In round 5, St. Kilda recovered from one of the clubs worst losses in recent memory with one their best wins since their round-7 win over Carlton last season. Here's what I loved about this game.
They didn't mentally disengage after the first quarter. At quarter time they were down by 3 goals, and didn't look all that good. If not for a few missed kicks from set shots, the score would have been worse. It must have been very difficult for them not to see a continuation of round 4's calamity, and just give up. But they didn't give up, they pressed on and battled back.
They played a complete game. Sure there were short stints in which they lapsed a little, but kept pressing until the end. They had drawn even by half time, and steadily drew ahead in the third. Then they finished it off in the last term. Even when they looked a little tired, and the Dons looked a little inspired, StK held them off and finished strong.
Nick Riewoldt. Sure, he's always been a star, from day one. But this year, he's being a leader, and that's way more important. He's inspiring younger players to work harder, run faster, jump higher. He's helping Richo get his message out, and ensure everyone buys into it. He's pushing himself like a man who's out to prove to the world that he's not washed up (if anyone was thinking that) and show that this team with no superstar, mid-career player can still play some good footy (which almost everyone doubted). The energy and passion Riewoldt instills in this club are tangible. And it doesn't hurt that he's equal top in the Coleman race and nearly there in the marking contest.
Rhys Stanley, Adam Schneider, and Jack Steven. Man, it was so good to see Schneider back on the field. I've been missing his quick moves and quirky smile for a long time. And Steven has honestly got to be the fastest man in the world not running on a track. When he takes the ball and suddenly emerges from the scrum, it sometimes seems like some invisible force is pushing him. Seriously, it is amazing every time, and it makes the others look like they're jogging. Stanley had a bad season in 2013. He was continually stuck in a different position, and routinely beaten by his opponent. But if you look back to 2012, you'll recall that he played primarily in the forward line and he looked like a promising young star. I think it's because he has the mentality of a forward. When his aim is to mark the ball, instead of keep the other guy from marking, he does very well. And with his height and strong build, he could be as good as Kosi was at the apex of his career.
All the talent that wasn't even on the field. The Saints are beginning to look like a club with more talent than they can even use. What? Call me overly optimistic, or even just mad, but I'm serious. Think of all the talent in the club that wasn't seen on Saturday: Gilbert, Armitage, Ross (a few minutes), Fisher, Roberton, Lee, Siposs, Maister, Wright, Longer, Milera, Simpkin... all of these players are or have the potential to be contributors. That's really good news. I suppose most clubs have a similar stockpile, but I'm confident that as these players develop, the competition for spots in the list will be a powerful factor, and injuries/fatigue will have a diminished impact.
Overall, it was a great game, and it makes me excited to see what else they can do this season.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Monday, December 2, 2013
American Holmes Showing Promise
I have to say, as an American, I'm very excited about the idea of Jason Holmes playing for the Saints. The club leadership is impressed with the progress Holmes is making in his skills development. Really, I'm not surprised his ball handling skills have come so far so quickly, since Holmes was already a high-level athlete. One always makes the most gain in the first year of working on new skills. The real question will be how his game play comes along.
Skills vs. play - it's the classic disparity between how good you are and how well you play. Skills are what you've got; game play is what you do with them. A Spaceballs quote comes to mind.
It takes a long time to develop a strong understanding of the game and how to put one's skills to use. Just ask Rhys Stanley. We all know Stanley is tall, fit, and talented. But put him up against the best forwards in the league, say Cloke, Hawkins, Franklin, or Riewoldt... and he'll get schooled all day. Things like positioning, judging the ball in the air, timing your jumps, and myriad other nuanced aspects of the game take years to learn well. That's why a highly skilled youngster is rarely as effective as a seasoned player of above-average skills. That's why Riewoldt takes so many marks and is paid so many free kicks (ironically, Nick really needs to work on his kicking skills on set shots). And it's why Holmes won't be able to make a difference in the next couple years, unless he's a superstar athlete who's about to surprise the entire footy world (which would be pretty sweet).
The news that Holmes' skills are developing well is still great news. And it would be awesome if he could get a few games in this next season. My hope is that Richardson has a better handle on developing young players' game play than Watters did. If he does, Holmes and the rest of this young Saints team are going to be very powerful in the coming years.
Skills vs. play - it's the classic disparity between how good you are and how well you play. Skills are what you've got; game play is what you do with them. A Spaceballs quote comes to mind.
It takes a long time to develop a strong understanding of the game and how to put one's skills to use. Just ask Rhys Stanley. We all know Stanley is tall, fit, and talented. But put him up against the best forwards in the league, say Cloke, Hawkins, Franklin, or Riewoldt... and he'll get schooled all day. Things like positioning, judging the ball in the air, timing your jumps, and myriad other nuanced aspects of the game take years to learn well. That's why a highly skilled youngster is rarely as effective as a seasoned player of above-average skills. That's why Riewoldt takes so many marks and is paid so many free kicks (ironically, Nick really needs to work on his kicking skills on set shots). And it's why Holmes won't be able to make a difference in the next couple years, unless he's a superstar athlete who's about to surprise the entire footy world (which would be pretty sweet).
The news that Holmes' skills are developing well is still great news. And it would be awesome if he could get a few games in this next season. My hope is that Richardson has a better handle on developing young players' game play than Watters did. If he does, Holmes and the rest of this young Saints team are going to be very powerful in the coming years.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Saad Banned For 18 Months
The AFL tribunal has handed Ahmed Saad an 18-month ban.
The StKFC had this to say: we "will continue to provide the appropriate welfare support and assistance to Ahmed." Not sure what that means.
I said last week that I suspected they would not ban him for more than one season, and thankfully they did not. It doesn't appear they've levied any fines, but a loss of an entire season is plenty, in my view. I do find it disappointing that Essendon players are being given a pass partly because they claim ignorance of what was going into their bodies and because none of them officially failed a drug test. So I suppose there's not a lot the AFL can do to punish them. Still, it feels little like the AFL is taking out some of it's frustration on Saad. But what's done is done, and I'm glad Ahmed doesn't have to miss more than one season.
One move that is proving a good one was the decision to begin a provisional ban in August, since the AFL is willing to backdate the start of Saad's suspension to August 20. So props to whomever made that call.
What remains to be seen is whether Saad will be able to train with StK during the suspension. AFL.com is calling the punishment a ban, while StK is calling it a suspension. Maybe those words are being used interchangeably, but the club hasn't committed to anything specific. Saad has been omitted from the Colorado trip, which makes sense. After that, we'll find out more. I'd love to ask them about it next week.
It would be awesome to see Saad come back in 2015 and have a great career. I firmly believe an example is being made of him, and I'd love to see him overcome it.
The StKFC had this to say: we "will continue to provide the appropriate welfare support and assistance to Ahmed." Not sure what that means.
I said last week that I suspected they would not ban him for more than one season, and thankfully they did not. It doesn't appear they've levied any fines, but a loss of an entire season is plenty, in my view. I do find it disappointing that Essendon players are being given a pass partly because they claim ignorance of what was going into their bodies and because none of them officially failed a drug test. So I suppose there's not a lot the AFL can do to punish them. Still, it feels little like the AFL is taking out some of it's frustration on Saad. But what's done is done, and I'm glad Ahmed doesn't have to miss more than one season.
One move that is proving a good one was the decision to begin a provisional ban in August, since the AFL is willing to backdate the start of Saad's suspension to August 20. So props to whomever made that call.
What remains to be seen is whether Saad will be able to train with StK during the suspension. AFL.com is calling the punishment a ban, while StK is calling it a suspension. Maybe those words are being used interchangeably, but the club hasn't committed to anything specific. Saad has been omitted from the Colorado trip, which makes sense. After that, we'll find out more. I'd love to ask them about it next week.
It would be awesome to see Saad come back in 2015 and have a great career. I firmly believe an example is being made of him, and I'd love to see him overcome it.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Saints Moving Forward
It was refreshing to see this and this on AFL.com today. For all the negativity surrounding the period since the end of the 2013 season, I am still hopeful the Saints can have a successful season next year.
They've got a lot of work ahead of them, of course, and certainly, every club is out there doing this same sort of training right now. And while I wouldn't expect anyone to complain about the new coach on his first day, it's still nice to hear some positive sentiments from a club that's been so beaten down of late.
I'm excited for the upcoming trip to Colorado (have been for months). I hope to get the chance to talk to a few players about the outlook for the future and how they think things are going. Three players I really enjoyed talking to last year were Dal Santo, McEvoy, and Saad. I won't be seeing the first two again; we'll see about the latter. I was encouraged to see a picture of Saad working out with the team. That gives me hope that StK will do their best to support him.
They've got a lot of work ahead of them, of course, and certainly, every club is out there doing this same sort of training right now. And while I wouldn't expect anyone to complain about the new coach on his first day, it's still nice to hear some positive sentiments from a club that's been so beaten down of late.
I'm excited for the upcoming trip to Colorado (have been for months). I hope to get the chance to talk to a few players about the outlook for the future and how they think things are going. Three players I really enjoyed talking to last year were Dal Santo, McEvoy, and Saad. I won't be seeing the first two again; we'll see about the latter. I was encouraged to see a picture of Saad working out with the team. That gives me hope that StK will do their best to support him.
Friday, November 15, 2013
What a Saad Story
Watching Ahmed Saad play the last couple seasons has been a delight. His cheerful demeanor, his winning smile, his goofy, 23-step approach... it's all been great. Even learning of his commitment to his religious principles, to the point of observing Ramadan fasting rules during the season. That takes dedication, and altogether Saad is the kind of player whom fans and teammates can admire. I, for one, was very excited to see his continued development.
I say was because the Saints decided to de-list him as they await the outcome of this tribunal. It's a very disappointing move, in a story that's been even more disappointing.
Saad faces as much as a two-year ban, but I doubt he'll be punished that severely. Considering that not one Essendon player has yet been punished in any way, I think it would be extremely unfair to put this young player's career in jeopardy for this offense. More likely in my view, he'll get a 12-game suspension with a hefty fine, or possibly as much as an entire year ban. But I believe a ban is different from a suspension in that a suspended player can continue to train with the team, and maybe even play in the VFL while banned players must have no contact whatever with the club. That might not be the official distinction, but that's how I distinguish them. So a suspension would be preferrable.
StK have hinted that if Saad is indeed banned for two years, they will probably let him go for good. What a shame. His career is only just beginning and I think he stood a chance to become a fan favorite. No matter what punishment is handed down, I would love to see the Saints give this kid all the support they can. If he may continue to train while suspended, let him do so. If he is not allowed to be part of the club, help him find a way to stay fit and ready to play. It may cost a little bit, and it may not pay off. Yet to simply write him off as done, at 24 years old, for a fairly minor offense (in the grand scheme of things), would be a let down.
I won't say the club owes it to him; maybe Saad is more culpable than it seems. For all I know, he was warned not to take the questionable supplement. And maybe some team leaders would say there's no way a club can do anything for him. I'm only a fan, after all. From my perspective, though, I think they can find a way to save his career and I think it will be worth it in the end.
I say was because the Saints decided to de-list him as they await the outcome of this tribunal. It's a very disappointing move, in a story that's been even more disappointing.
Saad faces as much as a two-year ban, but I doubt he'll be punished that severely. Considering that not one Essendon player has yet been punished in any way, I think it would be extremely unfair to put this young player's career in jeopardy for this offense. More likely in my view, he'll get a 12-game suspension with a hefty fine, or possibly as much as an entire year ban. But I believe a ban is different from a suspension in that a suspended player can continue to train with the team, and maybe even play in the VFL while banned players must have no contact whatever with the club. That might not be the official distinction, but that's how I distinguish them. So a suspension would be preferrable.
StK have hinted that if Saad is indeed banned for two years, they will probably let him go for good. What a shame. His career is only just beginning and I think he stood a chance to become a fan favorite. No matter what punishment is handed down, I would love to see the Saints give this kid all the support they can. If he may continue to train while suspended, let him do so. If he is not allowed to be part of the club, help him find a way to stay fit and ready to play. It may cost a little bit, and it may not pay off. Yet to simply write him off as done, at 24 years old, for a fairly minor offense (in the grand scheme of things), would be a let down.
I won't say the club owes it to him; maybe Saad is more culpable than it seems. For all I know, he was warned not to take the questionable supplement. And maybe some team leaders would say there's no way a club can do anything for him. I'm only a fan, after all. From my perspective, though, I think they can find a way to save his career and I think it will be worth it in the end.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
It's Easy to Criticize With Hindsight
With the draft approaching, past draft choices naturally becomes a popular subject in articles and blog posts. But this article on AFL.com was a little misguided, IMHO.
The article goes through, club by club, the most successful and most costly draft picks in history. I do think it's neat to see how picks in the later rounds turned out to be spectacular players. That's just fun. However, to call out all the high draft picks who never reached their potential and call them "misses" seems a little flaky.
Every year, there's lots of talk about which players are the best picks, the surest bets, the ones everyone agrees are destined for stardom. And then there are a whole bunch of other players who get drafted and make up the majority of the sides we see on the field every week. With the top picks, clubs always take the high-profile players, whether they really "need" them or not. After that, each club does its best to fill immediate or imminent holes with the best player available.
Occasionally, the un-heralded draftees become great players, which makes for a great story. And sometimes the hyped-up players never go on to greatness, at least not at their first club. But unless you were there advising publicly and clearly against a specific player, what point is there in declaring, years later, that choosing him was a "miss"? Especially if injuries were the primary factor in the player's inadequacy? For example:
I would certainly agree that these players ended up being huge disappointments to all involved, and that's a valid topic of discussion. But again, unless you were the prescient soothsayer, it doesn't seem very helpful to present the topic as if the club messed up and could have chosen so many other great players.
The article goes through, club by club, the most successful and most costly draft picks in history. I do think it's neat to see how picks in the later rounds turned out to be spectacular players. That's just fun. However, to call out all the high draft picks who never reached their potential and call them "misses" seems a little flaky.
Every year, there's lots of talk about which players are the best picks, the surest bets, the ones everyone agrees are destined for stardom. And then there are a whole bunch of other players who get drafted and make up the majority of the sides we see on the field every week. With the top picks, clubs always take the high-profile players, whether they really "need" them or not. After that, each club does its best to fill immediate or imminent holes with the best player available.
Occasionally, the un-heralded draftees become great players, which makes for a great story. And sometimes the hyped-up players never go on to greatness, at least not at their first club. But unless you were there advising publicly and clearly against a specific player, what point is there in declaring, years later, that choosing him was a "miss"? Especially if injuries were the primary factor in the player's inadequacy? For example:
Biggest miss: Scott GumbletonMy guess is Gumbleton was considered a stellar player in 2006, and no one thought it was foolish to pick him instead of the other players mentioned.
It's been well documented that the Bombers used pick No. 2 on the key forward in 2006, only to watch as he struggled to overcome injury after injury. Lachie Hansen, Matthew Leuenberger, Travis Boak, Joel Selwood, Ben Reid and Jack Riewoldt are among the names that went after him in that draft. Essendon cut its losses last month, trading Gumbleton to Fremantle for pick 55, after just 35 senior games for the Bombers.
I would certainly agree that these players ended up being huge disappointments to all involved, and that's a valid topic of discussion. But again, unless you were the prescient soothsayer, it doesn't seem very helpful to present the topic as if the club messed up and could have chosen so many other great players.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Milne's Saga
Stephen Milne's rape trial is in its early stages, and it's turning out to be a sad, disheartening mess.
When news broke a few months ago that Milne would be charged for the 2004 incident, I think very little was known about it. I wasn't a footy fan in 2004, so I don't know what came out in the press at that time. But I suspect that since the charges were dropped, the public was told only that a woman had accused Milne of rape, it was at Montagna's house, and nothing more would come of it. Skip ahead 9 years and things are very different.
This time the case is being heard fully and publicly, and it's not flattering. I'll let you read the salacious details, but the reputations of Milne and Montagna have been tarnished, to say the least. Whether Milne is found guilty or not, we all now know that they made some extremely poor decisions that night, indicative of less-than-admirable morals. Also, Montagna will have to testify for the court, which may have fallout of its own.
I know people make mistakes; I know people change, they mature, they grow up. I know a lot of my disappointment stems from my personal opinion of these two players (I like both of them a lot). And, of course, Milne and Montagna were 24 and 21, respectively, and new to fame and wealth. It's hard to know how that plays on one's decision-making ability. I made mistakes at 21, and I was neither famous nor wealthy. But when you become a professional athlete, you cease to be a kid; you are an adult being paid a lot of money and expected to handle yourself with dignity and discernment.
This club has had other incidents involving sexual indiscretion and insobriety. Every player whose been in the league more than a couple years needs to see himself as a role model, and know that his actions and attitudes are influencing younger players. Players spend a lot of time together, and peer pressure is arguably one of the most powerful forces guiding behavior in a club. This sad story underscores how crucial it is for the players to make sure this pressure is positive.
When news broke a few months ago that Milne would be charged for the 2004 incident, I think very little was known about it. I wasn't a footy fan in 2004, so I don't know what came out in the press at that time. But I suspect that since the charges were dropped, the public was told only that a woman had accused Milne of rape, it was at Montagna's house, and nothing more would come of it. Skip ahead 9 years and things are very different.
This time the case is being heard fully and publicly, and it's not flattering. I'll let you read the salacious details, but the reputations of Milne and Montagna have been tarnished, to say the least. Whether Milne is found guilty or not, we all now know that they made some extremely poor decisions that night, indicative of less-than-admirable morals. Also, Montagna will have to testify for the court, which may have fallout of its own.
I know people make mistakes; I know people change, they mature, they grow up. I know a lot of my disappointment stems from my personal opinion of these two players (I like both of them a lot). And, of course, Milne and Montagna were 24 and 21, respectively, and new to fame and wealth. It's hard to know how that plays on one's decision-making ability. I made mistakes at 21, and I was neither famous nor wealthy. But when you become a professional athlete, you cease to be a kid; you are an adult being paid a lot of money and expected to handle yourself with dignity and discernment.
This club has had other incidents involving sexual indiscretion and insobriety. Every player whose been in the league more than a couple years needs to see himself as a role model, and know that his actions and attitudes are influencing younger players. Players spend a lot of time together, and peer pressure is arguably one of the most powerful forces guiding behavior in a club. This sad story underscores how crucial it is for the players to make sure this pressure is positive.
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