Saint Rhys Stanley before injuring his knee against Sydney. Source: Getty Images
ST KILDA fielded a team with an average age of little more than 24 last night. It's a long time since Saints fans would have been able to reel off a stat like that.
The sum of the games played amongst its 24 players was only 1528 - an average of 63.7 games per player.
Without Nick Riewoldt, Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo and co the score in the NAB Cup clash with Sydney was always going to be secondary.
But a 0.13.12 (84) to 1.8.10 (67) win was a welcome result against last year's premiers - admittedly missing 11 of the 22 that played in the Grand Final win.
Josh Kennedy handballs his way out of trouble. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source:
The only negative was a knee injury to Rhys Stanley in the third term.
After a promising first half as a key defender in which he kept Swans forward Sam Reid to just four disposals and no goals, the 22-year-old hobbled off the ground after hyper-extending his knee following an attempt to smother an opposition handball.
There were several divots across the Etihad Stadium surface last night and the ground appeared to give after Stanley planted his foot.
Leigh Montagna gets off a handball in front of Jude Bolton. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
How much that contributed to the injury remains to be seen, but coach Scott Watters was confident scans today would reveal no major damage - good news for a player who appears to have a key defensive post seemingly there for the taking.
"We probably all held our breath initially,'' Watters said.
"He hyper-extended his knee which is potentially a good thing. It doesn't look that serious, but having said that it's very hard to have some finality on the assessment until we get a scan."
Mike Pike and Ben McEvoy do battle. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
Watters said he hadn't addressed the surface issue with his player, but said he didn't have many problems with the ground.
"It was probably normal wear and tear for three games,'' he said.
"First look at it today I didn't think it was too bad.''
Watters said "I don't think I could add anything more'' to the interchange rotation debate, other than to "endorse other coaches thoughts."
Lewis Jetta marks at Etihad Stadium. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
Swans coach John Longmire said he was unaware that his side may have breached the maximum of 20 substitutions in the final quarter.
"We had our line coaches looking after the interchange, it's just something that you've got to be mindful of,'' Longmire said of the rule trial.
"I wasn't aware of any numbers over there, it just is what it is."
Swan Jude Bolton tackles Jack Newnes at Etihad Stadium today. Source: Getty Images
Arryn Siposs (12 touches) looked good across half back, although his booming right foot attracted most attention at the attacking end of the ground when he calmly slotted a set shot from outside the arc.
Ruckman Tom Hickey is a find.
Mike Pyke isn't elite opposition, but his capabilities were there to see nonetheless.
Jesse White in action. Source: Getty Images
Youngster Nathan Wright picked up 17 disposals and looked the pick of the youngsters, while, for a big man, Jackson Ferguson commanded a lot of the footy in the first half before he switched on to Reid after Stanley's substitution.
Sam Dunell also chipped in with a couple of first half goals.
"It was a good win, but it was a NAB Cup win,'' Watters said.
Saint Ahmed Saad kicks a goal against Sydney. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
"It's interesting when you look at our group. Terry Milera has played 10 or 11 games, (Ahmed) Saad has played half a season ... Siposs hasn't played over 20 games, Stanley barely hasn't played over 20 games, so it's not just about debutants it's about the amount of time that those players have played.
"Nathan Wright was one of our very young players who showed terrific maturity, is strong over the ball, has been training extremely well and he looked quite comfortable out there today.''
Longmire had more to be pleased about than after last week's losses to Greater Western Sydney and Carlton.
Jude Bolton, Josh Kennedy and Lewis Jetta were all fantastic in their return, while Dan Hannebery was also influential.But a number of lesser lights _ Dane Rampe, Jake Lloyd, Harry Cunningham and Brandon Jack to name a few - were also impressive.
"We played in patches that were a bit longer and sustained,'' Longmire said.
"We started to play some of the footy that we want to play.''
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Stanley injury spoils day
Dengan url
http://ganangandollar.blogspot.com/2013/03/stanley-injury-spoils-day.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Stanley injury spoils day
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar