Pre Season Competition

[3rd generation saint]

What should our attitude be towards the NAB Cup next season?

Should we go for it?, don't care about it?, or take it if we win good, if not don't care, but if we make it to semi's start taking it a little serious then.

The good news is that we are the last side to win it and still make the finals. 2004 & 2008.

I don't think anyone here did not enjoy winning the comp in either of those seasons.

[Eastern]

My attitude: WIN EVERYTHING !!

[clarky449]

My attitude: WIN EVERYTHING !!

Here Here

[saint66au]

Play the kids.

Winning the comp with a "best 22" each week generates zero hype and buzz, last year proved that.

Getting to the final tho with a "best 6" in a winning Semi of R.Clarke, Armitage, McEvoy, Steven, Lynch and Eddy WOUOLD generate a bit of buzz

IF we got knocked out in the first round with a team consisting of all our rookies and 1st/2nd year players...would not worry me in the slightest

[StSteven]

Win everything......play the kids. BUT WIN, LOSE or DRAW remember it means NOHING. We have fallen for that trap before. Just play the games, win ...but no excitement please.

They are only practice matches.

[Armoooo]

Every match we play we must play to win, having said that, our team selection should strongly focus on getting the right amount of run into our stars without over doing it and giving us the chance to test out untried kids and players in different positions...

[battye]

I'm always happy when we win the pre season competition. Every piece of silverware helps.

And also, I can't forget about 2004 and how our Wizard Cup form led to 'the streak'. Definitely we must try and win it.

[bigcarl]

usually i'd say win it.

this year i say experiment.

give the kids, and guys like goose and baker, a chance to grab a spot in round 1.

there are a few positions up for grabs including full forward.

keep our eyes on the main prize and ease some of the walk-up starts into the season.

[oh when]

Winning breeds success - like nothing else.

[saintsRrising]

What should our attitude be towards the NAB Cup next season?

.

1/ To get game time into those that need it most....but who are still a chance of being in the seniors in 2009 (ie McGrath etc are not a priority)

*** Younger and raw players (McEvoy, Steven, Miles etc)
*** Players returning from injury (Ball, Maguire, Baker)
*** Players that underperformed in 2008 (X)

2/ To try out some players in new positions to see how they perform

ie
Zac at FF
Maguire as a HFF
Begley as a HBF (not new for him, but new for the Saints).
L Fisher as an attacking mid as opposed to atagging mid.



Having saod the above you would also want to ratate the likely starting 22 through the games to get them all to find touch.

[CaptainRiewoldt]

NAB TEAM

First game would be aawesome to see

Begley Maguire R.Clarke
L.Fisher Koschitzke Ray
Gram Goddard Geary
Steven Lynch Jones
McQualter S.F|isher Eddy


McEvoy Ball Armitage

Gardiner McGarry Heyne .... rest of squad

[plugger66]

Treat it exactly as it is meant to be. Practice games. Try players in position you want to have a look at them in and if you happen to get to the GF then pick your best side.

[Enrico_Misso]

Treat it exactly as it is meant to be. Practice games. Try players in position you want to have a look at them in and if you happen to get to the GF then pick your best side.

Agree.
And play the kids.
You don't want Riewoldt being battered and bruised in these meaningless games.
Save him, Ball, Goddard, Hayes, Max etc. for the real stuff.

[PJ]

How many are we allowed on the bench??

Agree with the above 2 - try new structures and people in positions you want to see have a crack at.

When the real stuff comes around you don't have the luxury of trying hunches and wild card what ifs..

[tweedaletomanning]

Treat it exactly as it is meant to be. Practice games. Try players in position you want to have a look at them in and if you happen to get to the GF then pick your best side.

Here here!!

One of the Physios (who will remain unnamed) at the club actually labels it "the poisoned chalice"

[Pilgram]

it's an opportunity.
approx. $350,000 to the winner and over 200k for second place.
hardly meaningless.

[plugger66]

it's an opportunity.
approx. $350,000 to the winner and over 200k for second place.
hardly meaningless.

So should we play our best side then?

[Pilgram]

i dunno.
i think goosey needs a run.
everyone needs a run just to get ready for sydney in round one and with a view to adelaide at AAMI and being 2-and-0.
who knows.
what do you reckon plugger? just practice games?
should we invest any mental effort?

[Saint Bev]

Lets not forget we won last year playing the kids and interstate. So yes, we should always be playing to win.

[Solar]

Lets not forget we won last year playing the kids and interstate. So yes, we should always be playing to win.

we not only played the kids but used the time to get our rucks in decient form.

[evertonfc]

We are Arsenal and this is our Carling Cup.

So let's win it with kids.

[plugger66]

i dunno.
i think goosey needs a run.
everyone needs a run just to get ready for sydney in round one and with a view to adelaide at AAMI and being 2-and-0.
who knows.
what do you reckon plugger? just practice games?
should we invest any mental effort?

They are practice games for sure and I would expect RL to do the same as he did last year. Play kids as well as experienced players in different positions and if we are lucky ebough to make the GF play a few more experienced players. You can be assured every player out on the ground will be trying to win these practice games.