Prediction Best 22 Round 1 2023

[ScrappyDo]

I think this is as far as l can get. I like that there's actually plenty of spots up for grabs, hopefully Chito grabs one for keeps.

FB	Wilkie	Howard
HB		Battle
C	Hill	Sinclair
HF			NWM
FF	Higgins	King	Membrey
R	Marshall	Steele	Crouch
Int	Windhager	Ross*

 

[gringo2011]

I think this is as far as l can get. I like that there's actually plenty of spots up for grabs, hopefully Chito grabs one for keeps.

FB	Wilkie	Howard
HB		Battle
C	Hill	Sinclair
HF			NWM
FF	Higgins	King	Membrey
R	Marshall	Steele	Crouch
Int	Windhager	Ross*

I'd have Butler in over Nas personally. Butts hasn't got much competition and he looks like a Ross Lyon small forward with his low output high pressure game. If we can get him back to his best he's another player who's game dropped away severely under Ratts. It wasn't long ago he was an AA nomination, our leading goal kicker and second in the B and F.

 

[saintmike65]

I'd have Butler in over Nas personally. Butts hasn't got much competition and he looks like a Ross Lyon small forward with his low output high pressure game. If we can get him back to his best he's another player who's game dropped away severely under Ratts. It wasn't long ago he was an AA nomination, our leading goal kicker and second in the B and F.

Clean slate regarding team selection..will be fascinating how the team is selected for round 1..can’t wait for the intra club game, should be highly competitive!!

 

[ScrappyDo]

I'd have Butler in over Nas personally. Butts hasn't got much competition and he looks like a Ross Lyon small forward with his low output high pressure game. If we can get him back to his best he's another player who's game dropped away severely under Ratts. It wasn't long ago he was an AA nomination, our leading goal kicker and second in the B and F.

You're probably right but I do think that Wang will and should be prioritized whilst the small forward role will be subject to the goings on around Snags, Gresh and midfield rotations. Also having Hill and Wang on opposite sides is a chance to get some direct mentoring and consistency in that area. Too good to pass up IMHO.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I'd have Butler in over Nas personally. Butts hasn't got much competition and he looks like a Ross Lyon small forward with his low output high pressure game. If we can get him back to his best he's another player who's game dropped away severely under Ratts. It wasn't long ago he was an AA nomination, our leading goal kicker and second in the B and F.

Both Pou and Hotton can play forward, they might be able to put a bit of pressure on Butler.

 

[gringo2011]

Both Pou and Hotton can play forward, they might be able to put a bit of pressure on Butler.

Both more in between size though. Hotton at least a bit more agile. I think they are more Snags competition.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Both more in between size though. Hotton at least a bit more agile. I think they are more Snags competition.

You don't need to be short for what Butler provides.
I don't actually rate him as much of a crumber.

 

[stfan]

Both Pou and Hotton can play forward, they might be able to put a bit of pressure on Butler.

Hotton yes, but Pou would never be played in a role that RTB might want in the team that Butler might fill.
It is not as simply as playing forward, it is can they perform the role that the coaches want them to?

With Butler under RTB and the other coaches, it will be interesting to see how much they want Pressure Playing small forwards vs more attacking ones. Though even attacking ones need to do their bit offensively (I am thinking of Higgins for example).

Next question will be the number of small forward that the new coaches decide to play in the 23.
Then complicating that there is Gresh. Will he be in 2023 be a mid who rotates forward on occasion. Or a small forward who has some midfield rotations?

They could go with one less in order to play your midfielder marking forward type like Owens and Pou.

Hotton in many ways could be our 2022 draftee who plays the most games in 2023 zipping around our forward line.


Pou has huge upside, but to to play that big mid who can be an impact marking forward he needs to add muscle and strength to his still boyish frame. He will be a beast in a few years time.


On our 2020 Draftees I think the club has prioritised players who ultimately can become really good for players for us over players who might be "seniors ready" in 2023.

 

[The Punter]

With Billings, Gresham, Hayes, Coffield and King now unlikely...

Wilkie Howard Paton
Sinclair Battle Webster
McKenzie Steele Wood
Membrey Sharman Windhager
Butler Campbell Higgins
Marshall Crouch Ross
Hill Clark Owens Jones Phillipou

 

[Drop Kick]

With Billings, Gresham, Hayes, Coffield and King now unlikely...

Wilkie Howard Paton
Sinclair Battle Webster
McKenzie Steele Wood
Membrey Sharman Windhager
Butler Campbell Higgins
Marshall Crouch Ross
Hill Clark Owens Jones Phillipou

I wonder how that team will go against Norf ?

 

[SaintsSeptember]

With Billings, Gresham, Hayes, Coffield and King now unlikely...

Wilkie Howard Paton
Sinclair Battle Webster
McKenzie Steele Wood
Membrey Sharman Windhager
Butler Campbell Higgins
Marshall Crouch Ross
Hill Clark Owens Jones Phillipou

St Kilda footy boss names the Saints racing the clock for Round 1 fitness

Geoff Walsh has provided an update.

www.sen.com.au

Last i saw Coffield was tracking well, but Walsh declined to state that he would be ready for round 1.
Billings was expected to be ready round 1.
They were confident that Gresham would be available for the opener.

King will not be available. Has there been more news on the others or do we just get more pessimistic each day?

 

[Mikevk123]

B Wilkie Howard Jones
HB Sinclair Battle Clark
C Hill Crouch Windhager
HF Wood Sharman Gresham
F Membrey Marshall Higgins
FOLL- Campbell Owens Steele
I/C- NWM, Phillipou, Billings, Butler
Sub- Ross

 

[True Blue Saint]

With the King news we have a new strategy.

Clear out the 50. Plonk the Pou one out in the square

 

[DarkSaint]

FB: Paton Howard Webster
HB: Sinclair Battle Wilkie
C: Hill Crouch Milera
HF: Wood Membrey Higgins
FF: Gresham Sharman Butler
R: Marshall Steele Windhager

Int: Ross,Clark, Jones Owens

 

[Jade Buddha]

Owens is an interesting one. Not sure how he’ll be used. Probably mid and forward rotations off the bench?

 

[saintmike65]

With Billings, Gresham, Hayes, Coffield and King now unlikely...

Wilkie Howard Paton
Sinclair Battle Webster
McKenzie Steele Wood
Membrey Sharman Windhager
Butler Campbell Higgins
Marshall Crouch Ross
Hill Clark Owens Jones Phillipou

Isn’t it time to move on from a Steele, Crouch & Ross centre bounce set up?

 

[saintmike65]

New coach, well actually a whole new set of coaches bar one, so all bets are off.


And not just with Cordy, but with a lot of players.

Players like Bytel for example are chomping at the bit, and he is now in ripper nick out to impress as he knows that many spots are up for grabs IF you are good enough at doing what the new coaches want done.

Competition for a spot in the 23 for round 1 is going to be fierce.

Just look at the battle for a place on the wing: Hill, Wood, Dmac, Billings, Nasiah.

How and where does Jones fit in?


I do hope the mindset that that we are building for 2024 on remains so that most weeks some of our younger players are getting some games over the course of the season. ie Sharman, Bytel etc and say maybe Heath and Peris getting a game(not regular, buta taste) by seasons end just to expose them to AFL level football.

May have to be a back to the future scenario for Zac Jones..running defender!

 

[saintmike65]

Owens is an interesting one. Not sure how he’ll be used. Probably mid and forward rotations off the bench?

Combing with Phillipou mid and forward would be an interesting dynamic!!

 

[SaintsSeptember]

May have to be a back to the future scenario for Zac Jones..running defender!

We have others who can kick well.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Isn’t it time to move on from a Steele, Crouch & Ross centre bounce set up?

Ross. Probably.
Steel and Crouch. You crazy?
Why would you not use your best clearance players there?

 

[Mikevk123]

Sharman, NWM, Phillpou, Windhager and Owens should all be in the round 1 team

 

[King_Steele]

Injured best 22 round 1:

Paton Howard Wilkie
Coffield Cordy Clark
Hill Steele NWM
Higgins Battle Wood
Membrey Sharman Butler
Marshall Crouch Sinclair
Windhager Owens Ross Phillipou

*Billings/Gresh/Hayes/King/Jones/DMac all unavailable due to injury

 

[OxSaint]

B: Paton Cordy Wilkie
HB: Sinclair Howard Webster
C: Hill Crouch McKenzie
HF: Higgins Sharman Billings
F: Butler Marshall Membrey
FOL: Campbell Steele Gresham
Int: Windhager Battle Jones Ross

Selection will be tough. No Hunter, Coff, Owen’s, NAS, wood or Phillipou.

Hayes to work his way in to replace Campbell.

 

[L_W_P]

FB: Paton - Cordy - Wilkie
HB: Battle - Howard - Sinclair
C: Hill - Steele - McKenzie
HF: Billings - Sharman - Gresham
FF: Butler - Membrey - Higgins
R: Marshall - Crouch - Ross
I: Jones - Coffield - Phillipou - Windhager - Campbell/Hayes*

Forward structure is going to have to play smaller with King out. We don't have a true KPF option to replace him so would prefer to change the structure/plan instead of trying to cover the cracks with a ruck or KPD swung forward.

Defence looks pretty settled. Cordy or Van Es at FB allows Howard to get up the ground and be more attacking. His best work for us was when Nath Brown or Jake Carlisle were in the team on the last line. I didn't like his role last year, despite the team defence being much better under Enright.

Jimmy Webster

29

Jimmy Webster

Age

31

Ht

188cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.7

4star

K

10.0

4star

HB

6.8

4star

M

3.7

4star

T

2.0

4star

MG

288.1

4star

No current season stats available

D

9.2

3star

K

5.6

3star

HB

3.6

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.8

4star

stiff but I cant see him and Paton both playing. With the extra tall coming in Wilkie gets back to playing on more midsize options which pushes JWeb out.

Tommy Campbell to back up Marshall until Hayes is fit.

Bench will be interesting -

Owens, Clark, Wood, Wanganeen-Milera all viable options. Highmore had a huge year in the VFL. Could see him becoming a Ross Lyon favourite ala Sammy Gilbert but I'm not sure who comes out. Lenny Hayes

Lenny Hayes

Age

44

Ht

186cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.5

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

11.0

5star

M

3.7

4star

T

5.0

5star

CL

5.2

5star

No current season stats available

D

9.2

3star

K

5.0

2star

HB

4.2

4star

M

1.6

2star

T

0.4

3star

is apparently very keen on Jack Bytel as well.

Much like 2007, I think it'll take 12 months for Ross to sort through the list and really put his stamp on things. King out is a huge blow though. Finals would be a bonus but missing one of our 2 most important players for 7-10 weeks is too much at the moment.

If we can stop the random beltings and get a consistent effort week to week then I think we can finish in that 8-11 range and look to launch into the top 4-6 in 2024.

 

[saintmike65]

Sharman, NWM, Phillpou, Windhager and Owens should all be in the round 1 team

Spot on!!