Played forward and through the midfield but looked as though the pace of an AFL preliminary final might have been a bit hectic for him. Spent just over half the game on the ground and laid seven tackles in that time.
Jason Blake – 4
Was shuffled around on a variety of opponents throughout the night but couldn’t get into the contest. Was opposed to Luke Hodge early and was clearly trying to negate the Hawks’ sweeper, but it wasn’t his, or the Saints’ evening.
Raphael Clarke – 7
The much-maligned Saint continued his fine finals form with a great defensive job, principally on two hard-nut Hawks. Some have questioned whether young Raph is made of the right stuff but he clearly out-pointed Campbell Brown and Michael Osborne – his main challengers.
Nick Dal Santo – 4
The Saints needed Dal to have a big one but, like many of his midfield mates, he felt the wrath of the fresh Hawks. Nowhere near his destructive best on a pretty disappointing night.
Aaron Fiora – 4
Brought into the side to replace Luke Ball, and did snap a nice goal midway through the second quarter which might have swung the momentum. But despite playing the large majority of the game, Fiora simply couldn’t get into it as the harder Hawks got in first.
Sam Fisher – 8
Despite spending most of his evening on Roughead, was one of the few Saints to run forward and create. The dashing backman won plenty of the footy and even kicked two goals in a great finish to his 2008.
Sam Gilbert – 3
Not a good night for Gilbert. He simply found Mark Williams far too good early and was found out in several one-on-one contests. Was shifted onto others throughout the night but, his confidence likely shot, couldn’t provide any drive.
Brendon Goddard – 8
Like all midfielders found himself on a range of opponents – including the lethal Williams. But BJ was gallant and hard at the contest for St Kilda. Stood tall, especially after half time when the Saints needed someone to lead the engine room, and won plenty of it.
Jason Gram – 4
Played back and through the middle but was nowhere near his destructive best. When Gram is up and running, generally so are the Saints. Was made to be accountable and was under pressure whenever he had it.
James Gwilt – 2
Spent most of the night on the pine but when he was on the field, he might have wished he was back there – such was the latitude Hawthorn’s defenders gave him. Certainly didn’t give the stats men RSI.
Robert Harvey – 6
Unfortunately fairytales don’t always play out. While his 19 possessions were typically classy, what should be remembered from Harvs’ final AFL match is the fact that not a soul left the MCG before full time – instead choosing to stay and watch the champ be carried from the field.
Lenny Hayes – 6
Copped the boos of the Hawks’ crowd every time he went near it after bumping the down-on-his-haunches Hodge midway through the second term. But Lenny soldiered on and worked hard to gather 27 touches.
Max Hudghton – 9
Beat Buddy Franklin hands-down, limiting the game’s most dangerous forward to just one goal. A superb display from one of AFL’s most unfashionable characters. But it wasn’t enough.
Clinton Jones – 4
Another who will learn from the experience of his first preliminary final. Had a crack at running with a few big-name Hawks throughout the night and found the pill a few times, but was collared pretty quickly when he did get his hands to it.
Steven King – 3
How Kingy would have loved another crack at the Cats. But it wasn’t to be for the big fella, and he had one he’d prefer to forget. No ruckman dominated proceedings, although King did have the most hit-outs.
Justin Koschitzke – 3
Kosi was okay early but he looked to hurt his knee after colliding with Hodge just before quarter-time. He hobbled off and, although he returned to play the rest of the match, wasn’t able to have any great influence.
Andrew McQualter – 1
Looked out of his depth during his time on the paddock. Briefly tried to go with Mitchell but spent most of his kickless evening watching from the bench.
Stephen Milne – 3
The Saints goalsneak did boot 1.2 but and gather 15 possessions but it was his early wayward shots on goal that really hurt. Had he nailed those two very kickable attempts it might have been a very different night for him and his side.
Leigh Montagna – 4
Possibly didn’t show enough respect to Clinton Young early on and the Hawk made him pay. ‘Joey’ continued to work hard but he, like the Saints midfield, was swimming against the tide. Not his usual running, bouncing self.
Nick Riewoldt – 4
Despite a nice cameo in the third quarter it wasn’t Nick’s night. The skipper worked his butt off – as usual – and finished with three goals, all of which came in his third-term burst. But he looked to be hobbling at times and his body needs a rest.
Adam Schneider – 3
Kicked the first goal of the match after receiving a dubious 50m penalty but from then on the one-time Swan struggled to have any impact. Worked wide on the wings for the most part and couldn’t really inflict any damage from out there.
Robert Eddy – 3
Another young Saint to work through the forward and midfield, Eddy just couldn’t come to grips with the furious pace of his first preliminary final. He tried hard but he never looked threatening when in possession.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
