Watching it live

[st.byron]

Was at the game yesterday. First time for a couple of years.
Some observations :

First of all - these guys are super athletes. Respect to anyone who gets onto an AFL field. To execute the skills they do, at full pace, again and again with physical buffeting - wow.

The Saints worked their arses off to get back into the game in the third. Was one the best full team pressure and defensive efforts I've seen for a long time. Can't think of a passenger in a Saints jumper.

Wood was really good. Hard at it, some crucial contested ball wins and link ups and that goal off a step from 55. Lienert played his part too. DMac continues to improve. He's starting to have an influence and his tackling and chasing pressure was excellent. He's got a good left foot We will become a contender if guys like those three can continue to step up. Having GOP's like that contribute consistently is necessary to spread the load and not be elite reliant.

Sinclair is elite. Got to the right place so many times, his disposal was excellent, as was his run.

Gresh could develop into a quality mid. If he does, with Steele and Crouch and one more elite mid our midfield would be good. Hats off to Seb yesterday. Gut ran and was great. Leader, especially in the third.

Paddy made a huge difference. Crikey can he jump. We won the clearances.

Battle looks good down back. He and Howard worked well together. I like him. He's tough. Paton too.

Max is still 21 and hasn't really filled out. When he does look out Wow we have a diamond there.

Hill doesn't belong in defence. Let him link defence and attack. Much better suited to that.

NWM will be a very good player. His kick out of the backline to Marshall in the centre with about 5 minutes to go in the last was a 40 metre laser. Attacking vision and top draw execution.

Great win, great atmosphere, was awesome. We look so good when the ball comes fast into our F50. Go Sainters.

[Impatient Sainter]

Great write up St Byron, you perfectly encapsulated the exhilaration we all felt!

Go Saints.

[samuraisaint]

It was a great game with a real good atmosphere.
I was even happy seeing Matty Parker kick 3 goals 1. I hope he goes on to have a ripping career (but never plays in a win against us).
We looked exciting like we did in the first half of 2020.

[WellardSaint]

Agree on Sincs.
2020, he came of age, had a few minor blips
Last year, in those games that we got belted, I cannot recall how he went TBH.
Saw him in Perth and he showed his class.
Last night again did an amazing job

[StPeter]

I thought watching this game live and then seeing the replay on TV, showed me how much we don't see on TV. Also we are very much influenced by the commentary, which is so often poor.

For me there were two major issues I noted.

Firstly, the huge influence that Sinclair had on the game was much more apparent at the ground.

Secondly, the biggest turning point of the game was moving Hill off the backline mid way through the 3rd quarter, where his poor defensive skills and disposal turnovers were proving so costly on the scoreboard.

We were 25 points behind at that time. We then added another 64 points before Richmond scored again a few seconds before the final siren.

No comment was made about the move at any time through the commentary.

[saynta]

I thought watching this game live and then seeing the replay on TV, showed me how much we don't see on TV. Also we are very much influenced by the commentary, which is so often poor.

For me there were two major issues I noted.

Firstly, the huge influence that Sinclair had on the game was much more apparent at the ground.

Secondly, the biggest turning point of the game was moving Hill off the backline mid way through the 3rd quarter, where his poor defensive skills and disposal turnovers were proving so costly on the scoreboard.

We were 25 points behind at that time. We then added another 64 points before Richmond scored again a few seconds before the final siren.

No comment was made about the move at any time through the commentary.

Taylor and Ling would not know if train was up them until it blew its whistle.

[IluvHarvey]

My main thought watching it live was “Is that Jamie Shanahan running around in the number 31 again?”