St Kilda Coach Alan Richardson believes Maverick Weller’s season has been as consistent as anyone’s at the club, following another impressive performance from the versatile forward against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.
After being dazed after a big hit to his chin in the opening minutes, Weller’s night looked like it might have ended before it really started. But after being stitched up, the hard-nosed leader returned to the ground and proceeded to produce arguably his finest effort of 2016.
The 24-year-old continued to epitomise the Saints brand of football, which is built from pressure. He set the tone with his ferocious harassment of the opposition and provided a link on transition, finishing with a season-high 22 possessions (13 contested), eight marks (four contested) and five inside 50s.
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“Mav’s been as consistent as any player on our list this year and it’s not always measured in goals or kicks or marks or handballs,” Richardson said in his post-match press conference on Saturday night.
“It’s the way he puts pressure on; it’s the contest he gives us – he inspires his teammates with his aggression and physicality. It’s why he’s in our leadership group – he was positive for us tonight.”
Richardson also praised the skipper after Nick Riewoldt kicked four goals – the most of any player on the ground – from 19 possessions and ten marks, in a telling performance by the 33-year-old.
“Riewoldt’s been in really good form, whether it’s been as a forward or as a midfielder this year. When [Dale] Morris went out of the game we wanted to have Riewoldt forward a bit more to try and make the most of that potential mismatch,” Richardson said.
When quizzed on the likelihood of Paddy McCartin returning from concussion next week, the Saints mentor indicated that the budding key forward would be close, although he suggested that McCartin would return via the VFL.
“He’ll be really close. I’m not sure whether Paddy will come straight back into the AFL team. He’s had a bit of a layoff now so there’s every chance that he’ll come back through the VFL,” Richardson said.
“He’s not a certainty to play next week, but he’s getting close to playing. He’s got a couple of boxes he’s got to tick from the doctors but it’s heading the right way.”
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