Bruce needs a pat on the back

[Rubyjo]

Membrey has lost the plot.

[mightysainters]

Huge game for Bruce, he was fantastic, need to just string some of these together

[The_Dud]

Yep, showed what he can do when on and, most importantly, kicking straight!

He and Membrey work well IMO because one always seems to be on if the other isn’t.

With a better structure and gameplan hopefully we see them both firing together more in the future.

[The_President]

I am a big Bruce basher. I don’t think we can progress with him as our number 1 option. But today he showed how damaging he can be when we actually lower our eyes and don’t Just bomb it.

He’s a strong boy, and can take a good grab... can also flat hand it and stuff it up.

Maybe this was a window into a world where we have a game plan that tells out kickers like Billings/Sav etc to lower their eyes and hit someone on the lead?

[B.M]

Good when he’s on, can go cold.

Had a good match up and exploited a rubbish defender in Thompson

Membrey, if he had a third defender, look out,

My ideal fwd line

Lonie, Membrey, Parker/Long
King, Bruce, Gresham

Int: Hind

Depth
Kent, Young, Another tall

[Sainternist]

Never understood the hate for Bruce. We got him in a bargain basement deal from GWS as a defender, FFS. There were absolutely no expectations for him to be as good as he has been before his first season with St.Kilda. After a breakout year, far too much pressure was placed on him for a repeat year. He still offers us a great deal and is quite versatile. He pulled in some great overhead marks today. And 6 straight goals was a fantastic performance.

[degruch]

Membrey has lost the plot.

We need another key target in our F50 and he will pick up.

[saintsRrising]

Membrey has lost the plot.

We need another key target in our F50 and he will pick up.

That plus mids who can deliver the ball well.

[bigcarl]

Membrey has lost the plot.

We need another key target in our F50 and he will pick up.

This has stood out like dogs balls all season.

It should have been fixed when Carlisle returned. Brown should have retained his spot and either Josh Battle or Carlisle should have gone forward.

The midfield is an equally pressing concern.

I like all of Steele, Ross and Dunstan, but they are all similar types. Hard at the ball but not particularly quick.Not particularly creative.

Add Hannebery and we have a conundrum. Too many of the same type.

This is something many have been saying for several years now, but nothing has been done ... a hallmark of Richo’s tenure.

Some of the above need to either play different roles or miss out, but that will be something for the new coach to solve.

This is why we must back in Gresham as a midfielder. He adds a point of difference. So do Acres and Clark.

And it shows how desperately we miss Steven’s breakaway speed.

Marshall has been a season’s highlight, but needs a chop out. It’s asking a lot of Bruce to kick six goals plus play second ruck.

I noted an interesting post on BigFooty that pointed out how young and inexperienced a side we fielded yesterday.

That’s partly been forced on us by injury, but long-term it may turn out to be a benefit.

Anyway, interesting times at the Saints. It may even get worse before it gets better, but to stick with the status quo is not going to cut it.

[Special]

Can we just make him interim captain for the rest of the season, because that’s how he played.

Time to give Seb a spell in the magoos- if Mr Conservative Vanilla has any clue left.

[Ghost Like]

Possibly the best game I've seen him play. Great game yesterday, hopefully it's a sign he's finally happy with his moustache and hair.

[bigcarl]

Great effort by Joshy. Maybe there’s hope for him yet as a key forward (though I still think we’d benefit from a third marking target).

Unusually he was able to make separation between him and his opponent. Leading to the right spots is the key forward’s bread and butter. Even Plugger, who was a sensational pack and contested mark, would have got most of his goals on the lead.

Of course, there’s got to be space there to lead into ... which hasn’t often been the case for the past few years.

[Yorkeys]

Indeed. Also young Clark. Got poleaxed by Zeibell and came back strong - echoes of Lenny and Archer years ago. May Hunter develop similarly to Len. I imagine our club got Zeibell's number and will give him a return bout next season. Shame Brown didn't play yesterday.

[Dis Believer]

I think it was noticeable how much Brucey's performance as a key forward seemed to improve when he didn't have to spend significant time as a second ruck - anything in that for us?

[B.M]

Who did play second ruck?

Not sure how that has any impact, having a run around in the middle for 5 minutes is not too difficult

[saynta]

Membrey has lost the plot.

The nth backs scragged him all night for no fee kicks.

[Dis Believer]

Who did play second ruck?

Not sure how that has any impact, having a run around in the middle for 5 minutes is not too difficult

It's a little more than "running around in the middle for 5 minutes".....and I think you know that and are being a little bit mischievous…...