The fans have spoken, and as voted by you, Zak Jones is the Round 12 Dare Iced Coffee Sainter of the Round.
The 100-gamer stood tall in his milestone match, adding to the celebrations with 26 disposals (11 contested), four clearances and four inside-50s as the Saints secured a 35-point win over Essendon on Sunday.
Jones has only played 10 games at his new club, but has greatly bolstered St Kilda’s midfield brigade across his limited appearances.
SAINTS MATCH CENTRE: View all stats, news and videos from Round 12
His inside grunt, skilful extractions and toughness have placed him as one of the Saints’ best for clearances, tackles, contested possessions and ground-ball gets this season.
Sunday also marked Jones’ second maximum-vote outing for the fan-voted Sainter of the Round award, moving him into third position on the leaderboard behind Jack Steele and Dan Butler.
Exciting talent Josh Battle received two votes – his first polling for 2020 – for his consistent and versatile display at the Gabba.
The 21-year-old racked up his 18 disposals, seven intercepts and nine marks all over the ground, with his placement serving as the Saints’ perfect conduit moving into attack or out of defence.
Battle also closed out his successful afternoon with a major after picking off a Bombers’ cross across the face of goal in the second quarter.
Earlier this month, the emergent swingman recommitted to the club for a further two years, seeing him remain in red, white and black until at least 2022.
Rounding out the votes this week is returning ruckman Paddy Ryder, whose quality exhibition through the middle played a major hand in the Saints’ victory.
The All-Australian chalked up 18 hit-outs, 10 disposals, four marks and three clearances after being managed against the Cats.
Ryder added to his afternoon with a steadying goal in the third term after the Bombers slotted three straight goals either side of half-time.
St Kilda will be targeting consecutive wins when they face Brisbane at the Gabba next Sunday afternoon as part of Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round.
