Finals hopes slipping with tough run ahead

Where are we now? After a positive month, St Kilda now sits in 11th position, equal with three other teams on nine wins, although a poor percentage has Essendon, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs ahead. Big back-to-back losses against Essendon and Sydney have almost erased the stunning effort against Richmond from memory. Now, a trip to face Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval next Saturday, then games against West Coast and Melbourne in Melbourne will shape St Kilda’s season. With the competition so even in 2017, it’s rarely been harder to qualify for September. St Kilda will need to win at least three and more likely four of their final five games to return to the finals for the first time since 2011. It will all start inside the Portress this weekend.

Dunstan repays the faith in Sydney

2017 hasn’t quite gone to plan for Luke Dunstan. After never pulling on a Sandringham jumper in his first three years at Linen House Centre, the 2013 first-round pick has played seven games for the Zebras this year across three separate stints. At the SCG on Saturday night, the South Australian sent a message. He burst out of the gate, collecting 10 touches in the opening quarter to keep St Kilda in a game that Sydney appeared in complete control of from the outset. By half-time he had 17 and by the final siren he had an equal career-high 29 disposals, to go with the most inside 50s (eight) and clearances (seven) on the ground. With midfield recruits Koby Stevens and Jack Steele cementing spots in the engine room across the last month or so, Saturday night was a timely reminder of Dunstan’s potential.

Questions arise after Montagna tweaks hamstring

The timing of Leigh Montagna’s hamstring strain dominated discussion in the aftermath of Saturday night’s loss. At 33 and out of contract at season’s end, many have pondered whether we have seen the end of the veteran star? Scans will determine the severity of Montagna’s injury on Monday afternoon, but with only five home and away games remaining, and with the chance of finals slipping by the week, the dual All-Australian could face a race against the clock to return before the end of the year. Alan Richardson also suggested that fellow veteran Nick Riewoldt could miss the trip to Adelaide as the club looks to keep the six-time Trevor Barker Award winner fresh at the end of the season. Riewoldt, 34, has played 14 games in 2017, including the last six games, and after a couple of six-day breaks, plus some interstate travel, the champion forward is likely to remain in Melbourne this weekend.

Longer stands tall on tough night

A week after missing the disappointing loss to Essendon with a hamstring strain, Billy Longer returned on Saturday night and demonstrated again why he is one of the most improved players at St Kilda this season. The former top 10 pick dominated Sydney’s Sam Naismith in the air, amassing 43 hitouts to 21, to give St Kilda first opportunity around the stoppages. As Alan Richardson lamented in his post-mortem, the Saints midfield wasn't able to capitalise on Longer’s work, with Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery, Luke Parker and co rolling their sleeves up to help the Swans win contested ball (+12), inside 50s (+28) and clearances (+7). Mature-age rookie Rowan Marshall was another inclusion against Sydney and showed some signs on debut. Despite limited opportunities, the tall forward finished with 14 disposals, nine contested possessions and four marks.