Almanac Footy: Back in the Red, White and Black
This was to be my first venture back to Moorabbin since the sorry move to Seaford.
I had no real expectations other than a hope for the future and an eagerness to soak up the atmosphere of the old Moorabbin. My first ever day there was round 1 1965 so it was somewhat of a homecoming for me.
As I arrived, I immediately saw Mick from behind the goals circa 1966. Mick who lives close to Moorabbin is a regular and being well known soon had a few of the old guard engaging him in earnest conversation about the team and 2022. I parted with him saying I would catch up inside.
I took the opportunity of going into the shop and spending my 2022 member’s voucher. I ended up buying the bright red members polo shirt. It will get plenty of wear. From there to have a look at the museum. As an avid Saints student of history, I am very interested in what the club has done to honor the past. It is a passion of mine.
The ever present Georgie was behind the desk. As members entered they waved their greetings. She is a Saints institution. My thoughts about the museum were mixed. The glass cases contain a lot Saints history and have been well curated. I hoped there would be more. I will at some stage take the time to spend a bit of time having a good look but enough of that, the game was about to start.
Mick was now Mick on the fence. The first thing I noticed was the superb surface. The grass looked like it was transplanted from junction oval. This was the new first time used grass. It looked like it. So far away from the disgusting mud of the old Moorabbin.
The new grandstand yet to be completed looked fantastic and the Danny Frawley Centre almost bought a tear to my eye. Behind me ‘The Sanctum’ and the Social Club. This is the place to watch the game from. It is important to get some height for viewing the game. Down on the fence while you are close to the action it is hard to see the full ground. I spent the first half on the fence so probably missed a few things but I report as best I can.
In the second half I moved around in higher ground. I must say from in front of the Social club and main reception it can be difficult to see. The new grandstand will make a lot of difference. At one point I stood next to Tom Lynch. I had forgotten how tall he was. He looked super fit. What a pity he is no longer playing.
The game was set up as Blacks versus Whites. The Blacks led by Jack Steele seemed to be set up with the probable forwards versus the Whites fielding the probable backs. King, Butler, Higgins, Membrey, Wood and others versus in the white jumpers Howard, Battle, Webster, Paton , Sinclair and Wilkie.
I have Cooper Sharman listed in the Black team and perhaps he was swung around but I have a memory of him in a white jumper taking a mark on the half forward line turning quickly to deliver a pinpoint pass to Wanganeen-Milera who then converted the goal. Sharman has moved on positively from last year. In the end the Whites won by a few points.
I doubt the Saints brains trust expected that result. It may cause some concern as the Blacks seemed to have a better midfield and forwards but to be fair the Whites backline was superb. Rather than report the game I thought a quick analysis of every player would be best. I exclude the Sandringham top up players and may miss some of the new recruits.
The White Team
Brad Crouch. Brad is always flying under the radar. He seemed to start slowly but in the second half became very influential. The whites won the third quarter and Brad was prominent. I would his stats will surprise as they always seem to do.
Nasiah Wanganeen Milera. Nasiah showed glimpses of what he can offer. He left the field at three quarter time. I don’t know about injury but I was heartened to see Roughie rush over to him as they left the field to give him positive reinforcement. Nasiah’s highlight was a lovely goal from near 50 metres in the third quarter.
Brad Hill. Got the ball plenty of times. Mover well and was always looking to break the play open with long runs. His kicking was not that precise but most players looked a bit rusty.
Ryan Byrnes. Seemed to be often where the ball was. He was hard at it and prominent in a team whose onballers matched it with the black teams better credentialled players.
Marcus Windhager. Showed enough for supporters to believe he will develop into a good player.
Dougal Howard. Dougal was superb in the last line. His ability to read the play and just get enough weight on an opponent to put them off balance was first rate. The white team backs were the difference in the final scores.
Jack Bytel. The regular supporters believe the new fitness guru at the Saints has been influential with Jack. He looked trim, fit and firing on all cylinders. Jack could be one of those players who make great inroads this season. One to watch.
Mitch Owens. He looked a good player. Will be a long term player for the Saints.
Dean Kent. Dean gets the ball often. He is hard at it, reads the play well. He was prominent in this game. Finishing skills are still a question mark.
Josh Battle. Josh according to reports will be settled in defense this season. He didn’t hurt his chances of being in the starting 22 with a very solid game across the backline. He is hard at the ball and when he hits, the sound of body on body saw a few supporters gasping. I think he is headed for a good season.
Jimmy Webster. The Webster of old. Started where he left off last season.
Ben Paton. Coming back from horrific injury he looked a bit tentative at times but he will benefit from this first run
Jack Sinclair. There was a fair bit of discussion pre game about Champion data’s rankings of elite players. While no one doubted Jack’s ability the naysayers couldn’t see him in the same class as Jack Steele for example. They may be right but if there was to be a player who made a difference on the field it was Jack. His ability to run the lines and link up other players was outstanding. He moves over the ground quickly. His delivery skills were a bit rusty but I thought him to be best on ground.
Tom Campbell. Tom competed really well and had an influence around the ground. He is going to be an effective back up ruckman.
Patrick Naish. Looked to be worth giving a chance. First time with a new group would have been hard. A good pick up.
Max Heath. At times Max looked anxious especially in the first half but as he got a feel for the game showed some ability. Worth persevering with. I was especially pleased to see him go hard at it a couple of times. In one of them he hurt himself but kept at it until the play had finished.
Callum Wilkie. Fantastic. Calm in defense and part of the reason the white’s defense was dominant. A general in the back line.
Cooper Sharman. Although listed in the black team I noticed him in white. I will comment on his performance rather than what jumper he wore. He showed enough for me to believe right now he is in the best 22. His marking and kicking skills are elite. He will only improve with his first pre season.
Jack Hayes. Pronounced too slow by one of the supporters after his first touch. I reminisced what it was like at times to be at Moorabbin. From my point of view he seemed to have a good set off skills but was probably in awe of where he was. He got better as the game wore on and will only get better. Certainly has potential.
The Black Team
Zac Jones. One of the best players in his team. At times tried to do too much but overall he was fantastic. Such an important players for the Saints. I had him in the best three on the ground.
Jade Gresham. It was so good to see Gresh back. Kicked the first goal and did enough in his first run back to give us hope of a good season for him.
Seb Ross. Seb seemed a bit frustrated at times. He found it hard to get into the game but fought hard to make some impact.
Jack Steele. Jack is all class. He seemed to me to be going at about half throttle. I think he had a big impact on the game but the tackling and hard at it Jack wasn’t quite there.
Hunter Clarke. Not as prominent as maybe supporters would expect but time is on his side.
Max King. Max was dealing with the master of putting you off balance in Dougal Howard. He got his hands to the ball often but many times he was a bit off balance. He competed well and kicked a goal or two. Will be better for the hit out.
Dan Butler. Prominent playing higher up the ground.
Rowan Marshall. He and Tom Campbell had a good tussle in the ruck. Rowan was prominent around the ground and was one of the Blacks best.
Ben Long. Ben is such a good player. Kicked a goal or two and could have kicked a couple more. Looks set for a good season.
Jack Higgins. Jack was hard at it, and visible without being in the best. Looking forward to seeing him have a good season.
Oscar Adams. Oscar seemed to do a few things early in the game. Looks to be a developing player. Time will tell.
Tim Membrey. Tim was in the play often. Competed hard against an excellent backline which minimized the forwards opportunities. He spent a bit of time down back no doubt practicing his defensive skills.
Matthew Allison. A player with undoubted skills who is still learning and developing. Still slight and will benefit from the new fitness regime.
Jarrod Lienert. Was in the play a bit and showed enough for supporters to be impressed. I heard many positive comments about his performance.
Mason Wood. A reasonable game without being in the best for his team. Looks to be an excellent player at times but seemed to be in and out of the game.
Tom Highmore. I have a good opinion of Tom. He looked good at times but wasn’t that prominent through the game.
Daniel McKenzie. Daniel seems at ease with himself and comfortable in his role on the wing. In the best 22 right now.
Darragh Joyce. Played a typical negating role as a backman. Wouldn’t have great stats but spoiled effectively and used his height to advantage.
Jack Peris. I heard a group say that it couldn’t be Jack Peris because he was too big. That little guy is still small but he appears to have put on some weight. He has exceptional speed and displayed that he is well worth perservering with. Not ready yet but will benefit from his future experiences.
My Best 22 after this practice match
Wilkie Howard Webster
Sinclair Battle Hill
Mc Kenzie Steele Bytel
Long Membrey Billings
Higgins King Butler
Ryder
Jones
Gresham
Int. Marshall, Crouch, Sharman, Clarke
You can read more from Allan Grant Here.
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Hi Allen thanks for your report. The run down helps me know a little about this years saints group and I look forward to seeing how your observations match with the season. The womens team have been struggling this year and I hope the Saints boys can bring back some of my waning interest! I would love to be an excited Saints fan again. Love the changes to the ground too. And Georgie is a legend…. They have enough stuff for the museum to be in a building of its own but no money to do so. I have been to the museum when it was in the old building…. So much stuff. Let’s hope for a great Saints year. Go Saints
Hi Yvette. I’m a bit sad that you haven’t been able to fire up you’re interest in the Saints. Hopefully this group of players will help your motivation..I was impressed with the group. Perhaps they are slightly off a top 4 spot but this group should make the 8. I will be very disappointed if they don’t.
The museum is of real interest to me. I too visited the old museum. I know some people who contributed family items and like you am aware of how much they must have in other storage.
No museum can display everything. The best they can do is properly present what they have and rotate items of interest through the space they have been provided. To be honest I was a bit disappointed about the space allocated but I guess the club made the decision they felt appropriate in resourcing the museum. I am not sure the club had the same commitment to our history some other clubs seem to have.. I must explore what Essendon have done in recent times and Richmond historians have a high opinion of their clubs commitment. I find overall VFL/AFL history fascinating.
In the meantime keep positive about the women’s team. It will take time. Bad losses like today are demoralising to all but time will improve them.
In the meantime all strength to Georgie in her work in the museum.. You have reminded me to donate to the Saints history group if it is still a thing. Best wishes.