Mid-year assessment time at Linen House Centre
Where are the Saints at? After two consecutive losses, Alan Richardson believes his side is nowhere near where they need to be. In the aftermath of Saturday’s 40-point loss to the Western Bulldogs, the Saints Coach said the performance “shows that we’re not at the same level of the better teams”. St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs began the weekend at 5-4. The Dogs moved into the top four with the win, while the Saints moved to 10th at 5-5, locked in the same win-loss as Melbourne and Essendon, outside the eight. Only a fortnight ago, after dazzling efforts against Hawthorn and Greater Western Sydney, St Kilda looked ominous. Now, the bye has come at a good time. The Saints must regroup before facing Adelaide at Adelaide Oval after the week off.
McCartin shows signs
Paddy McCartin might have hauled in an equal game-high nine marks, but the consensus was it could have been more had he held on to a handful of others that came his way across the day. But in just his fourth game of the year, and 21st overall, the 2014 No. 1 pick showed glimpses of his prodigious talent. He finished with 15 disposals, two contested marks, two goal assists and 1.1. He got his hands on the ball early, taking two marks in the first five minutes and featured late in the piece, kicking two set shots in quick succession in the last quarter. It was a nearly game, but it was a positive performance nonetheless and one that should fuel his confidence moving into the second half of his third season at Linen House Centre.
Pressure elite despite loss
Despite the disappointing performance on Saturday, the Saints brought their pressure game to Etihad Stadium. Alan Richardson’s men amassed more pressure points (986.4) than any other team in Round 10, registering an elite pressure factor of 1.969 – second highest behind Hawthorn for the round – compared to the Bulldogs’ 1.752 (No. 13). Jack Steele continued his exceptional start to the season in this facet of the game, amassing 66.9 pressure points. Jack Steven (70.5) and Jack Sinclair (70.2) were also impressive in this area, while Seb Ross (65.8) and Koby Stevens (65.4) also got their hands dirty in the middle of the ground.
Midfield battle left to too few
The midfield numbers might have been even on paper, but the reality was different. As Richardson said in his post-match press conference, the Saints were beaten in the midfield, despite the best efforts of Billy Longer, who amassed a personal best hitout haul with 55. St Kilda won the clearances +7, tackles +32 and narrowly lost contested ball -2, but the Dogs generated nine more inside 50s. Mitch Wallis, Luke Dahlhaus, Jack Macrae and youngster Bailey Dale inflicted the most damage around the ball, while Lachie Hunter nullified Jack Steven. Seb Ross and Koby Stevens collected plenty of the ball at Etihad Stadium, but there wasn’t enough contribution at the coal face to get the better of the reigning premiers.
Stevens getting the job done
In his first game against his old side, Koby Stevens burst out of the blocks. He had 13 disposals in the opening quarter – the most on the ground – before finishing with 28 for the game, along with 10 contested possessions, eight tackles, seven clearances and six marks. The 25-year-old midfielder has now played four games since overcoming an interrupted start to his career in red, white and black. In three of those appearances, he has finished with 28 touches to his name. In the other, he had 21 against the Swans. Safe to say he is having an impact. And while the inclusion of Nathan Brown and Jake Carlisle down back, and the acquisition of Jack Steele has attracted more attention externally, Stevens looms as another piece of shrewd list management by Tony Elshaug, Ameet Bains and co.
