A few kicks going the right of the posts on Saturday afternoon, and Mason Wood could have had another field day against West Coast this round just gone.
While Tim Membrey led the way with a five-goal bag in the 72-point win, Wood was equally influential in the final outcome, working hard up the ground to net a 3.4 scoreboard return to go with his 19 disposals and nine marks.
Wood has made his name as a Saint in the wingman’s role since arriving as at RSEA Park in early 2021 via the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP), however has spent extended time up forward over the past month in the absence of key targets Max King, Jack Hayes and Anthony Caminiti through injury.
From Round 16 onwards, Wood’s possession heat-map has been skewed towards offence. Approximately two-thirds of his possessions have been charted within the attacking half, serving as sharp contrast to his first few games which were heavily weighted up the other end in his role as a defensive winger.
Mason's Moving Magnets
| Round | Opponent | Defensive Half Possession (%) | Offensive Half Possession (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geelong | 88 | 12 |
| 2 | Collingwood* | 50 | 50 |
| 8 | North Melbourne | 55 | 45 |
| 9 | Hawthorn | 78 | 22 |
| 10 | Fremantle | 53 | 47 |
| 11 | Melbourne | 60 | 40 |
| 12 | West Coast | 53 | 47 |
| 13 | Gold Coast | 57 | 43 |
| 14 | Brisbane | 55 | 45 |
| 16 | Port Adelaide | 50 | 50 |
| 17 | Sydney | 40 | 60 |
| 18 | Adelaide | 34 | 66 |
| 19 | West Coast | 34 | 66 |
*injured in the opening quarter
“We’ve been playing him wing and more forward, but he’s a very capable wingman and forward. He’s a real handful because of his athleticism,” Ross Lyon said post-game.
“Again, he’s culturally significant for us how he brings along the younger players like Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mattaes Phillipou… a lot of them live with him.
“He educates them how to train and how to prepare, and because he prepares so well himself he’s been able to recalibrate his career.
After missing six weeks following a sickening collarbone injury this year against Collingwood in Round 2, Wood has bounced back to good effect as his fourth year as a Saint draws to a close.
From a scoreboard sense, the recent move has been positive. Wood has kicked at least a goal in every game following the bye, jagging seven majors against the Eagles in this year’s two outings; the first — which yielded a career-best four — proving essential as the Saints fought out a come-from-behind win at Optus Stadium in Round 12.
The 30-year-old has now played as many games in St Kilda colours in four seasons (65) than he did while at North Melbourne in seven as a key forward, fully utilising his athletic capabilities while in his second shot at the elite level.
Wood's magnet might have been parked in the forward half during his time at the Roos. In red, white and black, it could go just about anywhere.
