THE RESULT
Collingwood by 26 points, 15.13 (103) defeated St Kilda 11.11 (77)
THE MOMENT
Travis Cloke’s first goal from open play for the season effectively ended St Kilda’s chances on Friday night. The power forward snapped around his body to put Collingwood 25 points up at the 18-minute mark of the final term. Nick Riewoldt responded in typically resilient fashion at the other end, booting the next two majors. Despite the Saints skipper’s best efforts, Cloke’s goal sealed the game for the Magpies.
THE UNUSUAL
Some fans would have wondered why more than a dozen umpires strode out onto the field before the opening bounce, most of them dressed in regular bright green, a few decked out in orange. This round is umpires round, and the AFL is allowing young officials from grass-roots footy to lead their senior AFL counterparts out onto the field of play before each game.
THE GOAL
St Kilda’s two most industrious midfielders for the evening combined for a vital major in the dying seconds of the third term. Leigh Montagna held the ball patiently 65 metres out from goal, awaiting an option in a congested forward 50. David Armitage led diagonally from the goal-mouth to receive a pin-point Montagna pass that was not only perfectly weighted, but superbly timed. The left footer did the rest, the goal stemming the tide and reducing the deficit to just two straight kicks.
THE STAR
For the second successive week, Nick Riewoldt has led inspirationally from centre-half-forward. He is playing like a captain possessed at the moment, willing his teammates on in seemingly desperate circumstances. The 30-year-old booted four goals, propelled the ball inside 50 on five occasions and took 11 marks in another dominant display.
His standout efforts were not lost on St Kilda coach Scott Watters:
“Young players see first-hand what it is to be a pro with Riewoldt. I take my hat off to the way he is playing and leading,” he said.
THE CROWD
40,071
THE STATISTIC
Disposal efficiency:
St Kilda 70%, Collingwood 77%.
Although it doesn’t sound like a massive differential, Collingwood’s ability to hit targets, especially in the back half, was first class on Friday night. The Magpies collected more disposals than St Kilda, but it was their clean ball use that proved significant in the final result. Individually, Heath Shaw had 22 possessions at 95% efficiency, while Dale Thomas was influential on the back-flank, amassing 34 touches at 85%.
WHAT WE SAID
St Kilda coach Scott Watters:
“To beat good sides it’s more than just three quarters, you’ve got to go the full distance. You have to capitalise when you have your set shots, when you have your opportunities. There’s some good stuff to take out of it but we want to be a club that strives to beat the good sides and you need to go the full distance. It’s a good learning experience for a lot of our players.”
THE ANALYSIS
Although St Kilda will never be content with a loss, it was a commendable, if not promising performance from a youthful looking Saints team. Lenny Hayes late withdrawal due to calf tightness was a blow for the Saints, but his replacement Jack Newnes toiled hard and began the game with six touches in the first 10 minutes.
It was a match that was won in the back half for Collingwood, but not in a defensive manner. Rather, it was their defenders offence that hurt the Saints, with Heath Shaw and Dale Thomas controlling the half-back line and collecting 56 disposals and seven rebound 50s between them.
Leigh Montagna was again superb in the engine room for St Kilda, finishing with 30 possessions, 12 of them in a spirited last quarter. Dylan Roberton provided fantastic run and rebound from the Saints back 50, while fellow defender-turned-tagger Jarryn Geary kept the dangerous and in-form Steele Sidebottom to just 10 touches.
Ultimately Collingwood had a bit too much polish for St Kilda, leading at every change despite the Saints laudable efforts. In the last fortnight, St Kilda has competed admirably with the 2012 premiers and last year’s preliminary finalists, and now has 10 days to recover before they face Carlton at Etihad Stadium.
You can follow Tom Morris on twitter: @tommorris32
