Following a third successive loss by more than 70 points the Saints have hit the bottom of the ladder.
Is this the bottoming out of the club as they prepare for a rise up the ladder? Or is this a position Saints fans need to get used to?
With more than half the season gone it’s a good time to look at where it’s all gone wrong, who’s worth keeping and how can it be fixed.
First of all let’s look at the problem, but where do you start?
After three wins from the opening five games the Saints’ decline started against the previously winless Lions. Seven straight defeats has seen them sink to the bottom of the ladder.
They have the second worst offence and the second worst defence, so it’s little wonder they have had difficulty racking up any wins of late.
Alan Richardson came to the club late in the pre-season with a view to ensure the Saints showed a level of effort and intensity in each match, regardless of the result.
At present the Saints sit last in one percenters, third last in contested possession, and despite their opposition having plenty of the ball only sit 12th in tackles.
In a team that lacks depth and quality, effort is the one area where they can improve dramatically, regardless of the quality of the personnel. They have a forward line lacking options. Take away Jack Riewoldt and the scoring options are almost non-existent.
The other issue up forward is the ease in which opposition defenders rebound the ball. The age and game profile of their ruckmen is very young – Tom Hickey was showing some promise, however his long-term injury has exposed Billy Longer, who is well short of the standard required.
Interestingly Longer left Brisbane for more opportunities to be the main ruckman, but sadly he appears to be a couple of seasons away from taking on this mantle. While Longer will likely be a good long-term prospect, he really needs support in the ruck now – meaning Rhys Stanley must play despite the frustrations of his inconsistent performances.
The Saints seem to have their tall defenders sorted this season with very few tall forwards getting hold of the Saints, even despite the amount of ball that has gone down there. The issue in defence is the lack of quality small defenders.
The midfield have been up and down but the fact the Saints sit second last in total disposals, second last in disposal efficiency and have the second highest total of clangers, suggests a real lack of skill and ball winning ability.
If you can’t win the ball or turn it over when you do win it, then any desire to work hard to get the ball back quickly disappears.
So what has gone right for the Saints?
Luke Delaney has been solid against a strong tide of opposition forward 50 entries and will provide the cornerstone for a stable defence to be built around.
The Saints have also unearthed some talented young players – headlined by Luke Dunstan and Jack Billings – and the development of youngsters like Jack Newnes and Cameron Shenton has been a plus. Tom Hickey was developing at the start of the year and others have shown small glimpses, but that about sums up any positives for the season.
So where to for the Saints? Do they just pump games into the young players and hope they develop?
The issue is the lack of experience on their list. They have placed their hopes on developing a core group of young players in the hope they will develop together into a competitive bunch along the lines of Port Adelaide and Geelong. But the stats suggest there is a long hard road ahead with this path.
Many players are yet to play 10 games, quite a few have played less than 20 and others are yet to get to the 30-game mark. There are almost 20 players who have played or been earmarked for roles in the Saints team who have yet to play much more than a season of AFL football.
Yes, they need games but will 70-point defeats each week assist there development?
They need to get the balance right. There needs to be a blend of experienced players, mid-ranged players and youngsters, to ensure that the inexperienced players aren’t exposed too much and risk having a negative impact on their development.
The remainder of the season needs to be dedicated to sorting out who can play and who needs to be moved on.
Players who have been on the list for some time and have more experience need to demonstrate they deserve a spot in the team each week. Shane Savage, Dylan Robertson, Stanley and Beau Maister have played at least 40 game but are struggling to influence matches.
All are currently in the VFL and should be made to dominate that level before being considered. All bar Stanley should be moved on at the end of the year.
The veterans need to continue to hang in there to help shield the younger players from total exposure. Nick Riewoldt, Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna, Sam Fisher, Adam Schneider and Farren Ray are valuable teachers for the next generation.
That leaves the youngsters. Some have shown glimpses of a bright future, some have struggled and some have yet to be tried. So who should they keep and who needs to go?
Arryn Siposs, Trent Dennis-Lane, Terry Milera, Mav Weller, Tom Lee, Brodie Murdoch and Sam Dunell should be given as many games as possible to ensure decisions can be made on their futures. All have shown some glimpses but have not taken their opportunities. Ultimately the Saints lack of depth and quality would suggest all will be given at least another season to develop.
Over the remainder of the season the Saints need to find a line up, structure and game plan that works. They need to ensure that all players have a clear role within the team. With 10 games to go the Saints need to look at blocking out the games and allow players to be tried and evaluated.
Giving blocks of three to four games to players to settle and show what they have will help to plan for next year. For what its worth the Saints should consider this line up.
B: Dempster, Delaney, Curren
HB: Webster, Bruce, Gwilt
C: Ray, Weller, Newnes
HF: Montagna, Stanley, Murdoch
F: Hayes, Riewoldt, Simpkin
R: Longer, Steven, Armitage
I: Ross, Dunstan, Milera, Shenton
The Saints need a serious overhaul of their list. They need a tall forward, speedy midfielders and a small defender, in addition to stockpiling young players.
Unfortunately, while youngsters are given game time, the only possible outcome for the Saints for the next two or three seasons is more of what we’ve seen over the past two months – a long hard slog.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
There's never a bad time for a torp!
Jimmy Webster ironed him out!
It’s simple for the Saints – if you have the money, spend it. Rumours of the club putting forward a $12 million, eight-year deal…
Absolutely unnecessary from Dunstall!
Former St Kilda player Sam Fisher has received a jail sentence of five years and four months over drug trafficking and drug possession. The…
