- Oct 2, 2010
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St Kilda doing its homework on how to get jump on opponents under new man on the mark rule
A new rule clamping down on the man on the mark could cost teams 50m penalties and goals. That's why the Saints are determined to be one step ahead.
Jay Clark
Newly re-signed St Kilda backman Callum Wilkie
says players will have to fight their natural instincts on the mark to prevent conceding soft 50m penalties and easy goals early this season.
The Herald Sun can reveal Wilkie, who was this week elevated into the leadership group, has signed a two-year contract extension after his excellent start to his career at the Saints.
The 24-year-old said the Saints have prioritised their defence over summer after conceding the second-most points of the top-eight teams last season.
The new rule to prevent any movement from the man on the mark poses a huge challenge for players, who Wilkie said would naturally want to move laterally to close down angles for the opposition.
Wilkie, who has been a revelation playing 41 games in his first two seasons, said the Saints have been going to work on the new rule to try to limit any early-season infringements.
“It is tough because your natural instinct is (to move) to close down the inside 45 (degree kick),” Wilkie said.
“Or just move around when you are on the mark when someone is having a set shot because you are really just trying to put them off somehow.
“We are really trying to train to stand (still) there like they are saying, (because) they (umpires) are giving 50m away which is going to cost goals, so it is going to be hard.
“We have been trying to drill it in for the past month, and obviously trying to find ways around it.”
Umpires have been instructed to clamp down on any lateral movement from the players on the mark in a bid to encourage quicker and more free-flowing play from the team in possession.
St Kilda co-captain Jack Steele
says the teams who make the adjustment quickly will stand to benefit in the new season.
“It is a bit difficult to start with, but we have all embraced it and the teams which adapt best to that are going to be best-placed, especially early in the season,” Steele said.
Wilkie, who was overlooked at four national drafts and worked as an accountant before he was rookie-listed by the Saints, said he was thrilled to receive the leadership nod from his peers.
“It is a huge honour to get the endorsement from my peers and all the staff in the football department,” he said.
“It is a really exciting group going forward hopefully over the next 10 years and I’m excited to be a part of it.
“I feel like I see the game well, I think that is one of my biggest strengths, and I may not be the quick or powerful athlete that a lot of other players are.
“But being able to see the game well and helping people get to the right spots I think has helped me come a long way.”
St Kilda list chief James Gallagher
said Wilkie had thoroughly deserved a two-year contract extension.
“Since he’s come into the side, he’s become an integral part of our backline and that will no doubt continue moving forward,” Gallagher said.
“Last season we saw Cal really accelerate his leadership. Alongside fellow backman Dougal Howard
, he has been enormous when it comes to setting the standards for the entire group.
“It’s testament to Cal’s work ethic and professionalism that he’s been able to achieve what he has from starting out as a mature-age rookie.”
A new rule clamping down on the man on the mark could cost teams 50m penalties and goals. That's why the Saints are determined to be one step ahead.
Jay Clark
Newly re-signed St Kilda backman Callum Wilkie
PLAYERCARDSTART
44
Callum Wilkie
- Age
- 28
- Ht
- 191cm
- Wt
- 88kg
- Pos.
- Def
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 14.2
- 4star
- K
- 9.8
- 4star
- HB
- 4.4
- 3star
- M
- 4.5
- 4star
- T
- 1.8
- 4star
- MG
- 221.3
- 3star
- D
- 12.6
- 3star
- K
- 9.0
- 4star
- HB
- 3.6
- 2star
- M
- 2.6
- 3star
- T
- 1.4
- 2star
- MG
- 223.1
- 3star
- D
- 14.0
- 4star
- K
- 8.4
- 4star
- HB
- 5.6
- 4star
- M
- 4.6
- 5star
- T
- 2.2
- 4star
- MG
- 170.0
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
The Herald Sun can reveal Wilkie, who was this week elevated into the leadership group, has signed a two-year contract extension after his excellent start to his career at the Saints.
The 24-year-old said the Saints have prioritised their defence over summer after conceding the second-most points of the top-eight teams last season.
The new rule to prevent any movement from the man on the mark poses a huge challenge for players, who Wilkie said would naturally want to move laterally to close down angles for the opposition.
Wilkie, who has been a revelation playing 41 games in his first two seasons, said the Saints have been going to work on the new rule to try to limit any early-season infringements.
“It is tough because your natural instinct is (to move) to close down the inside 45 (degree kick),” Wilkie said.
“Or just move around when you are on the mark when someone is having a set shot because you are really just trying to put them off somehow.
“We are really trying to train to stand (still) there like they are saying, (because) they (umpires) are giving 50m away which is going to cost goals, so it is going to be hard.
“We have been trying to drill it in for the past month, and obviously trying to find ways around it.”
Umpires have been instructed to clamp down on any lateral movement from the players on the mark in a bid to encourage quicker and more free-flowing play from the team in possession.
St Kilda co-captain Jack Steele
PLAYERCARDSTART
9
Jack Steele
- Age
- 28
- Ht
- 187cm
- Wt
- 90kg
- Pos.
- Mid
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 20.9
- 5star
- K
- 8.7
- 3star
- HB
- 12.2
- 5star
- M
- 3.7
- 4star
- T
- 6.8
- 5star
- CL
- 3.6
- 5star
- D
- 21.3
- 5star
- K
- 10.0
- 4star
- HB
- 11.3
- 5star
- M
- 4.0
- 4star
- T
- 5.8
- 5star
- CL
- 4.6
- 5star
- D
- 16.8
- 4star
- K
- 5.0
- 2star
- HB
- 11.8
- 5star
- M
- 2.6
- 3star
- T
- 6.4
- 5star
- CL
- 3.6
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
“It is a bit difficult to start with, but we have all embraced it and the teams which adapt best to that are going to be best-placed, especially early in the season,” Steele said.
Wilkie, who was overlooked at four national drafts and worked as an accountant before he was rookie-listed by the Saints, said he was thrilled to receive the leadership nod from his peers.
“It is a huge honour to get the endorsement from my peers and all the staff in the football department,” he said.
“It is a really exciting group going forward hopefully over the next 10 years and I’m excited to be a part of it.
“I feel like I see the game well, I think that is one of my biggest strengths, and I may not be the quick or powerful athlete that a lot of other players are.
“But being able to see the game well and helping people get to the right spots I think has helped me come a long way.”
St Kilda list chief James Gallagher
PLAYERCARDSTART
James Gallagher
- Age
- 44
- Ht
- 176cm
- Wt
- 70kg
- Pos.
- D/M
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 12.3
- 3star
- K
- 8.2
- 3star
- HB
- 4.1
- 3star
- M
- 2.5
- 3star
- T
- 1.5
- 3star
No current season stats available
- D
- 16.2
- 4star
- K
- 12.2
- 5star
- HB
- 4.0
- 3star
- M
- 3.2
- 4star
- T
- 1.0
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
“Since he’s come into the side, he’s become an integral part of our backline and that will no doubt continue moving forward,” Gallagher said.
“Last season we saw Cal really accelerate his leadership. Alongside fellow backman Dougal Howard
PLAYERCARDSTART
20
Dougal Howard
- Age
- 28
- Ht
- 199cm
- Wt
- 94kg
- Pos.
- Def
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 10.9
- 3star
- K
- 7.8
- 3star
- HB
- 3.1
- 3star
- M
- 4.4
- 4star
- T
- 1.4
- 3star
- MG
- 176.2
- 3star
- D
- 9.9
- 3star
- K
- 8.4
- 3star
- HB
- 1.4
- 1star
- M
- 4.7
- 4star
- T
- 0.6
- 1star
- MG
- 171.9
- 3star
- D
- 9.0
- 3star
- K
- 5.4
- 2star
- HB
- 3.6
- 3star
- M
- 2.8
- 3star
- T
- 2.8
- 5star
- MG
- 133.8
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
“It’s testament to Cal’s work ethic and professionalism that he’s been able to achieve what he has from starting out as a mature-age rookie.”