We've been aware of the Suns' potential for some time and have seen improvement in all aspects of their game this year so far. But their early performance on Sunday was something else and had journalists reaching for the record books throughout the first half. The eight goals, four behinds they scored in the first quarter was their best ever return from an opening stanza, surpassing the 7.4 that stunned North Melbourne two weeks ago. Then, the 13.7 they had on the board at half time was not only the Suns' best in their history but also the biggest first half score of any team this season, after Carlton's 13.6 against the Western Bulldogs in round five. They dropped off in the second half but what they showed early – with their forwards dominating and their ball movers Gary Ablett, Dion Prestia, Jaeger O'Meara, David Swallow and Jarrod Harbrow running strongly and taking the game on – would be a frightening prospect for other coaches.
2. Saints stung into action.
St Kilda fans know where the club is at as far as rebuilding is concerned but they wouldn't have been too accepting of the Saints' first half. After the break, they emerged a different outfit. They evened up in clearances and contested ball, and won all but two clearances out of the centre. It was also a return to form of sorts for Jack Steven after coach Alan Richardson wondered out loud last week if he needed a break or a "mini pre-season" to get back to the level required. Steven showed more zip than he has since his round four return and ended as the Saints' highest possession winner. Whatever the reason behind the Saints' second half revival that prevented a certain shellacking, the club's supporters would have left much more satisfied after they showed some fight.
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3. Backline curse strikes again
The Saints aren't strangers to having to patch together their backline after a cruel run with injuries in the past few years. But, with the recruitment of Josh Bruce and Luke Delaney, they probably weren't banking on having to reshuffle and reshuffle again this season. Injuries to Sam Fisher, Sam Gilbert, Nathan Wright and Jarryn Geary have hurt their defensive structure, and while James Gwilt hadn't been setting the world on fire recently, the loss of him to a hamstring this week wasn't ideal. In the end, the Suns' potent forward line was often too much for Bruce (Tom Lynch), Delaney (Charlie Dixon), Jimmy Webster (Brandon Matera), Sam Day (Sean Dempster) and Tom Curren (Harley Bennell) … while Ablett proved a handful when he drifted into attack.
4. Gary the goal-kicker
Speaking of Ablett, he was slow off the mark when it came to possessions this week, with Clint Jones and occasionally Maverick Weller trailing his every move. But his unbelievable ability to "rest" in the forward line exploited Jones at every turn with the two-time Brownlow medallist running off the experienced Saint to contribute to the scoreboard. Ablett kicked four goals – all in the first half – for the second game running after doing the same against the Kangaroos. His midfield work however indicated a permanent move into attack would be premature – he finished with 37 disposals, 22 of which were contested, and won eight clearances. A handy effort from the competition's best midfielder, wherever he was.
3. Backline curse strikes again
The Saints aren't strangers to having to patch together their backline after a cruel run with injuries in the past few years. But, with the recruitment of Josh Bruce and Luke Delaney, they probably weren't banking on having to reshuffle and reshuffle again this season. Injuries to Sam Fisher, Sam Gilbert, Nathan Wright and Jarryn Geary have hurt their defensive structure, and while James Gwilt hadn't been setting the world on fire recently, the loss of him to a hamstring this week wasn't ideal. In the end, the Suns' potent forward line was often too much for Bruce (Tom Lynch), Delaney (Charlie Dixon), Jimmy Webster (Brandon Matera), Sam Day (Sean Dempster) and Tom Curren (Harley Bennell) … while Ablett proved a handful when he drifted into attack.
4. Gary the goal-kicker
Speaking of Ablett, he was slow off the mark when it came to possessions this week, with Clint Jones and occasionally Maverick Weller trailing his every move. But his unbelievable ability to "rest" in the forward line exploited Jones at every turn with the two-time Brownlow medallist running off the experienced Saint to contribute to the scoreboard. Ablett kicked four goals – all in the first half – for the second game running after doing the same against the Kangaroos. His midfield work however indicated a permanent move into attack would be premature – he finished with 37 disposals, 22 of which were contested, and won eight clearances. A handy effort from the competition's best midfielder, wherever he was.
5. Zac's back
After 12 months out of the game, it was terrific to see giant Suns' ruckman Zac Smith make a return to the game. Smith last played in round eight, 2013, where he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against the Western Bulldogs. After progressing throughout the pre-season, Smith was put on the long-term injury list to allow him to gain some intensive conditioning. It was 12 months to the day on Sunday since his injury and the big man wasted no time and started in the middle against Billy Longer. While he rested on the bench at times, he ended with the commendable stats of 29 hit-outs, 10 disposals and got better around the ground as the game wore on.
Twitter: @AFL_JenPhelan
Gary Ablett is flanked by emerging talent at the Suns. Picture: AFL Images
