Hate to say this but- Steven Baker

[plugger66]

One of my favourites, Steven Baker, is just about past his use by date. Some shocking errors last night and yes he wasnt on his own but it may be nearly time to look for another small backman. Also the inspector must be close to pulling up stumps as well. Never stops trying but was smashed last night.

[Eastern]

Further to this;

Can Simpkin replace Blakey? !!

[plugger66]

Further to this;

Can Simpkin replace Blakey? !!

The problem with Simpkin and probably most of our backline is they are non possesion winners and lack run. Simpkin could proabably play similar to Blake but it wouldnt dd anything apart from being younger. Id try Reg Varney.

[AnythingsPossibleSaints]

Further to this;

Can Simpkin replace Blakey? !!

Fairly seemlessly, I imagine. I would also have much rather had Lynch than Blake last night (except for when Blake was in the ruck for short periods, which would have to be all that's keeping him in the side).
Lynch reads the play really well, takes lots of marks and hits targets on a very regular basis. Whatever penance he has to serve, I sincerely hope it's over ASAP.

[Sobraz]

Agree and agree...

As for Simpkin, its against popular opinion on this forum, but in what Ive seen of him (2 Sandy live, 2 on ABC), and the little of last year, I think he is a very good, honest VFL player, and that is all...

I dont think he has the tools to step up to the AFL... The attitude and bravery, yes, the skills and general smarts are not there IMO...

Not sure who to replace Bakes with as that small defender, but P66, you're right with that call...

[Dr Spaceman]

Further to this;

Can Simpkin replace Blakey? !!

The problem with Simpkin and probably most of our backline is they are non possesion winners and lack run. Simpkin could proabably play similar to Blake but it wouldnt dd anything apart from being younger. Id try Reg Varney.

Not Olive?

[markp]

Yup, our weakest links were pretty obvious last night.

Big hearted warriors some of them no doubt are, but if they're not flag-team material, then it's time to exit them out.

[maverick]

One of my favourites, Steven Baker, is just about past his use by date. Some shocking errors last night and yes he wasnt on his own but it may be nearly time to look for another small backman. Also the inspector must be close to pulling up stumps as well. Never stops trying but was smashed last night.

100% with you both are done.
Very unfortunate, the end comes quick for some....

[dragit]

Sad that he missed basically a whole season through ridiculous suspensions - the farmer one (a sheppard with his back turned), paved the way for an insane sentence for the johnson one.

He's not quite done yet, so let's enjoy a bit more of his nuggety best…

[InkerSaint]

Hate to say this but you simply don't replace a player like Bakes.

You just hope to find a similar player that has their own brand of magic.

[clarky449]

Had a very good career, but now its time for him to step away and thank him for the past 10 or so years he has given us.

[desertsaint]

a very important player for us over the year as we blood the young guys.

[stinger]

Sad that he missed basically a whole season through ridiculous suspensions - the farmer one (a sheppard with his back turned), paved the way for an insane sentence for the johnson one.

…

nah...i used to think that...but he told a relative of mine that if anyone had seen what he really did to farmer...who he hated....he would have been rubbed out for life......i don't know why he played on into this year...was not his original intention...maybe the fire still burnt for that elusive flag....

[dcstkfc]

The tendency thus far in terms of kids has been to play them forward of the ball and leave the defensive as a port of solidarity.

Hence Gamble, Peake, McQualter and Blake (in the ruck/forward role) have been dropped, whereas Bakes, Blake (as a defender), Raph and Dempster are getting more chances.

[saintspremiers]

Yep time to get rid of our Bakes.

Shame but good call.

It's rebuild time.

[spert]

Baker to the middle- let's get some aggression back at the ball ups..too many outside runners waiting for easy kicks and not prepared to put head over the ball to win a contest, and boy was that obvious last night.

[Sainternist]

It's such a shame. He's been a terrific servant for the club. One of my favourite players. What a great tagger he was for his time. His crucifixion by the MRP didn't exactly help his cause last year and in 07(?) when accidently ran into Jeff Farmer.

[perfectionist]

Yep, 2007 Round 20.

He then got injured in his second game back and missed all the rest of 2008 too.

Jason is very much a confidence player. Both should play out the season unless someone presses really hard for selection with great form at Sandy(we wish).

[BakesFan]

Sad that he missed basically a whole season through ridiculous suspensions - the farmer one (a sheppard with his back turned), paved the way for an insane sentence for the johnson one.

…

nah...i used to think that...but he told a relative of mine that if anyone had seen what he really did to farmer...who he hated....he would have been rubbed out for life......i don't know why he played on into this year...was not his original intention...maybe the fire still burnt for that elusive flag....

Stinger, he told me exactly the same thing...
..that if anyone had seen what he really did to Farmer; he would have been rubbed out for life.........but I wasn't going to mention it until after Bakes retired.

Pretty sure Bakes knows this is his last Season... but who do you replace him with?

[gringo]

Bakes isn't done yet, and Simpkin despite being written off before getting to play is more a key position back. Walsh and simpkin are future backline keys. Lynch is the obvious replacement for bakes or Al Smith if a tagging type tight checking back. I think Lynch is probably seen as a Shaw type rebound runner.

[plugger66]

Bakes isn't done yet, and Simpkin despite being written off before getting to play is more a key position back. Walsh and simpkin are future backline keys. Lynch is the obvious replacement for bakes or Al Smith if a tagging type tight checking back. I think Lynch is probably seen as a Shaw type rebound runner.

I think Simpkin is being looked at for Blake not Baker. Also I am sorry but Lynch is nothing like a Shaw type player.

[PJ]

I think the man that can do the Baker role is Geary - all he needs at the moment is a good leg.

[jonesy]

Sad that he missed basically a whole season through ridiculous suspensions - the farmer one (a sheppard with his back turned), paved the way for an insane sentence for the johnson one.

…

nah...i used to think that...but he told a relative of mine that if anyone had seen what he really did to farmer...who he hated....he would have been rubbed out for life......i don't know why he played on into this year...was not his original intention...maybe the fire still burnt for that elusive flag....

Stinger, he told me exactly the same thing...
..that if anyone had seen what he really did to Farmer; he would have been rubbed out for life.........but I wasn't going to mention it until after Bakes retired.

Pretty sure Bakes knows this is his last Season... but who do you replace him with?

Was a good head butt but....

[Bernard Shakey]

The game passed Bakes by two years ago. We tend to hang on too long. He shouldn't have even been considered for last years finals.

[SainterK]

The game passed Bakes by two years ago. We tend to hang on too long. He shouldn't have even been considered for last years finals.

I could of sworn you were pushing for his collecting of his premiership medallion last year.