Sandringham Senior Coach and St Kilda Specialist Coach Aaron Hamill has his say on the Saints’ best performers in the VFL.

READ: Coffield a cut above

Nick Coffield 14 kicks, 17 handballs, nine marks, six tackles

We know how good Coff is from a ball use and retention point of view, and he’s always looking to bring the ball inside. You really enjoy seeing Nick play in defence, because he can use the ball well and defend strongly, like a Heath Shaw, and he gets you going and generates a lot of use and run.

David Armitage 17 kicks, 11 handballs, two marks, eight tackles

The best thing about Dave is that you can trust him – you know what you’re going to get. His attitude and effort has been A+ since he’s been at VFL level. The biggest thing for Dave is his influence on others; he’s been in some great leadership programs under great coaches, and all the VFL guys really feed off that.

Nathan Wright 11 kicks, seven handballs, four marks, four tackles

Wrighty was a little bit starved of the ball in the first half, but he was able to nullify a few stoppages and was able to defend well and get his hands on the footy. He’s going well, probably more as a small forward than a midfielder.

Hugh Goddard Nine kicks, four handballs, six marks, two tackles

Hugh looked lively. We liked his aggression in the contest and he tried to generate offensively for us. We threw him forward again which he thrives on and adapts to really well, so we’ll keep doing that.

Ray Connellan (1.1) Nine kicks, three handballs, six marks, three tackles

The last couple of weeks have probably seen the best footy I’ve seen Ray play since he’s been at the footy club. If he keeps the game simple, with relentless pressure, that hunt and appetite to work and tackle effectively, his talent and speed will take over. He’s going in the right direction, but he’s certainly got areas to get moving on.

Josh Battle (1.5) 10 kicks, one handball, five marks

Josh is a worker. His speed and pressure on the deck was pleasing, and he had an influence on both sides of the ball. To have six shots on goal, regardless of the 1.5 outcome, was a good effort.

Oscar Clavarino Five kicks, four handballs, five marks, one tackle

Oscar’s getting some good experience down back with a lot of inside 50s against. He took five marks, three intercept, so we’re looking to him now to get the ball to ground more often and develop physically and mentally. We think we’re setting him up well.

Doulton Langlands Two kicks, five handballs, one mark, three tackles