Jade Gresham’s sublime talent was on
While the Saints couldn’t quite capitalise on what was a big opportunity to take a sizeable scalp, the young side was willed on by Gresham’s accuracy in front of goal.
In his 50th game of AFL football, the 20-year-old was electric inside 50m, posing a constant threat to Richmond’s defence.
After a relatively quiet first half, Gresham sprang to life, piling on three goals in the third quarter before adding another two in the last.
The excitement machine has been gradually building his game over the last few weeks, collecting 24 disposals in Round 7 before kicking back-to-back doubles leading into Saturday.
Gresham recaptured the kind of goalkicking form that saw him post his then career-high five, also against the Tigers, in Round 23 last year.
Highlights: Round 10 vs Richmond
In his junior years, Gresham was renowned for his ability to win the ball in the middle, but until this year, he’d been utilised almost exclusively as a small forward.
Since Alan Richardson has trialled throwing the Northern Knights product into the midfield, Gresham has relished in his new role for the Saints.
“Eventually I want to be a midfielder, and I’m spending a little bit more time in there which is good,” he told saints.com.au.
Jimmy Webster amassed a career-high 36 disposals.
In a first half where St Kilda wasn’t able to punish Richmond on the scoreboard, Jimmy Webster was the man who once again stood up in defence, amassing a career-high 36 possessions and dominating proceedings from the back.
The 24-year-old’s deadly left foot was instrumental in launching the Saints into
The Tasmanian has been in career-best form in 2018, going a long way to fill the void left by retiree Leigh Montagna and injured leader Dylan Roberton.
Webster rises to the challenge
Alan Richardson praised the performances of St Kilda’s younger contributors, with Logan Austin and Bailey Rice
“I thought that Logan Austin did a pretty good job today,” the senior coach said.
“And Bailey Rice with his kicking game was able to set up some opportunities, so there was a bit to like about the newbies that came into the team.”
The Saints face top-of-the-table West Coast in Perth next week and will hope to build on their promising display against the Tigers.
