What a night

It was Nick Riewoldt’s night in more ways than one. It was night that drew widespread awareness to Maddie Riewoldt’s vision and celebrated the legacy she has left. And it was a night that began according to script. The champion forward got off Alex Rance inside the opening 60 seconds and took a trademark grab across half-forward. Then less than a minute later, he took a strong mark close to goal, went back and banked the first goal of the game. He surpassed Gary Dempsey’s all-time record for marks in the second quarter and executed a crucial role on three-time All-Australian Rance. And just like Port Adelaide’s Jackson Trengove last week, Riewoldt played a selfless role by taking Rance away from dangerous spots at times to allow Tim Membrey and Josh Bruce time and space without the star Tiger floating through. By the final siren, an emotional Riewoldt walked off Etihad Stadium with 12 marks, three goals and more importantly, an immeasurable impact for bone marrow failure suffers.

Sniff of September in the air

It’s been six years since St Kilda last played in a final. Plenty has changed since then. Two coaches have been and gone. But now, 16 rounds into 2017, the Saints are drawing closer to a return to the promised land. At 9-6, and on the back of four consecutive wins for the first time during Alan Richardson’s tenure, the Saints are a game inside the top eight, level on points with fourth-placed Port Adelaide, along with Melbourne and Richmond. Despite the obvious reasons for optimism, don’t look too far ahead. St Kilda has a challenging run home. Essendon this Friday night at Etihad Stadium is massive. Then back-to-back away trips against Sydney and Port Adelaide are extremely tough. The final month is far from easy, with three of the last four games coming against sides currently in the eight. If the Saints are going to return to September, they will really have to earn it.

Did that really happen?

The second quarter was as good a quarter of football that has been played this season, anywhere. In Nick Riewoldt’s words ‘we couldn’t really do anything wrong’ during a scintillating burst that sent social media and the football sphere into meltdown. A 9.5 to 0.1 quarter – the Saints most productive quarter since putting 10.4 on the board against GWS in 2012 – created an 82-point lead at half-time. Alan Richardson’s men dominated all the key indicators in the second quarter – disposals +84, inside 50s +19 and contested possessions +24. You had to see if to believe it, and if you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favour.

Finally, some accuracy in front of goal

Conversion has been an issue for St Kilda across this season, but it was far from an issue on Saturday night. Besides Josh Bruce, who finished with a wasteful 2.5, the Saints made the most of their opportunities in front of goal. St Kilda’s haul of 21.12 was their most accurate return of 2017 and the first time they have kicked more goals than behinds since the loss to Sydney in Round 9. Mobile key forward Tim Membrey was pivotal in this area, converting 5.0 from nine marks – five contested and five taken inside 50 – in his best performance of 2017. Although the 23-year-old could be in trouble with the Match Review Panel after he collided with Richmond defender Dylan Grimes in a marking contest.

Is Seb Ross closing in on a maiden Trevor Barker and All-Australian guernsey?

Seb Ross is compiling a serious season. On Saturday night, Ross shrugged off a midfield comprising Brownlow Medal favourite Dustin Martin, Trent Cotchin and Dion Prestia, to strengthen his claims for a maiden All-Australian berth. After amassing 33 possessions (10 contested), eight tackles, five clearances and 12 score involvements – 8th most of any player in Round 16 – Ross is creating a stir externally. Finally, more and more of the media are catching on to his phenomenal season. Since Round 3, Ross has collected 36 disposals, 33, 32, 31, 31, 37, 30, 39, 32, 22, 34 and 33. Take a moment to digest those numbers. He is equal 7th in the Coaches award and is averaging 30.5 disposals (No. 8), 10.5 contested possessions, 5.5 clearances and 4.3 inside 50s.