The Saints have had a hard few years recently. With the loss of their coach at the end of 2013 and then the wooden spoon for 2014, you would think that they have hit rock bottom.
Is there anything that can help them improve?
If the game against the Suns is anything to go by, then there are a few things there to like. The new combination of Nick Riewoldt and Josh Bruce on the forward line is strong and getting stronger.
The development of their younger players is also promising. They are starting to show skill and are thinking about what they want to do with the ball.
This week they face off against Collingwood who they have not won against since Round 3 2010. Since then they have lost seven, along with the grand final draw.
The Saints have more to prove in this game than Collingwood.
A look at the stats from this year shows that the Magpies are ranked last, with an average of 67.9 per cent in effective disposals. The Saints are at 74.4 per cent and ranked seventh – an improvement on last year.
One of the major differences in statistics this year has been in relation to the mark average. The Pies mark on average 56.5 per game. The Saints, on the other hand, accrue 100.5 marks per game – almost double that of the Pies.
Even with all the things that are against the Magpies, they should be able to win this game. While the Saints have shown their quality, they have also shown their failings. In their loss to GWS, they did stay in touch with the Giants and if they had been able to kick straight in the last quarter they should have be able to take control of the match.
For the Saints to win this, they will have to keep the pressure on the Magpies for the full four quarters and kick straight. Pies by four.
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