Weekend Performers By Tom Morris For saints.au Jack Steven It was a case of another week, another influential performance from St Kilda’s brightest young midfield star. For the third time in the last month Steven amassed more than 32 disposals, forging an exciting partnership in the Saints engine room with fellow ball-winner Leigh Montagna. Complementing his 35-possession performance at 80 per cent efficiency, the 23-year-old registered six clearances and pumped the ball inside 50 on a team-high seven occasions. Steven also hit the scoreboard, booting two goals and two behinds. He looms as a potential match-winner for a number of years to come, with his ability to break the lines and hunt the footy his primary strengths. Leigh Montagna Montagna began on the half-forward-flank, going head-to-head with dangerous Sydney veteran Jarrad McVeigh. As the game progressed, Montagna pushed up into the midfield and had a significant influence on the match, registering 32 disposals, four inside 50s and four rebound 50s. He has collected 30 or more possessions in four out of his last five matches, and is averaging 28.5 touches per game for the year. David Armitage Armitage set the tone in the first half on Sunday, laying six tackles and collecting 17 disposals. His hardness at the contest and willingness to find his own football reflected St Kilda’s pressure and perseverance and although Sydney ultimately ran away with the match, the left-footer’s efforts in the first and second quarter set a great example for his younger teammates. Armitage finished with 30 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances, four rebound 50s and two score assists. Jarryn Geary Geary was probably the best player on the ground in the second term against the Swans. He collected 11 disposals on Jed Lamb, and was a constant road-block in Sydney’s numerous forward thrusts. The 25-year-old finished with 23 disposals at 87 per cent efficiency, as well as a team-high 10 marks and five rebound 50s. Tom Curren For the second successive week, Curren collected 20 disposals and spent time on one of the opposition’s most accomplished midfielders. Last Friday it was Sam Mitchell, whereas on Sunday the elevated rookie took care of Daniel Hannebery, limiting the 2011 AFL Rising Star winner to just 16 disposals. Curren is forming a niche for himself in the Saints engine room, equally adept at winning his own ball as he is negating an opposition ball-winner. Farren Ray 20 disposals, three rebound 50s and six marks may sound like a standard game for the elusive wingman. But quantity aside, it was the quality of Ray’s possessions on Sunday that was most impressive. Ray went at a game-high 95 per cent disposal efficiency against Sydney, constantly finding targets via hand and foot regardless of the congestion. Tom Hickey When Ben McEvoy was subbed, Hickey was left to shoulder to vast majority of ruck duties for the last 45 minutes of the game. Facing Shane Mumford and Mike Pyke, the 201 centimetre big-man competed admirably and even booted his sixth career goal and first in the red, white and black. Hickey finished with 11 disposals at 91 per cent efficiency and a team-high 20 hit-outs. Jack Newnes Newnes demonstrated great composure off half-back on Sunday afternoon, accumulating 18 disposals, four inside 50s and four rebound 50s on Jude Bolton. The 300-game Swans veteran finished with two goals and just 10 disposals, with Newnes’ regularly beating him to the ball in one-on-one contests.
Posted on: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 04:30:09 +0000
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