St Kilda almost pinched an unlikely victory over Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium on Easter Sunday before ultimately going down by nine points. The match sprung to life in the final term, mainly due to an incident involving Saints captain Nick Riewoldt who was taken from the field after an off-the-ball hit by Giants midfielder Tom Bugg. It was Riewoldt’s first appearance of the year, and it ended in less than fairytale circumstances after receiving an unexpected bump that left the champion centre half-forward with whiplash and a hospital visit.
 
After a disappointing 2014 campaign, the Saints, with new senior club leaders and major sponsors, have generated plenty of hope across the summer months. The last two drafts have landed highly touted juniors Jack Billings, Luke Dunstan, Blake Acres, Patrick McCartin and Hugh Goddard. Only Dunstan played against the Giants last weekend, but Billings will join him this weekend on the Gold Coast to do battle with the SUNS. The 2013 No. 3 draft pick is coming off an injury interrupted pre-season after straining his hamstring in the opening NAB Challenge game against Brisbane. The polished midfielder returned for Sandringham in a VFL practice match against Port Melbourne last weekend where he accumulated 32 disposals.
 
The Saints new-look forward line appeared potent at times against the Giants, with ageless warhorse Riewoldt still providing the focal point, but he was well supported by former GWS key defender Josh Bruce who took five marks and kicked 2.2. Shrewd recruiting at the end of last season saw the highly regarded Tim Membrey depart Sydney and head to Seaford. The recruiting coup is already paying dividends with the former Swan kicking two goals in his first appearance in red, white and black. Ahmed Saad was quiet in his first game back from an 18-month suspension for consuming a banned substance. But, fellow small forward Adam Schneider was lively when inside 50, kicking a pair of goals and gathering 22 possessions. Not bad for a rookie-listed player, particularly one who is on the wrong side of 30.

Key Players

Shane Savage was poached from Hawthorn for his run-and-carry ability that had the potential to cut opposition sides apart. 2014 didn’t go to pan for the dashing midfielder, but he started with a bang against the Giants. Savage registered the third highest metres gained across the competition in the opening round with 692 metres at an elite possession retain percentage of 71.4 per cent. The former Hawk could be one of the Saints most damaging weapons this season if he is given the freedom he was allowed against the Giants. He gained 710 metres via his 14 kicks alone, a competition high in terms of total distance and at a staggering average of 50.7 metres per kick. Rodney Eade will no doubt be putting time into quelling his influence this weekend.

With the ink still drying on his new five-year contract extension – which ties him to the club until the end of 2020 – Jack Steven immediately demonstrated his value against Greater Western Sydney. The 2013 best and fairest winner collected 27 possessions, six inside 50s and five clearances to be the Saints best player in round one in a performance that suggested he might take his game to another level on 2015. Following the relatively recent departures of Brendon Goddard and Nick Dal Santo, Steven’s signing is significant; especially given the genuine rebuild the club is going through at the moment. Keeping class is pivotal to the building of any foundations.
 
Nick Riewoldt’s standing in the game is undisputable. He is an out-and-out champion of the modern era. Given the current state of the Saints list, his importance at the moment can’t be underestimated with St Kilda currently having the 5th youngest list. After missing all of the NAB Challenge series as he dealt with the passing off his sister away from the club, it appeared unlikely that he would hit one out of the park in round one. Whilst he didn’t set the world on fire, Riewoldt still hauled in ten marks and gathered 17 possessions to provide St Kilda with direction when coming out of the back half of the ground. After being taken from the ground early in the final term and assessed in hospital for concussion and whiplash, Riewoldt has recovered well and is set to reacquaint himself with Steven May this Saturday night at Metricon Stadium.

New Faces

When Tim Membrey requested a trade out of the harbour city last year after two barren seasons, his list of suitors was long. The Gippsland Power product managed only one appearance during his time at the Swans, despite kicking over 100 goals in two seasons in the NEAFL. But, with Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett commanding the key posts and dual Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes showing minimal signs of ageing, no one could begrudge Membrey for pursuing opportunity elsewhere. The Saints went hard for their man and they got him, with his presence inside attacking 50 already a feature. Membrey was St Kilda’s leading forward target inside the arc against the Giants, attracting seven forward entries – the equal 6th most for round one.
 
Lightly-built small forward Jack Lonie was rewarded for his strong debut pre-season with a round one berth. He wasn’t overawed against the Giants, collecting nine disposals and two inside 50s in a promising debut that showcased his poise under pressure, as well as his polished left foot. Rookie Jack Sinclair also debuted in round one and despite only coming on in the third quarter, he looked clean and gathered eight touches in limited game time.

Key Match Up

Gary Ablett’s shoulder was brutally tested at every opportunity by Melbourne tagger Jack Viney in last weekend’s first assignment. The champion midfielder was worn like a glove for the duration of the day by Viney, and he can expect more of the same again this weekend from St Kilda’s negating on-baller Maverick Weller. Not that Ablett isn’t accustomed to the art of close checking, but after a long injury lay off, the close attention is amplified. Ablett’s return game attracted some criticism from some sections of the media, but for any other player returning from such a serious injury – 19 possessions and two clever goals would have been more than a pass mark after missing so much football. But, with Ablett, the expectation is always enormous.
 
Former Gold Coast midfielder Weller will be handed the task of getting to know his old skipper once again. The Tasmanian was delisted by the SUNS at the end of 2013, before St Kilda through him a lifeline via the rookie draft and he put together 16 games and a 9th place finish in the Trevor Barker medal. Now, he is a member of the Saints leadership group and ahead of his 50th game this weekend, he is coming off a brilliant first-up performance against the Giants. Weller kept GWS prized recruit Ryan Griffen to just 15 possessions and next to no impact to be one of St Kilda’s main contributors.

Injury Cloud

Nick Riewoldt’s neck injury was serious enough to end his game and force him to hospital for observation. He was cleared of concussion at the ground but the neck whiplash caused by unexpected contact ensured he underwent scans as a precautionary. The inspirational leader is expected to run out on Saturday night in his native city.

St Kilda's Round 2 Team

B: S. Savage, L. Delaney, S. Dempster
HB: J. Geary, S. Fisher, J. Newnes
C: C. Shenton, D. Armitage, J. Steven
HF: J. Lonie, N. Riewoldt, J. Sinclair
F: T. Membrey, J. Bruce, A. Saad
R: B. Longer, L. Dunstan, M. Weller
INT: A. Schneider, J. Billings, D. Roberton, T. Curren
Emergencies: E. Templeton, B. Acres, N. Wright

IN: J. Billings, T. Curren
OUT: E. Templeton (Omitted), L. Montagna (Knee)