A “pretty brave” showing from Hawthorn last weekend against Melbourne will be examined closely as St Kilda looks to put a first-up blemish on the Demons’ flawless 2022 track record.
The Hawks – despite the daunting task ahead of them last Saturday – only finished 10 points in arrears following a persistent final-quarter display, with the brown-and-gold holding the reigning Premiers goalless after trailing by almost five goals at three-quarter time.
Senior coach Brett Ratten says Hawthorn’s courage to take it up to the Demons through its own ball movement, coupled with its “never-say-die” attitude and adherence in sticking to its gameplan, will be an ideal template for the Saints to work off on Sunday afternoon.
“Hawthorn’s gameplan isn’t the same as ours, but what it did say is sticking to it and persisting and that’s the challenge,” Ratten said at this morning’s press conference.
“That’s what the good teams (like Melbourne) do. They take it away from you and then you fall away and play a little bit differently, and it didn’t look like Hawthorn did to their credit.
“It looked like the game was just going to fall away but they just fought back and found a way, even from shots, I think about the same as Melbourne for the day.
“We’ll have our work cut out and we’ll have to play our best, but that’s the challenge for us which is exciting. We’ve come off a narrow loss and get this opportunity to have a go and see where we’re at as a team.”
St Kilda will have the chance to solidify its place in the top-four this week against the undefeated Melbourne, but there’s no margin for error coming up against the ladder leaders.
The Saints stumbled against Port Adelaide last weekend, letting slip four points after registering 4.18 up at Cazalys Stadium from 61 forward-50 entries.
Ratten refused to blame the conditions in Cairns for the final result, insisting that the Saints needed to place an emphasis on “maximising opportunities” heading into Round 8 and that a a performance similar to last week would rarely get the job done.
“The numbers were there with the opportunities within the game, so I don’t think it’s the venue, I think we just didn’t make the most of our opportunities,” Ratten said.
“It wasn’t all doom and gloom. It was actually a frustrating day in the box and down on the bench and on the ground as well. To have 61 inside-50s and kick four goals, there’s not a lot to cheer about for all that hard work.
“We talked about that in the review and how can we go about it and change it up, but it was just one of those days. As a team you’ve got to be ready to play anywhere.”
St Kilda is yet yet to make a decision on whether Zak Jones or Jack Billings will return to the senior ranks this weekend, but is poised to regain Rowan Marshall from a corked thigh ahead of his contest against five-time All-Australian Max Gawn.
Ratten will be without Assistant Coach Brendon Lade and Head of High Performance and Conditioning Nick Walsh for Sunday afternoon after the pair entered AFL Health & Safety protocols, but will have Corey Enright onside after he was forced into isolation last Sunday.
Hunter Clark is due to play his first VFL game since injuring his shoulder in the AAMI Community Series, but the Saints have a healthy surplus of players to call on.
Ryan Byrnes kicked three to go with his 25 touches in last week’s VFL game, Mitch Owens also bagged two rotating through the half-forward line while Jack Bytel has been cleared of any injury after going down late in the third term.
“Geary’s getting close. I thought Jarryn’s performance on the weekend was getting closer to AFL level, he wasn’t on restricted minutes which was pleasing and his contest work with his shoulder was really good as well.
“I think the depth of Tommy Highmore, he’s been in good from, Darragh Joyce has had some concussion but played really well on the weekend, Leo Connolly’s in that boat as it’s really pleasing.
“Maxxy Heath is not quite ready to play AFL, but for a young ruckman that’s playing his first year of footy in the seniors, he’s doing really well.”
