St Kilda can make a statement by beating Greater Western Sydney this week, writes David King
ST KILDA has lost its last 11 Friday night matches. But coming up against an injured Giants outfit is the perfect time to make a statement, writes David King.
David King
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ON Friday night, St Kilda can put a full stop on the rebuild by finally taking the opportunity to win a “statement game”.
No more admirable losses or terrific efforts. No more showing signs or glimpses.
The Saints are a serious football team. They’ve proven to be capable against the best right up until when the game entered crunch period, generally late, when it needed to be won.
The Saints led West Coast in Perth for 110 of the 120 minutes but coughed up the last five goals.
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Against Geelong they led by 13 points midway through the third term but then got schooled by Joel Selwood on how to handle games in the balance.
St Kilda has done what was expected, defeating those around or slightly below them with wins
against Brisbane, Collingwood and Hawthorn.
These performances should give tremendous belief, if that’s what’s lacking, as those wins are important and still need to be banked.
Learning to win the big games is part of the evolution of AFL teams after the rebuild — only when the Western Bulldogs defeated Sydney at the SCG did they genuinely believe that anything
is possible.
There’s no AFL scrutiny like being under Friday night lights. St Kilda has lost its past 11 Friday
night games. Rabbits have had more success under a spotlight than St Kilda of the past five years.
The St Kilda rebuild has been seamless under the tutelage of master developer Alan Richardson.
Richo’s team has performed ahead of the traditional regeneration curve across the past three seasons as four, six and 12 wins attest.
But the Saints need a circuit-breaking victory, a game that brings a reference point for future belief.
The Saints pressure game has been much lauded but they do more than just chase and harass.
They’re rated 6th for ball movement this season, which was the same as last year.
They’re exceptional at punishing an opposition turnover. They like the game at high speed and they drive the football deep to the top of the goal square at each and every opportunity. That high ball attracts multiple aerial specials like Nick Riewoldt, Josh Bruce and Tim Membrey but has tremendous ground level piranhas like Jade Gresham, Jack Lonie and Maverick Weller.
The Saints are the AFL’s most productive forward line close to goals, in the 0-30m range.
They’ve kicked 25 goals in the 0-15m zone and 27 goals from the 16-30m area. It’s the Saints’ kill zone.
If St Kilda is to defeat the Giants and stamp its bona fides as a club significantly on the rise, then it will be at the goal face.
The Giants’ defence has been injury impacted severely.
Nick Haynes last season took the second most intercept marks in the competition and will be sorely missed.
Matt Buntine is the forgotten defender who’d be more than handy this week.
Phil Davis is the key to the Giants’ back six and specifically the “high ball” entry. He’s an elite interceptor but much will depend on his fitness and his judgment upon his return.
Adam Thomlinson spectated at full-back last week rather than attacking the incoming ball and paid a price against Marcus Bontempelli. That cannot happen if the Giants are to hold up in deep defence.
This is the perfect time to play the GWS Giants.
Are the suspensions and injuries getting to a tipping point on the road against a high-octane St Kilda? Could the trap door open on the Giants?
It’s a distinct possibility but the Saints need to challenge for the full 120 minutes to pry open all cracks and ensure it simply becomes too much for the Giants.
While the backline will have challenges, the fascination is just how the Giants cope without their best player over the past 18 months, Toby Greene.
Toby is a goal kicker and the conduit that connects their midfield to the forward line. Greene’s absence will place significant pressure on Steven Johnson who has struggled alarmingly over the past two to three weeks.
A significant drop in contested ball and only a two-goal return to hang his hat on. Will we see “Father Time” or “Who’s your Daddy” from the game’s best entertainer?
The Saints have an opportunity to start a new chapter tonight. They must take it.
When the game is on a knife’s edge the lessons learnt from Joel Selwood must come to the fore. Jack Steven, Jack Steele and Jade Gresham must recognise that and seize their moment.
The St Kilda direction will be set after games like this and with two first-round national draft selections at season’s end, they could become anything.
I’m tipping no more rabbits in the Friday night spotlight. Saints by five points.
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