The Analyser is a new weekly blog I will be writing that will analyse St Kilda's performance in depth.
This will include analysis of individual player performances, match-ups and passages of play.
The idea behind the blog is to uncover aspects of the performance that supporters may not notice. It will also serve to cover parts of the game that mainstream media usually don't report.
The goal is to provide Saints fans with an alternative view and opinion of parts of the game in a informative and enjoyable piece.
THE ANALYSER - RND 18 - STK vs ADE
The Saints 103 point win over an insipid Adelaide outfit was the first time the club has put 4 quarters together this season. The Crows score of 3.6.24 was the lowest score in the clubs history, the lowest score ever at Etihad Stadium and the lowest score St Kilda has conceded since Round 12, 1971.
This weeks edition of The Analyser looks at the performance of several unheralded players and examines some of the match ups that contributed to the result.
DEAN POLO
The performance of Dean Polo has sounded the death knell to Andrew McQualter's career.
Mini has been a solid squad player but Polo's ability to win contested possessions and effectively close down an opposition player is an upgrade.
His ability to hit a target with a quick handball in a contested situation is brilliant and was again on for show against the Crows.
Early in the first quarter, in a contested scramble 15m out from the Saints goal, Polo had the cleanest hands when he flicked out a handball to Milne, was who rushing past and goaled.
30 seconds later, Polo won another contested ball on the wing and flung a look away handball over his head to a teammate which resulted in an eventual goal again to Milne.
His awareness in contested situations was a constant highlight for the whole match. The addition of Polo to the midfield rotation has improved the team and is a big tick for Ross Lyon’s decision to recruit him.
DAVID ARMITAGE
Have you ever seen a better display of defensive pressure and tackling?
After being the substitute the past 2 games, Armitage’s output was outstanding. His attack on the ball was ferocious and was directly involved in 4 of the Saints goals.
He set the benchmark for team defensive pressure early in the first quarter when he ran down Nathan Van Berlo as Adelaide attacked the centre corridor. The spillage resulted in Adam Schneider running into an open goal.
In the third quarter, he barreled into young Adelaide defender Daniel Talia as the Crows were about to whisk the ball inside 50 and seconds later applied a crunching tackle on Michael Doughty that flung the ball 20 metres in the opposite direction.
His attack on the footy set up several goals and this kind of performance is what Saints fans always knew he was capable of.
Looking forward to seeing him crunch some of the younger Gold Coast bodies.
JACK STEVEN’S DISPOSAL
During Jack’s emergence as a future superstar of the club there has still been one question mark of his abilities; his disposal has been something that regularly lets him down.
This query was put to bed during the game with his most damaging performance by foot to date.
Steven repeatedly spotted targets in the corridor and executed perfect kicks to them. This was the springboard of a number of attacks.
Then there was the beautiful little hit up to Milne’s chest 35m out and the great vision to spot Riewoldt moving to the hot spot 15m out.
We have quite a player on our hands. It’s scary that he has only played 23 games.
THE RESURRECTION OF JASON GRAM
It’s great to see Jason Gram back in good form again. One play from Friday night epitomises his change in attitude and work rate that is the reason why he is starting to reach the heights of his 2009 season.
Farren Ray took a mark at half back and ignored Gram, who was sprinting past for the handball. Ray kicked the ball to Sean Dempster at centre half forward, who gave it to the running Gram whose kick hit Riewoldt on the chest inside 50.
The workrate in this instance was outstanding and shows that he may be over his injury worries and back to his damaging best.
SEAN DEMPSTER VS BERNIE VINCE
Dempster completely ripped the life out of Vince in the first half. Further viewing of the match up shows an astonishing display of shut down footy.
Vince could only manage 3 touches in the first half, one of which was a smothered kick.
Even an assumed Neil Craig rev-up at half time couldn’t restore Vince’s confidence and Dempster’s pressure resulted in an extraordinary amount of consecutive clangers at the start of the third quarter.
Within five 3rd quarter minutes, Vince missed a double fisted defensive punch, scrubbed a kick across his defensive 50, missed a handball target in defence, gave away a shot on goal by infringing on Dempster in a contest and hit Clinton Jones on the chest in his defensive 50 and cost his side a goal.
Dempster is proving to be an elite shut down player. He is fully deserving of this recognition especially considering he doesn't niggle opponents with illegal tactics.
Am really looking forward to his contest with Ablett or Rischitelli on Saturday night.
ZAC DAWSON VS KURT TIPPETT
Tippett has been a multiple goalkicker against the Saints since Zac joined the club.
Despite the fact the ball wasn't in Adelaide's forward half much, keeping Tippett goalless was a big win for Dawson against a bogey opponent.
This scalp goes along with Drew Petrie, Jay Schulz and Josh Kennedy and shows that Zac is regaining his confidence.
Ross Lyon should be pleased because he has showed a lot of faith in Zac, who struggled for form early this season.
THE RESTRICTION OF ADELAIDE’S PRIME MOVERS
The disposal figures of several of Adelaide’s runners were a big win for Lyon’s match ups and the Saints players’ accountability.
Andy Otten, Bernie Vince, Brett Reilly and Brad Symes could only manage 45 disposals between each other.
Adam Schneider, after keeping Shannon Hurn to 9 touches last week, was Reilly’s most frequent opponent and completely shut him out of the game in the second half.
The improvement in the accountability and defensive pressure of the Saints forwards is starting to have a real impact, both statistically and on the scoreboard.
THE FINAL WORD
I really hope my fellow St Kilda fans enjoy reading this piece.
Would love any feedback, comments, opinions and suggestions to improve the blog.
Will try and release next week’s ‘The Analyser’, on the Gold Coast match, a bit earlier than Wednesday.
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