Leigh Montagna
Montagna led the Saints midfield brigade on Saturday, demonstrating his class and composure with the ball and ferocity in the clinches. He collected 27 disposals at 81 per cent efficiency, laid six tackles, and booted two goals. The elusive ball-winner is due to play his 200th AFL match against North Melbourne, and enters the milestone game in fantastic form, averaging 26.9 disposals per game for the season.
Jack Steven
The big improvement in Steven’s 2013 season compared to previous years has been his consistency. He is racking up 20+ touches on a regular basis, with his efforts against the Bulldogs no exception. Illustrating how valuable he is around stoppages and in one-one-one situations, 15 of Steven’s 27 possessions were contested on the weekend.
Sam Fisher
Fisher was closely followed by Bulldogs forward Dylan Addison, but still managed to break clear and collect 19 disposals from half-back. The defender provides great stability in the back half and on Saturday began numerous forward thrusts with his clean skills and willingness to break the lines.
James Gwilt
Gwilt’s 100th game was a typically efficient performance from the reliable defender. He collected 16 disposals at 94 per cent efficiency and also registered five rebound 50s. Gwilt held Bulldogs forward Tom Williams goalless, not allowing him any space to move and rarely being beaten in an aerial contest.
Nick Riewoldt
Riewoldt continues to amaze. His gut-running and leadership is just as revered as his precocious football ability. He played a little deeper on Saturday in comparison to his high-roaming roles in previous weeks, and the adjustment worked, the skipper booting 4.2 from 12 disposals on Dale Morris. His soccer goal was reminiscent of his match-winning effort against the Bulldogs in the 2009 preliminary final, when he pounced on a loose ball at ground level to put the Saints into the Grand Final.
You can follow Tom Morris on Twitter: @tommorris32
