Blowtorch turned on St Kilda coach Alan Richardson after 56-point loss to Brisbane Lions
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd has turned the blowtorch on St Kilda coach Alan Richardson after the club’s 56-point loss to Brisbane Lions.
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An impressive debut from St Kilda’s marquee recruit Dan Hannebery was the silver lining in a horror display that could prove catastrophic to their finals chances.
Hannebery’s debut was overshadowed by an electrifying effort from Brisbane Lions forward Charles Cameron, whose five goals were the difference as they ruthlessly exploited shocking St Kilda spells in the first and third terms.
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With a top eight spot on the line, St Kilda’s dire display will pile pressure on coach Alan Richardson, leaving them 6-7 with a poor percentage for a finals aspirant.
Poor disposal and a lack of intensity underpinned St Kilda’s performance, as the Lions claimed their first interstate win since the Round 2 triumph over North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium to rise to sixth on the ladder, winning 17.13 (115) to to 8.11 (59).
LLOYD SAYS HEAT ON RICHARDSON
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd has forecast a dire future for St Kilda coach Alan Richardson after the Saints crashed to a 56-point loss against Brisbane. As the Saints slumped to 6-7 to be a game and a hefty percentage gap outside the top eight, Lloyd declared Richardson would not be in charge at Moorabbin in 2020. “I don’t think he’ll be the coach of St Kilda next year,” Lloyd said on 3AW. “When it happens — will he see out the year? That’s the question.”
CAMERON CLOSING ON CAREER-BEST SEASON
Tim Michell
Charlie Cameron enhanced his growing reputation as one of the AFL’s best small forwards with an electric display in Brisbane Lions’ 56-point victory over St Kilda.
Cameron drew equal with Eddie Betts on 26 goals with five against the Saints, including three in the opening 28 minutes as Brisbane seized control.
Despite sustaining a cork near his knee, Cameron dominated his match-up with Dan McKenzie to finish with 5.1 from 13 disposals.
Michael Walters (28) is the only small forward with more goals than Betts and Cameron to Round 14, with the Lions livewire on track for a career-best campaign.
Cameron twice kicked 29 goals in a season during his time with Adelaide, but is on track to eclipse his 2015 and 2017 efforts in coming weeks.
“I got a corkie on that third goal and then it slowed me down a bit,” he said on Fox Footy.
“After that first half I tried to get going (again).”
Captain Dayne Zorko (28 disposals) and Daniel Rich (24 disposals, 11 marks) were other key contributors as Brisbane recorded its eighth win of 2019.
“We were quite disappointed after the Carlton game,” Zorko said.
“But we understood we did a lot of good work in the first 12 rounds and we didn’t want that to go to waste.
“We got another opportunity to play at Marvel and I thought … we started really well, which was the key.”
The Lions led by 20 points at halftime before an emphatic nine-goal third quarter stretched the margin to 70 with a term to play.
The Saints kicked three goals to one in the last quarter to trim the final margin to under 10 goals.
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DELAYED GRATIFICATION
Richardson and his medical team knew they would attract criticism when they decided to wrap Hannebery in cotton wool on the eve of the season to rebuild his body as he battled hamstring and calf issues.
While it was a shrewd considering Hannebery’s lucrative five-year deal, some coaches facing similar pressure may have opted to fast-track the debut of a three time All-Australian.
Hannebery’s return looked set to lift the Saints at one stage as they drew to within a point of the Lions early in the second term, before the Lions kicked 11 of the next 12 goals.
His first touch drew a loud cheer from the Saints faithful — many of whom had left well before the final siren — and his 27 disposals suggested he could have a huge impact in the last nine games of the season.
Hannebery’s 11 first quarter possessions was the highlight, underlined by his tidy hands in and under and ability to attract the footy, but he clearly ran out of steam.
Nonetheless, Hannebery’s leadership evident was, as he directed traffic to teammates in midfield and even the leading forwards.
Jake Carlisle’s return was underwhelming, shifted to defence after starting the forward line. But like Hannebery, he will play a key role in the run home.
THE SNIFF OF SEPTEMBER
Melbourne did both teams a favour by beating Fremantle earlier in the day, but the Lions took advantage as they edge closer to their first finals appearance since 2009.
The Saints did well to work their way back into the contest, but they let the Lions off the hook late in the second term as Jarryd Lyons exploited them at the stoppages to drill two crucial goals before the halftime break, which gave Chris Fagan’s side a 20-point lead at the break.
Their third quarter was deadly, as Chris Fagan’s side ensured their fast start would not go unrewarded, moving to 8-5.
St Kilda’s other positive was the performance of second-gamer Nick Hind, who kicked three decent goals.
MARVEL MEMORIES
Brisbane was desperate for a road win, after butchering their last interstate visit — also Marvel Stadium.
The Lions started in similar fashion — on fire before Carlton’s amazing turnaround — this time, they held their nerve as the Saints threatened.
Whilst being an issue all season, the Saints’ skill level was extremely woeful in first quarter, with their first inside 50 entry not coming until midway through the first term.
Gifting the Lions a 16-point head start, it was game on once the Saints overcame a nervy start and took risks, as their pinpoint goalkicking belied their tardy ball use around the ground.
And it was a second-gamer Hind who showed supreme composure in becoming St Kilda’s offensive key with two impressive goals — the first a set shot from a tight angle as he bypassed better options on both occasions.
Thereafter, the Saints went into Hind-ing.
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