St Kilda’s forward structure barely visible as clinical Geelong inflicts Saints’ third loss from four games

SAINTS coach Alan Richardson could’ve partnered Wayne Carey with Tony Lockett and Buddy Franklin against Geelong and still struggled to kick a winning score as the clinical Cats put them away.

SAM LANDSBERGER

2 min read

April 15, 2018 - 8:10PM

Brandan Parfitt celebrates one of his three goals. Pic: Getty Images

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NICK Riewoldt said last week that not even Wayne Carey would’ve got a kick in St Kilda’s forward line the past two weeks.

Saints coach Alan Richardson could’ve partnered Carey with Tony Lockett and Buddy Franklin against the Cats and still struggled to kick a winning score.

The forward structure was barely visible. Coaches often talk about connection between parts of the ground.

SCARY: SAINT ROBERTON COLLAPSES ON GROUND

On Sunday it was the Saints’ pieces were bits of Lego with mismatching holes.

Pitted against a Geelong team conceding a league-worst average of 62 inside 50s in the first three weeks, the Saints managed just seven entries in the first quarter.

The scoreboard read 1.4 (10) to the Cats’ 4.3 (27), although four of St Kilda’s five scoring shots were courtesy of umpire whistles.

Cats coach Chris Scott deployed a loose backman, often Tom Stewart, and would’ve been pleased with the improved defence.

But St Kilda’s scoring woes are the most glaring symptom of its form slump and Richardson’s team is now 1-3 for the fourth time in six years.

After Round 4 the Saints are ranked 18th for attack — a damning statistic given their first three matches were at Etihad Stadium.

St Kilda has scored just 19.40 from its past three matches, and 17.27 from its past three mega losses at GMHBA Stadium.

Saint Seb Ross had a tough day. Pic: Getty Images

The effort was OK yet the ball use was ordinary. Jack Billings added two behinds and didn’t record an effective kick until the end of the third quarter.

After Billings’ first behind, the Cats kicked long and down the corridor to Brandan Parfitt, who stood by himself.

In a matter of seconds they whisked the ball coast-to-coast to Daniel Menzel, who kicked the first of four consecutive goals for the match.

The Cats’ ball movement was bliss. For all of St Kilda’s grunt, and they won clearances 43-30, there was little polish to match.

Menzel, the AFL’s most undervalued player, finished with 5.3 to cap the most productive month of his career — 14 goals.

The sharpshooter, who is only on about $200,000 after receiving little love as a free agent last year, booted the last goal of the first quarter and the first three of the second to kill the contest.

Daniel Menzel showed his class in the wet conditions. Pic: Getty Images

Fancy to think a lack of defensive pressure cost him selection in last year’s qualifying final.

The Saints and Cats have both struggled in the ruck this season. Opponents Tom Hickey and Rhys Stanley were both yet to record a disposal until Stanley ran into an open goal 23 minutes into the second term.

Jake Carlisle swallowed several Cats entries, Nathan Brown beat Tom Hawkins and wet conditions suited hard nut Luke Dunstan.

And third-gamer Rowan Marshall converted a tough set-shot in an impressive sign before friendly fire with Billings ended his night.

But the positives thinned very quickly against a Geelong line-up loaded with weapons. Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield were below their brilliant best and Gary Ablett was absent, but youngsters Brandon Parfitt and Jordan Cunico were at theirs.

Parfitt’s a clever little player with several deft touches in the first quarter important to the early lead.