Robbo: How can Saints become so bad in a week as a bloodthirsty Richmond outfit runs rampant?
St Kilda was shamefully inept. But the Tigers were at their frightful best and their pursuit of greatness is, at the moment, unwavering, writes Mark Robinson.
St Kilda
Don't miss out on the headlines from St Kilda. Followed categories will be added to My News.
No one expects Brad Hill to play like Ollie Wines or Jack Viney, but there is an expectation he takes care of his business.
He wasn’t alone in a shamefully inept St Kilda performance against a clinical and merciless Richmond on Thursday night.
The Tigers, in one aspect, monster opposition with wave-running from the back half and, in another, force the opposition to execute under tremendous pressure.
The pressure comes first, the spread comes second.
Together, it’s frightful.
Watch the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Every match of every round Live on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
The Saints couldn’t halt the wave, were forced into error under Richmond’s heat and defensive zone and, ultimately, couldn’t nail their own moments.
Last week the Saints responded after a poor first half against West Coast.
On Thursday night they were simply hapless after quarter-time — any possibility of a second-half response put to bed early in the third quarter when Shane Edwards and Jack Riewoldt kicked goals.
By then, the margin was 44 points. At three-quarter time it was 60 points. The final margin was 86 points.
The Tigers were furiously professional and impossibly suffocating.
DEEP DIVE: WHY $900K MAN IS NOT SAINTS’ BIGGEST PROBLEM
Inside-50 tackles were 18-8. Overall, tackles were 68-53.
They won clearances 44-28 and at one stage had a run of 21-1. Brutal undersells the premier’s display.
So overwhelming was Richmond’s ability to find loose teammates, that Cats skipper Joel Selwood told Channel 7: “It’s like no one plays in any position, they keep running and running.”
Selwood could’ve easily said “hunting and hunting”.
After an even first quarter on the scoreboard, Richmond opened up this game in the second quarter.
Riewoldt kicked Richmond’s first goal of the second quarter and Marlion Pickett the second.
Pickett’s goal came after Hill dropped an easy mark at half-forward. As much as applying pressure and winning big balls is contagious, so, too, are moments of indecision and trepidation.
Hill had to be better in his moment. With Pickett closing space to his right, Hill stuck out two hands, didn’t commit the body, and grassed the ball.
He hung his head when Pickett picked up the slop and kicked the goal from 45m.
In contrast, the Tigers were cock-a-hoop.
Hill didn’t have a great game. Too many of his teammates also failed in important moments. Jack Billings, Seb Ross, Jack Lonie, Dan Butler also were quiet, and many others ineffectual.
The forwards might get a slight reprieve because they only had 33 entries to compete.
The review will be embarrassing more than damning.
It doesn’t help when Richmond delivers such a bloodthirsty level of competitiveness.
Like a scene in a documentary of African wild dogs hunting an impala, Richmond’s players are relentless in their pursuit.
The point being, the pack never surrenders.
On Thursday night, neither did the Tigers.
The Saints were shell-shocked, and they aren’t the first team and won’t be the last team to be so meek and out of step against the Tigers.
Once again, Richmond’s standing as the best pressure team of all time is enhanced.
Toby Nankervis against rookie Paul Hunter arguably was best afield, though Edwards will have some say in that. So, too, will Jack Graham.
Trent Cotchin might argue the game was over at halftime, so give the votes then.
Indeed, you can’t choose an area of the ground where the Tigers were beaten.
The Saints have their injury issues, but they had the same issues last week.
The contrast in performances was bleak.
That’s twice in three weeks — they were demolished by 75 points by Essendon in Round 3 — they have laid down their guns. Last week is looking the aberration.
Max King was an early highlight for the Saints, but if the ball ain’t going inside, it’s difficult to influence the contest. They play Port Adelaide in Adelaide next week and a loss would leave them 2-4 after six weeks.
They don’t need a response, they need an overhaul of the means of whatever they are trying to accomplish.
As for the Tigers, their pursuit of greatness is, at the moment, unwavering.
mark.robinson@news.com.au
Originally published as Robbo: How can Saints become so bad in a week as a bloodthirsty Richmond outfit runs rampant?
Max’s Metrics: Numbers behind stars Saint’s staggering contract
Max King has signed an eye-boggling new contract after the Saints lined his numbers up against past greats. They liked what they saw and here is how the spearhead compares to 12 others.
‘Oh my god’: Monster deal stuns Buckley
Injury-prone St Kilda key forward Max King has been handed a monster new deal that has left AFL greats in disbelief.