Experienced St Kilda star David Armitage believes the Saints can be proud of their achievements this season, following a significant spike in performance from 2015 to this season.
Armitage, 28, is part of an evolving Saints midfield group that has grown in depth and performance this season, helping propel St Kilda to 11 wins, following six victories last year.
The Queenslander, who is set to play his 150th game against Brisbane on Sunday, told reporters on Monday that St Kilda has exceeded their own expectations this season, by not only winning more games but also by producing strong performances against the top sides.
“I think we can be extremely proud of the year we’ve had thus far. I know a goal I thought was possible would have been 10 games to win; we’ve already exceeded that with a chance to prepare and go in this weekend to try and get a result as well,” Armitage said at a press conference on Monday.
“Certainly at the start of the year we didn’t talk about how many wins would be a pass or anything like that, we clearly wanted to improve on last year and clearly the win-loss ratio has proven that.
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“But it’s more the way we go about our footy. We’ve beaten three top-eight teams this year and played some really good consistent footy against them, but then again we’ve had lapses, especially against interstate teams.”
Ahead of his milestone game, last year’s Trevor Barker Award runner-up reminisced about how fast time has flown by since he landed at St Kilda as pick No. 9 in the 2006 National Draft.
“It was always my dream to play footy and then to get drafted and to be down here with the family was awesome,” Armitage said.
“It’s something in the back of your mind, your management says to you you’re a chance to be a 150-200 game player, and you kind of go ‘oh yeah whatever’.
“Then you play your first game, and then your first 50 and then your first 100 and get through that and the times here for 150. Time is flying.”
Armitage has played all 21 games this season, averaging 21.3 disposals (No. 5 at St Kilda), 9.5 contested possessions (No. 2) 5.8 tackles (equal No. 1), 4.5 clearances (No. 2), and 48.7 points (No. 2).
