WE ARE GOING FOR THE FLAG!

[Con Gorozidis]

I'm a bit conflicted and tormented .

Whenever I think of our core group I'm very confident we will be top 4. But then I think of our 20-25 year old group and our 50 to 100 game group and I get depressed how weak that group is.

So putting it all together I have nfi. I just feel stressed. Can't wait for the season to start.

[The Redeemer]

I'm a bit conflicted and tormented .

Whenever I think of our core group I'm very confident we will be top 4. But then I think of our 20-25 year old group and our 50 to 100 game group and I get depressed how weak that group is.

So putting it all together I have nfi. I just feel stressed. Can't wait for the season to start.

Similar sentiments Conald.

Our core group is one of the best/the best in the league when up and about however the middle/lower tier of players can look plain awful on occasion.

This is partly because we have had such a settle side for 5+ seasons however our drafting (I believe the final year of GT) and a few during RL has bent us over and given us a bit of an unwanted reaming

[SaintPav]

I'm a bit conflicted and tormented .

Whenever I think of our core group I'm very confident we will be top 4. But then I think of our 20-25 year old group and our 50 to 100 game group and I get depressed how weak that group is.

So putting it all together I have nfi. I just feel stressed. Can't wait for the season to start.

Similar sentiments Conald.

Our core group is one of the best/the best in the league when up and about however the middle/lower tier of players can look plain awful on occasion.

This is partly because we have had such a settle side for 5+ seasons however our drafting (I believe the final year of GT) and a few during RL has bent us over and given us a bit of an unwanted reaming

Very classy. You're on the wrong type of forum.

[Con Gorozidis]

I dont mean the individual players in that group (50-100 gamers) are weak.

IM a MASSIVE fan of jack and macca and armo.

im merely saying - that the list should be more balanced. we need 6-8 guys in that group. Not the 3 or 4 we have.

if you graphed our list by age it would have two humps at either end - instead of a normal curve.

anyway. it is what it is! lets say what we can do!

[Cairnsman]

Every year we should "go for the flag."

There shouldn't be a year where we don't "go for the flag."

We are a football club. We exist to win flags. If we weren't "going for the flag," what would we be doing?

It's like a game of football.

I would have thought that no team ever steps on the park not thinking "we're going to try to win." I'd be disgusted if any St.Kilda team ever goes into a match not trying their best to win, or into any season not going for the flag. That's what it's all about. That's the point of it all.

And that's why I just don't get it when people say, "I hope/think we should bottom out." It's NEVER okay to lose. Even if you get a higher draft pick or two, losing is never okay, and you always go for the win.

There is a difference, though, between "going for the flag" and truly believing you can win the flag. Port Adelaide will be going for the flag, but I doubt they believe they can win it. At St.Kilda, however, I think there IS genuine belief that it can be done.

In my view, there are only 6 sides who genuinely believe they can win the flag next year.

They are, in order of favoritism:

Collingwood
Hawthorn
Geelong
Carlton
St.Kilda
West Coast

The premier will come from this lot.

I would add Richmond to that list. They will do a WestCoast this year.

If richmond make it, who goes out?

I hate to say it, but in my opinion I think we will slide this year, so us.

[Con Gorozidis]

richmond = 9th

[Cairnsman]

richmond = 9th

Richmond = 4th

[hungry for a premiership]

If Richmond finish higher than us on the ladder in 2012, I will post nude pictures of myself.

No way is that going to happen.

And if Gilbo, Kosi, Jack, Mac, Armo improve, and we get solid input from a Stanley, Wilkes, Saad, or Ledger, I believe our "2nd tier" will be good enough for a top 4 finish.

Add another solid season from Milne, Schneids, Jones, and improvement in Roo, Lenny, BJ, and it's a premiership, baby.

[Dr Spaceman]

If Richmond finish higher than us on the ladder in 2012, I will post nude pictures of myself.

Well seeing as we don't know if you're male or female, young or old, fat or skinny etc, can you post a picture of yourself fully clothed now.

At least then we'll know whether a break out season by the Tigers would be a good thing or a horrific thing

[hungry for a premiership]

If Richmond finish higher than us on the ladder in 2012, I will post nude pictures of myself.

Well seeing as we don't know if you're male or female, young or old, fat or skinny etc, can you post a picture of yourself fully clothed now.

At least then we'll know whether a break out season by the Tigers would be a good thing or a horrific thing

I'd rather keep you in suspense.

But don't worry, it won't happen.

[samoht]

We will not win a flag with 3 small forwards - not even Collingwood or Geelong could do that.
When I see people suggesting Milne, Schneider and/or Saad , Steven all in the forward line at once - that's half the forward line with smalls, I'm thinking am I the only one who could see that it's not going to work.

To have any chance of winning the flag we need to unearth a couple of good quick, evasive, medium sized forwards who can win 13-15 possessions each , take some strong marks as well as apply the forward pressure that we have been lacking and that our small forwards cannot provide.
Our small forwards will only get outmarked and out-muscled.

I'd rather be playing 2 medium sized kids each week and one small forward instead of 3.

[Cairnsman]

If Richmond finish higher than us on the ladder in 2012, I will post nude pictures of myself.

No way is that going to happen.

And if Gilbo, Kosi, Jack, Mac, Armo improve, and we get solid input from a Stanley, Wilkes, Saad, or Ledger, I believe our "2nd tier" will be good enough for a top 4 finish.

Add another solid season from Milne, Schneids, Jones, and improvement in Roo, Lenny, BJ, and it's a premiership, baby.

If that's the case then my advice would be to shop them around before posting them for free!

[PJ]

We will not win a flag with 3 small forwards - not even Collingwood or Geelong could do that.
When I see people suggesting Milne, Schneider and/or Saad , Steven all in the forward line at once - that's half the forward line with smalls, I'm thinking am I the only one who could see that it's not going to work.

To have any chance of winning the flag we need to unearth a couple of good quick, evasive, medium sized forwards who can win 13-15 possessions each , take some strong marks as well as apply the forward pressure that we have been lacking and that our small forwards cannot provide.
Our small forwards will only get outmarked and out-muscled.

I'd rather be playing 2 medium sized kids each week and one small forward instead of 3.

If Simpkin can take FB then Wilkes will be tried up forward - 100 kilos should be enough bulk to throw around. Sipposs should also get game time - how consistent will he be? Who knows.

[St. Luke]

I think we'll see an exciting brand of footy this coming season. I think last season was to be expected. We sparked excitement here and there but failed to ignite any real fire in the belly.... and how could we have? Two back to back, super close, failed attempts at flags. Admittedly lost to one team who stamped their name into the history books with a devastating 6+ yr dominance. The Cats won't be finished next season either. The Pies, also instrumental in their last 2 seasons with incredible poise and skill. Realistically we've risen up against two dominant teams and could hold our heads high nearly beating them both.

Get ready for 2012! I'm pumped!

[clarky449]

I think we'll see an exciting brand of footy this coming season. I think last season was to be expected. We sparked excitement here and there but failed to ignite any real fire in the belly.... and how could we have? Two back to back, super close, failed attempts at flags. Admittedly lost to one team who stamped their name into the history books with a devastating 6+ yr dominance. The Cats won't be finished next season either. The Pies, also instrumental in their last 2 seasons with incredible poise and skill. Realistically we've risen up against two dominant teams and could hold our heads high nearly beating them both.

Get ready for 2012! I'm pumped!

Dont get your hopes up. Remember this is a team that has been a dour defensive unit for quite a number of years now. You cant just expect it to change overnight.

[happy feet]

Sorry to be a negative person here, but clubs like ours, Western Bulldogs, North, Tigers and the Demons will not win a flag ever again. The way the comp is run, the interstate teams and favourtism via the draw to clubs with big memberships and $$ will make it a miracle if we even go close ever again. I love the Saints but am very disallusioned with the AFL.

[plugger66]

Sorry to be a negative person here, but clubs like ours, Western Bulldogs, North, Tigers and the Demons will not win a flag ever again. The way the comp is run, the interstate teams and favourtism via the draw to clubs with big memberships and $$ will make it a miracle if we even go close ever again. I love the Saints but am very disallusioned with the AFL.

Is that based on Geelong nearly going bankrupt 7 years ago?

[8856brother]

I think we'll see an exciting brand of footy this coming season. I think last season was to be expected. We sparked excitement here and there but failed to ignite any real fire in the belly.... and how could we have? Two back to back, super close, failed attempts at flags. Admittedly lost to one team who stamped their name into the history books with a devastating 6+ yr dominance. The Cats won't be finished next season either. The Pies, also instrumental in their last 2 seasons with incredible poise and skill. Realistically we've risen up against two dominant teams and could hold our heads high nearly beating them both.

Get ready for 2012! I'm pumped!

Dont get your hopes up. Remember this is a team that has been a dour defensive unit for quite a number of years now. You cant just expect it to change overnight.

A full pre season is a bit longer than "overnight" I personally will be disapointed if I don't see some positive attacking changes to the GP in the early part of the season. I am also confidant the players have been waiting for something different and will embrace it.

[Cairnsman]

Sorry to be a negative person here, but clubs like ours, Western Bulldogs, North, Tigers and the Demons will not win a flag ever again. The way the comp is run, the interstate teams and favourtism via the draw to clubs with big memberships and $$ will make it a miracle if we even go close ever again. I love the Saints but am very disallusioned with the AFL.

I'm not sure about ever but it will probably be about around the 15 year mark before we have another team capable of something sililar to the relative success we have enjoyed for the last few years. That's how a socialistic system works. Under the current system you need to bottom out for a few years. It's what we did and it almost delivered us a flag.

Some might argue that it will only be another 5 or seven years and they might be right but in either case it is my opinion we will still need to pick up a wooden spoon or two to hopefully top up with a couple of the elite category players. And ofcourse you need all of the other things that win flags like good admin, money, facilities etc.

All I hope is that it happens before I check out.

[SMS]

We will win the flag this year. The boys are flying and the draftees nearly all of them are top 22 material now!

Going to be a great year. The boys aren't done yet. This is a very VERY special group of players ... they will win it this year!

Will hardly lose a game. Will drop one to three due to tapering off for finals.

Say hi to the 2012 premiership 22.

Dempster Gilbert Gwilt
Cripps Fisher Dal Santo
Steven Hayes Ray
Schnieder Riewoldt Saad
Milne Koschitzke Goddard

McEvoy Montagna Jones

Ross Stanley Gram SUB: Blake

----------------------------
Jones, Reiwoldt, Gram and Gilbert are very proud players and they are flying and will return in 2012 back to their 2009 form!

Tell me that isnt a brilliant team!

[clarky449]

We will win the flag this year. The boys are flying and the draftees nearly all of them are top 22 material now!

Going to be a great year. The boys aren't done yet. This is a very VERY special group of players ... they will win it this year!

Will hardly lose a game. Will drop one to three due to tapering off for finals.

Say hi to the 2012 premiership 22.

Dempster Gilbert Gwilt
Cripps Fisher Dal Santo
Steven Hayes Ray
Schnieder Riewoldt Saad
Milne Koschitzke Goddard

McEvoy Montagna Jones

Ross Stanley Gram SUB: Blake

----------------------------
Jones, Reiwoldt, Gram and Gilbert are very proud players and they are flying and will return in 2012 back to their 2009 form!

Tell me that isnt a brilliant team!

Thats a good team, Not Brilliant. May just sneak into the 8 hopefully

[MCG-Unit]

We will win the flag this year. The boys are flying and the draftees nearly all of them are top 22 material now!

Going to be a great year. The boys aren't done yet. This is a very VERY special group of players ... they will win it this year!

Will hardly lose a game. Will drop one to three due to tapering off for finals.
Say hi to the 2012 premiership 22.

Dempster Gilbert Gwilt
Cripps Fisher Dal Santo
Steven Hayes Ray
Schnieder Riewoldt Saad
Milne Koschitzke Goddard

McEvoy Montagna Jones

Ross Stanley Gram SUB: Blake

----------------------------
Jones, Reiwoldt, Gram and Gilbert are very proud players and they are flying and will return in 2012 back to their 2009 form!

Tell me that isnt a brilliant team!

Good side, maybe you could include Armitage and Peake on an extended I/C bench.....
Hopefully make September action first then see what happens.

[The Fireman]

I'll bet this type of post is on about every other footy forum. lol Gotta love footy and it's die hards. It's all about being positive right ? Not being negative here just having a chuckle to myself after seeing the same thing for about 40 years

[Con Gorozidis]

I must a die hard. I still reckon we have one last crack at it this year.

This is based on two things :
1. what geelong did last year with a new a coach and after losing a champ player.
2. If u take a good hard look at the competition it seems a bit weak in general. There are no stand out sides. Everyone is vulnerable to injuries.

I'm with pj - if- and its a very big if - simpkin can hold fb it gives us some real flexibility fwd.

Wilkes can play ff. And siposs and markworth will both compete for a spot.
We might have a dangerous less predictable fwd line.

[SaintPav]

I must a die hard. I still reckon we have one last crack at it this year.

This is based on two things :
1. what geelong did last year with a new a coach and after losing a champ player.
2. If u take a good hard look at the competition it seems a bit weak in general. There are no stand out sides. Everyone is vulnerable to injuries.

I'm with pj - if- and its a very big if - simpkin can hold fb it gives us some real flexibility fwd.

Wilkes can play ff. And siposs and markworth will both compete for a spot.
We might have a dangerous less predictable fwd line.

Unfortunatley, the team most likely to do a Geelong in 2012 will be Collingwood. They only lost a couple of games for the year, they have a new coach which will help freshen them up a bit and most importantly, their players are still quite young.