Saints in 2008?

Question

People over here in the West are talking them up for a big year, but I think their Premiership window has closed. What you guys reckon? And how have you all been?

Answer 1

If you could judge on pre season form Carlton would have played in at least 3 GF in the past 5 years.

After saying that they do have a few talls in the team and if they loaded up a forward line with Kozi, Roo, and Gardner, teams would be stretched down back.

Like every team this early in the season lets see how they are travelling with injury or suspension halfway through the year and how many rookies can take the step up to AFL.

Answer 2

Hi,

I have no idea how the Saints will go this year, I only hope the next time we play them, we beat them!!!

Oh, and the weather is cooler!

Answer 3

I think they're up for a big year this year. They're definitely a contender. I think this is their last chance for a few years at the big one though.

Answer 4

ok as a saints supporter this will look a little biased, but I swear it's not. Whether you believe me or not is up to you so here goes...

I think St Kilda are a genuine chance to win the 2008 premiership. Not as strong as Geelong. TAB has them as 2nd favourites to win the cup (only to the Cats) and I think they are worthy of this.

The ruck has been the Saints poorest area across the last "6-7 years" (more like 4 years). Yes we've had injuries and they were the problem for a while but last year was just an extremely poor season.

Also, do remember St Kilda lost to the eventual winner a couple times - 2004 to Sydney and 2005 to P.Adelaide. 2006 we lost in the elimination final and last year we were 9th. The saints have declined but their 'window' has not shut.

So, much of St Kilda's chances rest on King and M.Gardiner (and to a lesser extent Koschitzke and Rix). St Kilda's ruckmen have included: Koschitzke, J.Blake, Rix, M.Clarke, Brooks, Ackland, Knobel and Maguire (at one stage). While Blake has done an excellent job for his height and the others only providing a contest or worse, the only quality player has been Kozzie and he's been out injured for half of it.

With some good rucks to feed our great midfield - Hayes, Dal Santo, Montagna, Ball, Harvey, Fiora, X.Clarke, Baker (Tagger) and Armitage plus Schneider, Birss and C.Jones could move through their as well. Those first 5 names are better than or  very competitive against all other clubs' midfielders.

THose guys will be delivering the ball lace out to the likes of Riewoldt, Koschitzke, Gehrig and C.Gardiner with Schneider, Milne to pick up the loose ball and kick goals. ALso King and M.Gardiner can rotate through. Even with these guys though there are some good defences going around eg Adelaide's, Geelong's, Port's, Sydney's and potentially the Hawk's and Bomber's who could contain the Saints forwards.

But our defence is one of the best as well. Hudghton has been a great defender for years (but injuries have got him down lately) and Maguire is probably better but has the same problems. Sam Fisher has really stood up though and he continues to work hard down back. Also Sam Gilbert has been used as a key defender lately and can also be a running/attacking defender. The (slightly) smaller guys like Gram, X.Clarke, R.Clarke, Goddard (when he's recovered) and L.Fisher provide the extra spoils and run the ball out of the backline quite effectively. I think Dempster is a defender too but I don't know much about him.

THe reason why I mention so many names is because these are the saints players that will team together and defeat most other opponents. On paper we have the squad to win the premiership and in the pre-season St Kilda was the best team. The last time St Kilda won the pre-season cup we followed it up with 10 straight home & away wins.

Besides, some of the other teams aren't looking great - obviously last years bottom sides Melbourne and Richmond and other clubs like Collingwood, Western Bulldogs and Brisbane don't seem to be as strong as the Saints. I dunno why people talk Fremantle up, there are several teams better than them, Sydney have dropped a bit and Essendon and Carlton don't seem strong enough - yet.

So what I'm saying is the list StKilda have and that other clubs don't seem to be as strong (in skill, depth etc.) and that we've fixed a weak area of our game are all good reasons why the St Kilda Saints Football Club will win the 2008 AFL Premiership Cup. :) Oh yea... and preseason form can't hurt either, right?! (Unless you're Carlton)

Answer 5

saints lmao, theyre a bunch of soft tissue poosy's who will fold halfway through the year. people have been saying for the last 6 or 7 yrs the saints are the real deal and premiership favs n all that and they have never performed, cant see this yr being any different.... Geelong all the way, theyre the biggest best side going round atm, most complete outfit with plenty of stocks in reserve... saints might be able to chalk up a couple of wins against the likes of carlton richmond and melbourne....maybe ?

Answer 6

Hey Richo!!!

how you been?

I believe they have no hope for the Premiership.

For goodness sakes..They won by 5 points only.

Not a convincing win.

Answer 7

HEY richo,mate they played well in the pre comp but they wouldn't be my first,2nd or third pick for the flag,the saints seem to end up with a heap of injuries and tend to fall in a hole at the tail end of the season-and i don't think it will change.

Answer 8

they will be top 4 for sure, and i think they can go all the way

Answer 9

Hey Richo

like every year they will run out of puff

Answer 10

go the mighty bombers !

Answer 11

I'm a Saints fan

Answer 12

if there are like the blues win the preseason cup and the wooden spoon in the same year ... lol

Answer 13

i will stick with the Swans, thanks.

Answer 14

saints are and always will never be a top 8 teams

Answer 15

havent made my mind up about them, but i have the same mind set i think, if their forward line fires they can beat just about any one, i think reiwoldt needs to learn how to kick though, he misses easy goals like our richo.

Answer 16

Yea i think the saints can do it , we have been pretty consistent over the last 5-7 years. I don't think we have missed the boat, we have had a lot injuries if we keep fit we've got a big chance.

GO SAINTS.

Answer 17

I think they are very much in the running for the title, having said that, I think this is their last chance.

Answer 18

Love the Bombers and reckon they will be up there by 2010, but grand finallists 2008? Saints and Geelong - unless they have a horror run of injuries of course.