AFL pre-season: Saints' worst nightmare strikes, Tigers backman's bag heralds 'three-headed monster', Port young guns looking Rozee

The pre-season is a time for experimentation.

Fringe half-forwards spend some time on the ball, young rookies get their chance to strut their stuff alongside some of the game’s greats, and yes, defenders sneak forward to kick goals.

However, something about Richmond premiership backman Noah Balta’s three-goal haul against Hawthorn seemed to mean more than just the standard AAMI Community Series wackiness. With strong hands, a thirst for goal and several glimpses of his trademark athleticism, the 194cm young gun, who missed the back end of 2021 with a nasty ankle injury, might be there for good.

Meanwhile, young guns Connor Rozee and Zak Butters led the way for Port Adelaide in a free-flowing trial ‘Showdown’ win over the Crows, and the Saints look destined for a nervous wait on the injury front before a Round 1 date with Collingwood.

Here’s what we learned from a bumper Saturday of footy action.

Richmond 14.10 (94) defeated Hawthorn 9.15 (69) by 25 points at Devonport Oval

Tigers’ ‘three-headed monster’ to cause migraines aplenty

Most teams have it in them to curb one key forward. Two can be trickier, but whether it be personnel or team defensive structure, the best sides still find a way to get it done.

Three Goliaths, though, and things start becoming tough. Somewhere in that ancient mystic trinity lies the source of backline nightmares and coaching headaches. Think Franklin-Roughead-Gunston in Hawthorn’s golden era, or Lynch-Brown-Bradshaw in Brisbane’s.

So three goals from regular defender Noah Balta against the Hawks should be enough to have Tigers fans gleefully awaiting their Round 1 showdown with Carlton.

Already blessed with pace, strength and height, Balta became a lynchpin of the Tigers’ back six in 2020, his third year on the list. When the two-time reigning champions were ravaged by injury towards the end of 2021, it was Balta’s loss that arguably did the most damage (yes, maybe even more so than Dustin Martin’s).

With Jack Riewoldt and Tom Lynch not going anywhere, either, the Tiges have a genuine ‘three-headed monster’ on their books, in the words of former great turned commentator Nick Riewoldt.

“If that can work, they can cause some big headaches for opposition defenders,” Riewoldt said on Fox Footy.

Ward is the word for Hawks

Get ready to be hearing plenty about Josh Ward in 2022.

Snared by the Hawks with their prized pick seven in last year’s draft, the ball magnet and born leader took to senior footy like a duck to water against an experienced Richmond engine room featuring the likes of Martin and Trent Cotchin.

Finding the footy seemingly at will, the 18-year old would finish with a team-high 29 disposals, 17 of them kicks. Just as impressively, he’d also have 19 contested possessions, an outrageous number for a first-year player. Next-best on the ground was the Tigers’ Liam Baker with 13.

Such was his dazzling performance that Sam Mitchell must sorely be tempted to thrust Ward straight into his starting midfield rotation for Round 1, as part of an already heavy group featuring Jaeger O’Meara (who didn’t play in Tasmania), James Worpel and Liam Shiels.

But with the Hawks seemingly set to embark on a development year, at the very least, Ward showed he’ll be getting a debut at the earliest possible opportunity. Dare we say, Rising Star smoky?

Port Adelaide 17.9 (111) defeated Adelaide 11.8 (74) by 37 points at Richmond Oval, Adelaide

Despite prelim humiliation, things still look Rozee for Port

It might have only been against Adelaide, and it might only have been the pre-season, but there looks set to be a changing of the guard at Alberton this season.

Young guns Zak Butters and Connor Rozee, both of whom endured stop-start 2021s in their third seasons at the top level, are both destined to take control of the Power’s midfield in years to come. But that time might have already arrived.

Shepherded by experienced duo Ollie Wines and Travis Boak, Rozee and Butters spent plenty of time around the ball, though their centre bounce attendances remained relatively small (7 and 15 respectively).

But their pace, spread from the contest and goal nous overwhelmed the Crows’ slower band of mids such as Rory Sloane and Matt Crouch. Given the Power were dismantled on the spread by the Bulldogs in last season’s preliminary final, the young pair’s injection into the contest will be crucial in 2022.

Butters racked up an impressive 32 touches, while Rozee was content to finish with 23 and two goals.

All aboard the Rachele hype train

The Crows were never going to pick anyone other than Josh Rachele with their first pick (6 overall) at last year’s draft.

A ferocious tackler, crafty around goals and with X-factor to spare, he seemed exactly what the Crows needed having lost Eddie Betts and Charlie Cameron in recent years. That’s a tough act to follow, but the young gun’s first two games show he’s more than capable of filling the void.

After three goals in a thumping scratch match loss to Brisbane, Rachele found himself three more against the Power, dazzling with his goal sense.

What would have delighted coach Matthew Nicks even more, though, was his game-high nine tackles. That’s forward pressure money simply can’t buy.

A lock to debut in Round 1, Crows fans can look forward to years of Josh Rachele lighting up their telly.

St Kilda 12.10 (82) defeated Essendon 9.17 (71) by 11 points at Marvel Stadium

Deja vu for Saints as injury nightmare cuts deep

I wrote a few days ago that the very last thing the Saints could afford in the AAMI Community Series was injuries to key players.

Too many key players missing was crucial in their horror start to 2021 that ended up cruelling their finals hopes; and from the looks of things, 2022 is off to a similarly rocky beginning.

Of primary concern is wingman Jack Billings, who sat out most of the second half with a hamstring injury.

‘Dejected’ on the bench according to former Saint turned Fox Footy caller Leigh Montagna, the hard-running Billings would be difficult to replace for Round 1 against Collingwood. Having managed just five disposals for the match up to his injury, you have to wonder whether he carried something into the clash – he certainly never looked fully right.

If that wasn’t enough, important half-back Hunter Clark’s excellent night ended in disaster after a fierce collision with Bomber Darcy Parish.

Helped from the field and not seen again, coach Brett Ratten has since confirmed Clark will miss six weeks with an AC joint injury. With fellow 2017 draftee and half-back Nick Coffield already done for the year with a knee injury, the Saints’ stocks now look desperately thin.

Zak Jones (personal reasons), Paddy Ryder (Achilles) and Dan Hannebery (perpetually injured) all but ruled out of the opening round as well, Montagna despaired for his old side after the match.

“It’s starting to be an all too familiar tale for St Kilda,” he said.

“Of course they’re already going to miss Zak Jones for the first part of the season. Dan Hannebery won’t be seen for a little while, Nick Coffield is out for the year, Jarryn Geary’s still not right and Paddy Ryder as well.”

Fellow caller and former great Nathan Buckley added: “If you’re sitting in Brett Ratten’s shoes you’re a little bit disappointed… you get the win but you want Billings and Clark in the early stages of the season.”

A legend honoured

He might have chosen cricket, but AFL and the Saints always held a special place in Shane Warne’s heart.

Having played Under-19s footy at the Saints, Warne went on to become the greatest leg-spinner the world has ever seen, but always found time for his beloved red, white and black.

A minute’s silence before the match was a fitting tribute to an Australian legend.

RIP, King.