2022 - 2021 improvement

[older saint]

Yes we didn't make finals which was the aim of the season so therefore a pass mark cannot be given IMO.
That said i did some analysis of 2021 to 2022 and there is clearly identified improvement in performance.

2021 we went 10-12
2022 we went 11-11

2021 we played 11 games against teams which finished top 8, going 3-8
2022 we played 12 games against teams which finished top 8, going 3-9.
Tougher draw with extra game against a top 8 side saw 1 more loss which ultimately foiled the finals run.

we did take care of business better against lower teams:
2021 11 games 7-4
2022 10 games 8-2 ( losses Essendon and Port - both self inflicted)

Average margin 2021:
Win 29.4
Loss 37.2

Average Margin 2022;
Win 26.7
Loss 27.8

Results under 3 goals
2022 5-4
2021 3-6

Difference between our best and worst reduced and were able to win close games better than before.

Adding games in to: King (22), Windhager (18), NWM (17), Brynes (11)Owens (7) was also invaluable

As i said at the start of the post cannot be a pass mark as didn't make finals, especially from 8-3 and even though second half draw was harder if you are good enough you win games to get there.
Progress is not always linear though

[Otiman]

Everything about us right now (since 2020) is middling. Not bad but not great.

Need to accept that midding is not acceptable and keep pushing forward.

We keep getting caught up in the lie that we are better than we are. The mid season break where we were fighting for top 4 got to a few peoples heads.

[Beno88]

Statistically, very little changed.

We were one game and one goal better than 2021.

We went from an average of 75-82 a game, to 77-78.

We had nine more scoring shots in 2022, 16 less against – and our accuracy improved by just 1.2%.

We won 42 quarters in 2021, 43 in 2022.

Margins of over 40 points, went 3-4 in 2021, 2-3 in 2022.

Four wins interstate in 2021. Four wins interstate in 2022.


The main improvement from my perspective in 2022, was our ability to control a quarter – often resulting in turning a match.

In 2021, we would win a quarter by 20+ on only six occasions, this year, we did it 12 times. Ten of those 12 times, we would win the game.


The biggest concern? First quarters.

We went 9-13 at 83% in first quarters in 2022. We were held to 15 points or less in 11 matches.

We only led by more than 8 pts at ¼ time on three occasions, the highest being 18 pts vs NM.

Our highest scoring first quarter was 38 points vs Richmond. They scored 40.

[IluvHarvey]

Here's hoping for a easier draw next year.

[Saints58]

Here's hoping for a easier draw next year.

The club is really going to push the AFL for a better draw in 23 as they are really livid about our draw in previous years and how it potentially cost us a place in finals compared to other teams.