Saints receive reality check in the form of rampaging Swans
Alan Richardson described the loss as a ‘reality check’ on The Sunday Footy Show after the Swans' pressure dismantled the Saints at Etihad Stadium on Saturday. After three consecutive wins and an opportunity to consolidate a spot inside the top eight, St Kilda has tumbled below the AFL’s equator, now sitting in 9th spot on the same amount of points as five teams. It’s a log jam in that section of the ladder with only one game separating 3rd and 10th. Next up for Richardson and the Saints is the reigning premiers the Western Bulldogs, who are also 5-4 and also coming off a disappointing loss on the weekend. With both sides having their mid-season bye the following weekend, Saturday looms as a critical game in the context of the season. Win and move into the week off with momentum at 6-4. Lose and drift back to the pack.
Round 9 Turnover Kings
“We just butchered the footy,” a disappointed Alan Richardson said in his post-match press conference on Saturday night. “They scored too much from our own kick from the back and they scored too much from our poor kick going inside 50.” He wasn’t wrong. St Kilda slaughtered the ball on Saturday, conceding 13.7 (85) from turnovers – the most of any team in Round 9 and well above the round average of 55.6 points. Sydney’s frontal pressure and ability to corral and chop off ball played a significant role, but too often the Saints made catastrophic unforced errors that were capitalised on. Kicks inside the corridor didn’t hit the target and entries inside 50 didn’t service the forwards at all. The Saints didn’t transfer one rebound 50 into a goal and converted only five defensive exits into inside 50s – equal third worst of Round 9.
Ross continues to stand and be counted
While the numbers were flattering for plenty on Saturday, one player who continued his brilliant start to 2017 was Seb Ross. His kicking execution faltered at times, but not his endeavour. He finished with another large helping against Sydney and their elite fleet of onballers, this time collecting an equal career-high 37 possessions (13 contested), eight tackles and eight clearances. While Dan Hannebery and Josh Kennedy wreaked havoc, Ross stood tall at Etihad Stadium in a performance that we have quickly become accustomed to in 2017. Ross has now amassed 30 or more disposals for the last six weeks and after nine rounds, the 24-year-old from Ballarat is averaging 29.8 disposals (No. 15 in the AFL), 11.1 contested possessions, 5.8 clearances (No. 19) and 4.1 inside 50s. Numbers aside, Ross has become more explosive in congestion and more damaging by foot in the first half of 2017. If he hasn’t already entered the upper echelon of midfielders in the game, he is standing in the front yard waiting to be let inside.
Collision ends Newnes’ celebration but brave act symbolic
Just when the conversation turned to how Jack Newnes had become such a durable force, racing to 100 games on the back of an impressive run of 75 straight games, the milestone man came from the ground in the first quarter and didn’t return due to concussion. And while it was far from ideal, the incident was symbolic of what Newnes embodies as a player. In a 50/50 contest just inside St Kilda’s forward 50, Newnes cannoned into Sydney young gun Callum Mills, who also crashed in. The ball spilled out to Jack Billings who looped a handball over the top to Jade Gresham who kicked a goal against the flow. Richardson lauded the act after the game and said it was unlikely the gutsy wingman would miss next Saturday’s clash with the Western Bulldogs. Mav Weller also came from the ground in the first half with another ankle concern but returned and finished with 22 possessions after only having five touches in the opening half.
