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Reimagine Moorabbin
- Aug 17, 2015
- 45,307
- 127,296
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
- Other Teams
- Phi Eagles & Phillies, Liverpool, PAO FC
- Banned
- #1
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Preview
Essendon v St.Kilda
After a shaky final term the Saints shook some of the early season cobwebs to hold on for a 1 point victory over the Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium.
As for the Bombers, they will be extremely disappointed with their effort against the Giants in Sydney, trailing at half time by 33 points and then failing to arrest the deficit, with the margin extending to 72 by the final siren.
Let’s have a look at possible best 22s:
St.Kilda Best 22
B: Jarryn Geary, Nathan Brown, Shane Savage
HB: Josh Battle, Callum Wilkie, Jimmy Webster
C: Jack Billings, Jack Steven, Jade Gresham
HF: Matthew Parker, Tim Membrey, Ben Long
F: Dean Kent, Josh Bruce, Jack Lonie
Foll: Rowan Marshall, Jack Steven, Sebastian Ross
I/C: Nick Hind, Luke Dunstan, Hunter Clark, Jack Newnes
Essendon Best 22
B: Adam Saad, Patrick Ambrose, Conor McKenna
HB: Mitch Brown, Michael Hurley, Jordan Ridley
C: David Zaharakis, Dylan Shiel, Matt Guelfi
HF: Dyson Heppell, Jake Stringer, Mark Baguley
F: Zach Merrett, Shaun McKernan, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Kyle Langford, Devon Smith
I/C: Andrew McGrath, Aaron Francis, Orazio Fantasia, David Myers
Medical Room
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For the Saints, star midfielder Jack Steven was on the end of a high hit midway through the final term and was forced from the ground but returned soon enough with his head bandaged.
As for the Bombers, they looked to have come through the game without any concerns.
Preview
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For the Saints & Bombers, who will meet at Marvel Stadium this Saturday afternoon, results for either side the week prior couldn't have been more dissimilar.
St.Kilda were under immense pressure from their own supporters and more broadly the football world. Having come off the back of a four win season in 2018, questions were raised of the performance of the coach, Alan Richardson, and those above him making decisions on the structure of the football department. Simon Lethlean was introduced over the summer, along with new President and SEEK co-founder Andrew Bassat to identify key issues within the football department and wider football club. An extensive review was conducted and wholesale changes were made to the coaching structure, namely those surrounding the head coach. A massive coup with Brett Ratten, former assistant under Alistair Clarkson, joining the coaching panel at the conclusion of the Hawks season. Brendon Lade, highly regarded in the industry, joined the team as an assistant coach. But one of the more intriguing appointments was Billy Slater, former NRL legend and soon-to-be Hall of Famer. Billy had been part of a very successful Melbourne Storm NRL team and to the Saints brought with him the leadership and experience of being a part of a successful organisation.
Wholesale change brought about a new-found optimism at Moorabbin, and the boys were put to work - many players admitting that this off-season had been the hardest of their entire career, both physically & mentally. They wanted to get better. They wanted to do something about last season and they wanted to do their people proud.
So with the added pressure from the outside, the Saints took to Marvel Stadium last weekend against a side that many predict to finish in lower rungs of the ladder in the Gold Coast Suns. However these are merely predictions, and credit to the Suns for the way they fought out the game. They look a much better side than many give them credit for, much like St.Kilda. As the final siren blew, and Jack Newnes admitting that there was a sense of relief post match after the Saints snuck out with a 1 point victory, you could sense the burden of performing when it matters was alleviated by the win. It has been a long time sitting on hands, but St.Kilda had a chance to begin the journey back up the ladder last week and whilst nervy, got the job done.
New recruit Matty Parker was sublime, as were the others in Callum Wilkie & ex Demon Dean Kent. However Parker was a standout for the Saints on the day, finishing with 2 goals from 17 disposals, adjudged by the fans as the best on ground.
Others who put in a good showing in the season opener were midfielders Jack Billings (28 disposals, 4 marks), Seb Ross (27 disposals, 4 marks) and Jack Steele (22 disposals, 10 tackles, 1 goal), with a cameo from live-wire small forward Jack Lonie (22 disposals, 1 goal)
Essendon's off-season was a stark contrast, with a solid end to 2018 and the inclusion of premier midfielder Dylan Shiel, many pundits had predicted the Bombers to play finals in 2019 - some even said top four. I guess the pressure was on Essendon in different ways, with the expectations to be a great side evident from early on. However the Bombers have been somewhat underwhelming in their performances thus far. I know it's only early, but Essendon had a poor showing in JLT 1, losing to a young and inexperienced Carlton by 9 points, and then travelling to Geelong and being beaten by 28. Some say it's only JLT, but recent history would suggest that most of the time, JLT form usually translates into the season proper - or at least the beginning of it. Essendon really just continued that poor form into Round 1, and were soundly beaten in what must've been tough viewing for their supporters who believed this team were better than what they had served up.
A highlight to take away from an otherwise miserable outing was the performance of skipper Dyson Heppell. We shouldn't be surprised by this point, but the Essendon captain finished with 25 disposals, 8 marks and 4 tackles - clearly the Bombers best on the day.
Potential changes
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After a very strong pre-season campaign, Hunter Clark looks set to make his season debut. Clark has been spoken very highly of over summer, some saying he was our most improved player over the break. With his damaging left foot and speed through the middle of the ground I think that 'Hunts' could be a good inclusion against a side that like to move the ball quickly.
Other notable inclusions could be Rowan Marshall for Lewis Pierce & Nathan Brown returning from suspension, replacing promising but inexperienced defender Darragh Joyce.
Key Match-Ups
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Zach Merrett
Many would suggest that Zach Merrett is one of, if not the most important player on the Bombers list. After only 16 disposals last week in the loss to GWS, Merrett would be eager to bounce back and put in a good showing against the Saints this weekend. For St.Kilda to be any chance they will need to quell Merrett's influence in the middle. It will depend on how coach Alan Richardson wants to play him, however we could see a tagging role open up for Jack Steele who was superb against Merrett in their Round 21 clash last season.
Michael Hurley
St.Kilda's tall forwards, namely Josh Bruce, will have to be producing in front of goal if St.Kilda hope to kick a winning score on Saturday afternoon. Essendon key defender Michael Hurley could be the Bombers best in the backline, and will take some effort to stop his influence.
Tom Bellchambers v Lewis Pierce / Rowan Marshall
Depending on which of the Saints lines up in the ruck on Saturday, either of them will need to have much more influence in the middle of the ground than in weeks prior. Last week Lewis Pierce was shut out of the game against Suns ruckman Jarrod Witts - only managing 27 hit-outs and 6 touches. Pierce was soundly beaten, and the competition doesn't get any easier this week. First use will be critical given the new rules.
Tip
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It's a pretty interesting game to predict. St.Kilda were decent at times last weekend but also faded in the second half and were lucky to hold on to a win. A good start for the Saints in an otherwise pretty disappointing few weeks off-field. Evidence from St.Kilda's 2 JLT performances and stages throughout their Round 1 contest would suggest that there is definitely a change in game plan, and it will be interesting to see how it stacks up against an Essendon outfit who were quite frankly embarrassed in their opening game of the year.
I feel as though it is a bigger game for the Bombers than the Saints. Statistically, over the last ten seasons, 49 teams have started a season 0-2, and only 3 of them have made the finals in the same year. If Essendon drop their bundle again on Saturday and St.Kilda run over the top of them, it could make for huge concern for the Bombers who will find themselves in an uphill battle very early on.
However with Essendon in such poor form, and injuries to key players such as Joe Daniher, I feel as though this is a game the Saints can win. I think the burden that has lifted over the boys from Moorabbin after their first win of the year will make a huge difference. With less pressure on the club this weekend, I can see St.Kilda eeking out a win in a see-sawing affair.
Saints by 4 points.
Thoughts?
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