Top 5 - Round 21 St Kilda vs West Coast Eagles
Recap
A gutsy come from behind win for the Eagles which keeps the boys in the picture for a top 2 finish.
St Kilda 5.5 9.8 10.9 14.14 98
West Coast Eagles 1.1 6.4 11.9 16.10 106
Top Five
1. Character
This was a character win for us. A depleted line up, an early deficit of 5 goals, and fired up opponent and it was not looking good. But this side knows how to get itself up to win.
The team grafted and put it’s head down, ran and worked for one another and for a second week in a row took it’s chances (more or less) in front of goal.
There was a lot on the line for this game - not just the top 2 - but also the believe we could keep winning without a fit Kerr or Judd leading the midfield. Good news is the character is there and yes, we can keep winning.
2. Injuries
This is the downside. Judd has not looked likely since the Bulldogs game and it’s hard to see him improving significantly in the coming weeks. Kerr is gone until the last day in September. Embley is still out. And now, the talisman of the forward line Ashley Hansen has done a hammy. No word yet on how serious it is, but it’s not great news is it?
Just as our work rate is improving and our consistency returning, it seems injuries could yet deprive us of a fair run at the flag. Time will tell.
3. Matt Priddis
This was Priddis best game. Earlier in the season he had 39 possessions at home against the Roos, but in the context of the game this was Priddis greatest piece of work at AFL level. 36 possessions, 5 marks, 12 tackles and a brilliant goal was even more than the Doctor ordered in the absence of Daniel Kerr.
His disposal was sure and his awareness very good in the high intensity of this game, but for me, his defensive work was what stood out. Our tackling in the midfield has been poor in the second part of this year but on a night when we faced off against an attacking Saints engine room boasting Dal Santo and Hayes, Priddis did his job with an outstanding 12 tackles. With a different composition in the middle without a fit Judd and Kerr, it’s this sort of hard work that Priddis and the likes of Stenglein and others need to exemplify.
4. Functional forward line
This is the other big positive from this game is the continued improvements in the forward line. Quinten kicked 5 goals or more back to back for the first time in his career and unlike most of our other key forwards over years is actually showing a penchant to improve and not fall off as the season progresses. This is a big plus going in the finals.
Mark LeCras is continuing to add strings to his bow and his three goals from 6 kicks gives him 31 for the season from 16 games which puts him ahead of the likes of O’Loughlin, Tarrant, and Milne on a goals per game average.
Wirra did well up forward and on a ground line the Telstra Dome is still a dangerous player and his three goals early were vital.
5. Dean Cox
I could’ve raffled this one but Dean Cox is a champion and sometimes it isn’t said often enough. It’s been said before, ad infinitum, but with Kerr and Judd out of the midfield he really is another midfield option.
Against the veteran Doc Clarke Coxy recorded 33 hit-outs, a team high 9 marks and 23 possessions. At times he is brilliant but most of the time he is a just your usual 6 foot 9 running, linking midfielder.
A certainty to win his third AA jumper at the end of the season and could yet be a saving grace for our banged up midfield.
Aug 25th 2007
Good writeup as usual Bruce … nice to see you back.
I agree with just about everything, except that Cos is an AA certainty. Who knows what the hell the AA selectors are thinking sometimes? I wouldn’t be surprised if he was, but they could do anything …
Also it’s probably worth mentioning that the Saints were a bit depleted too (Hudghton & Harvey, plus Baker though it served him right). Not taking anything away from our guys, it was fantastic the way they lifted and ground out a win after looking totally out of it early.
Aug 25th 2007
… and of course I meant Cox. Not sure who Cos is, but I don’t think he’s an AA certainty either.
Aug 26th 2007
True who knows what the AA selectors are thinking - but based on form, how could you go past him? That statement was my little act of a support for the Coxy for AA cause
The Saints are always injured aren’t they? I think the second half of the season has shown they will be a much better side next season with some of those players back and a year under their Lyon’s game plan.
Aug 26th 2007
I’ve missed your Top 5’s. I’m trying to muster as much to say about Swans games, of late I have been struggling.
Caught the 2nd half on cable TV. Was impressed with Priddis and Le Cras as you pointed out. Also the “gut running” (as it was described by David Schwarz) of Ben Cousins was outstanding. He seemed to pop up at every contest. He’s definitely back.
Aug 28th 2007
Was watching this over a couple of bottles of red in Adelaide, surrounded by Crows supporters who picked up earlier than me that the Eagles were getting on top in the second quarter.
Noted how the Saints were coming under more pressure in the tackles and started to play keepy off rather than going for goal. I was too caught up in the margin.
I thought Big Q was exceptional - not only for the leads and goals but also the play further up the field. He’s obviously bloody fit because he led MacGuire all over the ground.
Anyone else see the Port-Geelong game on Sunday? Clues for the finals?
Aug 28th 2007
Good write up, yet again!
I thought Glassy might have pipped the Big Cox for your number 5 spot… He played an awesome game on the G-Flop
Aug 28th 2007
Thanks for the comments guys.
Swingdog - saw second half of the Geelong - Port game, as everyone has said it was a ripper.
To be honest both teams looked a bit iffy under pressure and not like world beaters. The commentators put it down to the “hot” weather (must’ve cracked 20) but it was a high pressure game.
Geelong looked average up forward and their midfield was missing Ling, Bartel and Selwood and so was a bit pedestrian. Port had some good run from the back line, plenty of ball from the Cornes’ and their forwards took turns at stepping up when needed. Port were no doubt the aggressors and initiators of much of the play and deserved to win.
In short, if we get ourselves reasonably fit I fancy our chances come finals time.
Aug 28th 2007
How good was TFBU! He made the Goose a goose! He lead, marked and kicked straight. I just hope in ‘the big red melon’s’ absense he can do the same. Any thoughts on Staker as a regular (other) forward pocket? I think he’d make a great foil for Frenchy and TFBU. He can take a grab, adds a certain element of unpredictability and could station himself in the square while the other two lead up the ground. He’s also a better kick in close than from 40-50m. Also, how long can we play a crippled Judd? Surely someone fit provides a better option.
Aug 29th 2007
I think Judd’s filling a hole in the forward line at the moment. We need to judge him on his effectiveness as a forward pocket, not as the gun midfielder he has been.
Put it this way, as long as he’s there, the opposition is committed to tagging him with one of their better players because they’re never really sure of what he can do.
Aug 29th 2007
I feel a bit for Staker - he’s the bloke that gets switched based on match-ups and played in the defence on Friday. Must be hard to get into a rhythm going forward and back. But with Hansen missing we’ll need him to stand up at CHF this week