Sandy Zebras Practice game

[Offbe]

Just came back from Trevor Barker Oval.

Raph was looking very fit and was probably the best out there for the Zebras. He should definately play round one I reckon.

Schnieder did some good things and looked good to go.

Eddy's knee looked fine.

Little Tunga looked flashy but really needs to bulk up, he is tiny.

Tom Lynch was a bit quiet but tried hard and took some strong marks.

Goose was focused and vocal. He did OK, he may need a few more games though for real match fitness.

At the end Raph, Shneider and Eddy came off a bit earlier which may be an indication that they are in contention for next week.

Ross Lyon was there and we saw Roo, Kosi Baker, CJ, Armo and a few others.

[Quixote]

Thanks for that!

So it seems our only injury worries are Max, Armo and X perhaps? (Apart from Allen and Dempster)

[St Fidelius]

Thanks for that!

So it seems our only injury worries are Max, Armo and X perhaps? (Apart from Allen and Dempster)

Lets hope so..

I am still a little concerned with Gram though.

He only lasted 5 odd minutes in the intraclub match and went straight into the rooms and I spotted him in the stand directly behind me some time later, with the other players that weren't playing.

The only other match he played in was just one half of football about three weeks back.

Hardly a great preparation, just a half a match coming into the first round

[falka]

I thought Roo and X were going to play. Was that not the case?

[St Fidelius]

I thought Roo and X were going to play. Was that not the case?

I am pretty sure that Ross Lyon was quoted in the newspaper as saying that Roo will be rested this weekend to be fresh for the Round 1.

He also stated that he may not be 100% in round 1, but that a rest this weekend was the preferred choice

[Offbe]

No Roo and no X. Roo was there, but he was watching. I didn't see X.

[sunsaint]

I would have thought begley may have had a run as well.
not because of injury concerns but to see how we are going to use him.

[plugger66]

I would have thought begley may have had a run as well.
not because of injury concerns but to see how we are going to use him.

He has played every game so he wouldnt be allowed. Also Sandy were playing not us so all we would have seen is how Sandy would use him.

[Enrico_Misso]

Damn I forgot it was on.

[Solar]

there goes the theory that raph wont play round 1

x has also played a couple of practice matches... in fact more then roo....

good to hear about eddy

lynch just needs time IMO

[lendog heaven]

BJ, Jarryd Allen, Ben Mc, Begley also there. Thought Goose really put his hand up for next week - played virtually the whole game in stinking hot conditions - lots of run, marked and kicked well - can't be any greater risk agst thug Hall than Zac D? Tom Lynch will be a real asset as a 3rd lead up fwd once he gets a few games under his belt. Eddy missed every target as usual.

[Bernard Shakey]

Goose didn't touch the ball in the first half, and he was out there the whole time.

He needs to play half a dozen games for Sandy before being considered for a senior game.

[saintbrat]

http://au.sports.yahoo.com/afl/news/art ... kely-round
Maguire, Williams unlikely for round one
AAP - March 21, 2009, 7:38 pm

St Kilda defender Matt Maguire and Western Bulldogs backman Tom Williams are both unlikely to play in the opening AFL round despite continuing their comebacks with solid weekend hit-outs in the VFL.

Maguire, who played just four games last season because of foot stress fractures, played almost a full practice game for the Saints' VFL affiliate Sandringham against Williamstown on Saturday.

Raph Clarke and Adam Schneider were other experienced Saints players to take to the field for the VFL club.

Williams, working his way back from an ankle injury, played about 70 minutes for Williamstown.

Maguire, who has had a terrible run of injuries in recent seasons, moved well and took some impressive contested marks.

It was his second practice match of the pre-season, along with two intraclub games and Sandringham coach Andy Lovell, who is also the Saints' development coach, said there were good signs.

"All he's been trying to do is get his body in a condition to play competitive footy," Lovell said.

"Today was the first time that he started to look like he was running on top of the ground rather than just labouring."

Lovell said Maguire also showed that his decision making and judgment in marking contests were returning to their former level.

But he suggested he was unlikely to be part of the Saints' season-opener against Sydney at Telstra Dome next Saturday night.

"He's pressing his case really well, but bearing in mind today's the first time he's really showed that he's starting to get back to some sort of form and match fitness, he might be still a bit off," Lovell said.

Similarly, Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said Williams was likely to need another run at VFL level.

"I would think he would probably miss round one and hopefully be right for round two," Eade told Melbourne's SEN radio.

Williams admitted that while he felt physically sound, he was still regaining touch.

"It's hard to pick it up sometimes," he said.

"I feel really good but I've just got to pick up all the little things in the game, so that's taken a bit of time."

The clubs had gained for permission for their star forwards - Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt and the Bulldogs' Robert Murphy - to play in the VFL, with both also working their way back after injury, but neither played.

Eade said that Murphy, coming off knee surgery, had pulled up sore after last weekend's practice game, although he was able to train solidly on Friday.

But there was reluctance to play both Murphy and Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney, who has also had a restricted pre-season, in next Sunday's Subiaco meeting with Fremantle.

"With the travel to Perth and the big ground, whether we can take two players who haven't had as much game time as others, we have to decide that during the week," Eade said.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>...

[Bernard Shakey]

Do we really need all the rubbish about the Doggies in this post.

We are interested in Goose, but who the canal is Williams?

[goodie]

Do we really need all the rubbish about the Doggies in this post.

We are interested in Goose, but who the canal is Williams?

Number 6 in the draft a few years ago, pick after Franklin. Tall ex-rugby player who's been groomed to play CHB but keeps breaking down.

I was more amused with the line:

The clubs had gained for permission for their star forwards - Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt and the Bulldogs' Robert Murphy

Because of course both are similar calibre stars

[james rose]

My thoughts.


Most of the players didn't impress me to be honest

Goose looks a step behind play and most of the others didn't get a lot of it.

Raph looked a cut above but occasionally took too long making decisions.

Lynch was the best performed St Kilda player for mine... he ran to the right places and looked solid as a lead up forward... field kicking needs work.

[Quixote]

and Sandringham coach Andy Lovell, who is also the Saints' development coach,

I like this. A lot. This is a bloody good thing.


Anyone else want to recognise good work when it's due?

[saint66au]

Oh..and Williamstown won...easily

[steph]

My thoughts.


Most of the players didn't impress me to be honest

Goose looks a step behind play and most of the others didn't get a lot of it.

Raph looked a cut above but occasionally took too long making decisions.

Lynch was the best performed St Kilda player for mine... he ran to the right places and looked solid as a lead up forward... field kicking needs work.

Disagree. I thought Goose looked pretty good, got to most contests and remained composed when he has posession. Still lacks match fitness but thats to be expected. I have hopes after yesterday he should come good this season.

Raph was good, and Schneider was definitely a class above the rest.

Eddy was OK, nothing bad, nothing great.
Howard was average. Don't see any long term prospects with him

Jury's out on Lynch. Didn't do anything that i felt was overly impressive, fumbled a couple of handballs, and kicked it straight into the man on the mark from the pocket. May just be a case of lacking confidence and over-trying. Not writing the kid off by any means, i'm sure he'll come good, but definitely not an option for Round 1.

[Gracie]

Watched the game too. Pretty disappointing we couldn't be more competitive - no one to kick goals except no 14 for sandy - suatner. I thought schneider played really well AND he kicked a goal. They were taking good care of his hammies when he came off the field. Both Raph and Goose got better as the game progressed and seemed to play well together. Love Eddy's enthusiasm and plenty of people missed targets - I wouldn't single him out. (is he related to Brett Eddy who also played?)

Although Ross T was a bit quiet - seemed to run out of puff in the second half I saw make a great sideways bump on a bigger guy near the boundary line. It was done with real intent and threw the guy right off balance. He might be small but I reckon he's got plenty of aggression. Combined with his speed and flair I'm looking forward to watching him develop.

It was great to see the new players - they all looked keen and talented enough - my notables were Lynch (smart) and Blake McGrath (v tall and v cool). What did you others think of Simpkin, Gaertner and Haretuku?

Lots of on field support for Brad Howard - howie - but he still doesn't look comfortable under pressure.[/u][u][/u]

[BallBanger]

Watched the game too. Pretty disappointing we couldn't be more competitive - no one to kick goals except no 14 for sandy - suatner. I thought schneider played really well AND he kicked a goal. They were taking good care of his hammies when he came off the field. Both Raph and Goose got better as the game progressed and seemed to play well together. Love Eddy's enthusiasm and plenty of people missed targets - I wouldn't single him out. (is he related to Brett Eddy who also played?)

Although Ross T was a bit quiet - seemed to run out of puff in the second half I saw make a great sideways bump on a bigger guy near the boundary line. It was done with real intent and threw the guy right off balance. He might be small but I reckon he's got plenty of aggression. Combined with his speed and flair I'm looking forward to watching him develop.

It was great to see the new players - they all looked keen and talented enough - my notables were Lynch (smart) and Blake McGrath (v tall and v cool). What did you others think of Simpkin, Gaertner and Haretuku?

Lots of on field support for Brad Howard - howie - but he still doesn't look comfortable under pressure.[/u]

Did Alistair Smith, Heyes and Stanley play?

[Bernard Shakey]

No, no and no.

[steph]

i thought of the three other youngsters mentioned that Simpkin looked the best of them.

[Unforgiven]

Thought Goose really put his hand up for next week - played virtually the whole game in stinking hot conditions - lots of run, marked and kicked well - can't be any greater risk agst thug Hall than Zac D?.

Good to hear Goose played close to a full game. Reguarding the last sentance though, I'd actaully prefer a fit Zac Dawson against Hall, then Goose with half a Nab game and a VFL game under his belt.

Too many times in the past have we rolled the dice with unfit players and it has had poor results, I hope we have learned from those times.

[PJ]

Completely agree with the above post - Matt will be back but not if he's hurried. Easy does it!