Overview
ST KILDA’s season began in the perfect way with wins over Melbourne and then GWS, handing Alan Richardson his first two victories as a senior coach.
A competitive first-half against West Coast in Perth wasn’t enough to secure the points, while a sub-standard effort against Adelaide the following week leveled the Saints' win/loss tally and hardened their resolve.
Jack Billings’ performance in just his second AFL game against Essendon in round five warmed the hearts of St Kilda fans, as did the 16-point win.
So at 3-2, the Saints were exceeding the majority of external expectations. A promising blend of exciting youth and dependable experience, combined with a game plan that placed a high emphasis on fierce defence, had fans optimistic heading into the Anzac Day match against Brisbane.
Despite a spirited fight back, the Saints went down to the Lions in Wellington and followed this up with their worst performance of the year against Hawthorn in round seven.
A nine-day break allowed Alan Richardson to reflect, regroup and recharge for Monday night football – but by then St Kilda’s injury crisis had taken its full toll.
Defenders Sam Gilbert, Sam Fisher and Nathan Wright were all medium to long-term propositions, while Eli Templeton, Jarryn Geary and Tom Hickey each left big holes in the Saints line-up.
Yet with vacancies come opportunities, and Arryn Siposs, Cameron Shenton, Terry Milera, Maverick Weller, Josh Bruce, Blake Acres (also now injured) and Billy Longer were all beneficiaries of their teammates’ misfortune.
Yes wins and losses are important – this is a results business, but it’s Alan Richardson’s vision, and by extension St Kilda Football Club’s vision, that is most pivotal when evaluating the first nine rounds of the year.
35 players have pulled on the red, white and black guernsey in 2014, the second most in the AFL. Evidently, injuries have taken their toll, but it’s this exposure to the elite level which bodes well for the future.
The highlights
St Kilda’s three wins: most notably the 16-point victory over Essendon in round five.
Trailing by three goals at quarter time, the Saints booted three goals to the Bombers' two behinds in the second term and added another four majors in the third to narrowly lead at the final break.
Despite full-ground pressure from Essendon, St Kilda held on to record a memorable victory.
The potential B&F top 5
Nick Riewoldt
It’s highly likely that Nick Riewoldt will lead the Brownlow medal with six votes after rounds one and two, and the Saints skipper’s dominant early-season form is likely to have positioned at the pointy end of this year’s best and fairest.
Riewoldt has booted 24 goals in the opening nine rounds, and although he had quiet games against Brisbane and Hawthorn, the key forward has never given up and looks to be on track for his fifth All-Australian selection.
Lenny Hayes
After a frustrating 2013 where injuries took their toll on the veteran midfielder, Hayes has enjoyed mini-resurgence this year as St Kilda’s most consistent midfielder.
Not only is the 285-gamer averaging 27 disposals per game, his most prolific return since 2010, but he’s also leading the club for tackles and is second to Leigh Montagna for clearances.
Yet Hayes’ influence stretches far beyond his proven playing ability, with his leadership and off-field instruction proving instrumental in the development of young midfielders such as Luke Dunstan and Tom Curren.
Leigh Montagna
Montagna was suspended for round one and immediately made an impact upon his return, yet it wasn’t until rounds five, six and seven until the 30-year-old really hit his straps.
Across three outstanding weeks Montagna averaged 35 touches and seven tackles per outing. While his most recent fortnight has been much quieter, five top-three best and fairest finishes in the past seven years suggest he’s likely to poll votes again this year.
Farren Ray
It’s been 18 matches and almost 11 months since Farren Ray last played a game in which he gathered fewer than 20 disposals in a match, and it’s this consistency that has the wingman well-placed to better his 2013 ninth place finish in the best and fairest.
He’s averaging a career-best 23.8 touches per game, and is enjoying his role as a link-man from defence to attack.
Sean Dempster
Dempster finished seventh in the 2013 best and fairest and is in the midst of another superb season for the Saints.
The unheralded defender is ranked second at the club for marks and is rarely, if ever, defeated in a one-on-one contest.
HONOURABLE MENTION
Luke Delaney
The ex-Kangaroo full-back has filled an important hole in St Kilda’s backline this year, regularly playing on and beating the opposition’s strongest key forward.
While he is unlikely to be recognised externally, internally the St Kilda coaching staff will be full of praise for the 24-year-old, who has fitted in seamlessly after joining the Saints in last year’s trade period.
The most improved
Jack Newnes
Newnes’ numbers are excellent for a youngster who has played just 34 games of AFL football.
After impressing at times in his 18 games last year, Newnes hasn’t missed a match in 2014 and has become one of St Kilda’s best ball-users either on the wing or off half-back.
The 21-year-old, who was selected with pick No.37 in the 2011 National Draft, is averaging 20 disposals per game this year and amassed a career-high 29 touches against the Gold Coast in round nine.
Tom Hickey
Tom Hickey’s foot injury has halted what was becoming a breakout season for the young ruckman.
Following Ben McEvoy’s departure last November, Hickey was handed the number one ruck duties and immediately impressed, booting three goals and gathering 19 disposals against the Giants' Shane Mumford in round two.
While Hickey is not expected to return until about round 16, his early season progression suggests the left-footer has a big future ahead of him.
Jimmy Webster
It’s hard to believe that it’s only been 12 months since Jimmy Webster debuted for St Kilda.
In that time he’s established himself as a vital cog in the Saints defensive structure, utilising his raking left foot and dash superbly, and also nullifying the influence of a range of opposition key playmakers.
His 22 touches against the Gold Coast in round nine was a career-high, and with more consistency and further experience, Webster shapes as an integral part of St Kilda’s defence for years to come.
Tom Curren
This time last year Tom Curren was a Saints rookie who was yet to taste AFL football.
12 months on, and the 21-year-old is St Kilda’s go-to tagger and an important member of the club’s engine room.
Curren has significantly quelled Dyson Heppell, Patrick Dangerfield and Luke Shuey this season.
Rhys Stanley
Although Stanley's last fortnight hasn’t been as prolific as the first seven weeks of the year, he’s still shown enough in a forward-ruck role to suggest he’s a long-term option for Alan Richardson.
Stanley was forced to play in defence given the Saints dearth of options in 2013, but has generally reveled as a goal-kicker and back-up ruckman to either Tom Hickey or Billy Longer this season.
The kids
Jack Billings
What a talent.
Billings' crisp left foot is complemented by elite decision making, and there is no doubt that he has justified his high selection in last year’s draft after just six games.
While the 18-year-old debuted in round one, it wasn’t until he booted four goals in the final term of a VFL game that he commanded selection in the senior team.
And since his return to the fold against Essendon in round five, Billings has kicked at least one goal and gathered 15 or more touches in every match.
In fact, in St Kilda’s 145-point loss to Hawthorn in round seven, Billings was the shining light.
Blake Acres
He’s injured now, but Acres' ability to find space against the Hawks and Carlton was impressive.
When he returns from his ankle complaint, he may need to win his place back via the VFL, but given his exposure this year, it’s hard to imagine he will be spending too much time at Sandringham over the next decade.
Eli Templeton
After an enthralling start to the year, Templeton broke his arm against Brisbane and will miss the next 3-4 months.
It was a bitter blow for the Tasmanian, who booted four goals – including the sealer against GWS – in his first six games of AFL football.
Luke Dunstan
It’s been remarkable how seamlessly Dunstan has slotted into St Kilda’s midfield this year.
A Rising Star Nomination in round one, followed by a team-high 29 disposals in round three immediately catapulted the left footer into the hearts and minds of all St Kilda supporters.
While statistically he’s been a little quieter of late, his grunt work in the clinches provides a great foil for the run and carry of Leigh Montagna and Farren Ray.
The new arrivals
Josh Bruce
Bruce has added four games to his career tally after crossing from the GWS Giants in last year’s trade period.
The 21-year-old, who grew up in the ACT, made his Saints debut against Essendon and looked immediately composed at the elite level, holding down a key position in St Kilda’s backline.
Shane Savage
Savage was one of St Kilda’s best players in the pre-season, but has only managed to replicate this form irregularly in the past two months.
The ex-Hawk has played predominantly as a forward, although he did spend some time further up the ground against West Coast after coming on as the sub for Sam Gilbert.
At his best, Savage is a highly influential player who can break a game open with his pace and long-kicking – rediscovering this consistency will significantly benefit the Saints in the back half of the year.
Maverick Weller
Weller’s VFL form couldn’t be ignored any longer when he was upgraded to the senior list ahead of the Saints round seven clash against Hawthorn.
A hard-at-it midfielder who has the ability to win his own ball and play as a tagger, the ex-Gold Coast Sun has played in each of the last three games and even spent a half on Gary Ablett in round nine.
Billy Longer
Tom Hickey’s foot injury was a blessing in disguise for the talented but still raw ruckman.
Longer registered a season-high 37 hit outs against the Gold Coast Suns, but his best game was the week before in St Kilda’s loss to Carlton.
He gathered 14 possessions, laid six tackles and will get an extended run in the team now that Hickey is on the sidelines.
The stats
DISPOSALS
Lenny Hayes 216
Farren Ray 214
Leigh Montagna 210
Clint Jones 200
Jack Newnes 180
GOALS
Nick Riewoldt 24
Jack Billings 7
Leigh Montagna 7
Rhys Stanley 6
Luke Dunstan 5
MARKS
Nick Riewoldt 77
Sean Dempster 62
Rhys Stanley 57
James Gwilt 52
Farren Ray 46
