Nic Nat vs Holmesy

[saintspremiers]

It's an AFL marketing dream and a reality check for Holmes!

I think it will be a great learning experience for Holmes, whom I'm expecting will get pasted. But that's ok, it's the end of the season. No real harm done.

[ROLS-LEE]

The tactic last week by Sydney was to use Tippet first and bulldoze him in the ruck while lifting the knee to the stomach. It worked. Never seemed to jump at the ball like last week.

Nicnat will kill him around the ground. Esp if he goes forward but how good would it be to see them in the ruck duel.

[bigballs]

Really hope Holmesy gives Nic Nat a hard game. I don't expect him to beat him, particularly around the ground, but what a great experience it will be for him.

Hope he changes jumpers with him after the game, how good will that be!!

[Goose is king]

Nic Nat like Holmes doesn't get a lot of the ball around the ground. He is dangerous up forward but Holmes shouldn't have to play in defense on him. Nic Nat is good at influencing a contest and clearances in a Rioli type manner, ie handy knock on, pressure acts and tackles and that is something Holmes surely lacks in comparison. Rucks learn into their late 20's so this should be good for Holmes.

[Junction Oval]

Every AFL game is a great learning curve for Holmes and it's good to see him get a few in a row.

it will be good to see the early jumping contest !

Nic's big weight advantage will give him a huge advantage at throw-ins.

[Toy Saint]

Holmes seemed to jump way too early against Sydney

[uptheboys]

Holmes seemed to jump way too early against Sydney

+1

[dragit]

It's an AFL marketing dream

2 black guys?

[mambo2706]

I'd be happy if Holmes turns out to be half as good as Nic Nat

[FQF]

Nic Nat is younger than Holmes. Holmes' age really is not on his side for his career prospects - he's not young.

[saintspremiers]

It's an AFL marketing dream

2 black guys?

Not just that but moreso both foreigners.

[plugger66]

It's an AFL marketing dream

2 black guys?

Not just that but moreso both foreigners.

Yes because hundreds extra went last week because of the same thing. Not.

[HitTheBoundary]

It's an AFL marketing dream

2 black guys?

Not just that but moreso both foreigners.

Is Sydney no longer part of Australia?

Nicnat was born there.

[FQF]

It's an AFL marketing dream

2 black guys?

Not just that but moreso both foreigners.

Is Sydney no longer part of Australia?

Nicnat was born there.

He probably means foreign heritage - his parents are Fijian. But seeing as a huge number of Australians would at least have foreigner grandparents it's probably more to do with the fact that he looks different.

[To the top]

I, for one, would not be getting too excited about this contest.

No doubt, Holmes has come a very long way in the time he has been on the St Kilda List - but he has even further to go in my opinion.

Last week Sydney were brutal, and exposed Holmes by rucking No 8 and pushing him and their other ruckman forward plus pushing them to contest options around the ground then directing the ball to them - finding Holmes out on each occasion.

Virtually we played one player short (excuse the pun!).

This and the fact that we could never "break" Sydney's zone including because they out structured (and selected) us, forcing us to chip then lose them then feeding back and back and across and across to isolate and free up a player forward as their target was made more brutal because we were one player short, which they maximised by keeping the contest around Holmes as a game plan until they had the player "out" and forward.

West Coast will do the same.

Wonderful romance.

But not AFL football, at least not until there is far, far more development of Holmes.

[To the top]

I, for one, would not be getting too excited about this contest.

No doubt, Holmes has come a very long way in the time he has been on the St Kilda List - but he has even further to go in my opinion.

Last week Sydney were brutal, and exposed Holmes by rucking No 8 and pushing him and their other ruckman forward plus pushing them to contest options around the ground then directing the ball to them - finding Holmes out on each occasion.

Virtually we played one player short (excuse the pun!).

This and the fact that we could never "break" Sydney's zone including because they out structured (and selected) us, forcing us to chip then lose them then feeding back and back and across and across to isolate and free up a player forward as their target was made more brutal because we were one player short, which they maximised by keeping the contest around Holmes as a game plan until they had the player "out" and forward.

West Coast will do the same.

Wonderful romance.

But not AFL football, at least not until there is far, far more development of Holmes.

[magnifisaint]

What a bloody mistake playing Holmes against Natanui. What chance did St.Kilda have?

[The Fireman]

We had a chance ???

[saintspremiers]

We had a chance ???

No. We never did. They had too much at stake and we're always going to win.

[plugger66]

We had a chance ???

No. We never did. They had too much at stake and we're always going to win.

Did they get more at the game because of the ruck contest?

[Junction Oval]

After last night's effort, it looks very doubtful that Holmes has any chance of making it.

[The Recruit]

Says more about where Hickey is at then Holmes...clearly Holmes is a substandard Ruckman. Smashed in the ruck against the best and struggles in all other areas of the game. ..you cannot carry anyone in afl footy these days. But why didn't Hickey play last night and why was he subbed off at half time last week?......effort. last week he was pathetic....not sure his review will be glowing tomorrow..If Hickey can lift and longer keeps improving our rucks will be elite...but Hickey has to get better.

[magnifisaint]

Holmsey showed us how good Longer is. Obviously they are trying to maximise Sandys chances in the final today by playing Hickey. I think they were also trying to show Holmes just how much he needs to improve to make it. Nic Nat destroyed him in the ruck. He still needs 2 more years in the VFL.

[matrix]

he is not strong enough (not big enough)
gets out positioned to easily

if he can bulk up a bit and gain strength without losing the leap he is in with a chance

if he cant do that then he can learn the game as much as he likes, it wont help

needs strength first

[magnifisaint]

he is not strong enough (not big enough)
gets out positioned to easily

if he can bulk up a bit and gain strength without losing the leap he is in with a chance

if he cant do that then he can learn the game as much as he likes, it wont help

needs strength first

Has no idea how to jump for marks and thinks too much before he kicks it. That's especially where Natanui showed him up. I would play Longer every day of the week ahead of Holmes. Longer will be a really good ruckman in the Goldstein mode.