St George
Final position
Third- 12 wins, 5 losses, 1 draw
Snapshot
They came through a tough opening month with two wins, a loss and a draw in some hard-fought encounters. They enjoyed getting back to Olds Park after a month on the round, with the return sparking a run of seven successive victories highlighted by an eight-point win over Manly-Warringah which would turn out to be the GIANTS only loss in 2014. It was an up-and-down finish to the regular season with three wins from their last six. They would bow out in the Preliminary Final after another loss to Pennant Hills- the side to which they also lost their Qualifying Final to replicate their 2013 finish.
What worked
They proved hard to stop when they got on a roll as highlighted by their seven successive wins. Tipped by some to struggle with the loss of Blake Guthrie in the midfield, the Dragons continued to blood youngsters in the centre with Karl Merson’s acquisition a positive one. Their Under 19 Division One side took out the premiership highlighting the strong pipeline of talent in the south. Alex Wynn and Blake Addison were among their best this year with both representing AFL Sydney in the Senior Interleague fixture.
What failed
For a side that beat Manly-Warringah, you have to wonder why they couldn’t do more damage this campaign. They lost to Pennant Hills on four occasions, including the Preliminary Final where they had their score doubled. This has to suggest they lacked the ability to change their game style to suit the opposition, often appearing one-paced.
MVP: Alexander Wynn
You could argue this was a break-out year for the 20 year old. Yes, he kicked 29 goals in Premier Division last year, compared to 18 this year but he spent more time up the ground this season adding a hardened edge to his game. He has good vision, turn of pace and foot skills- he was a prominent figure in St George’s best and won his first Senior Interleague jumper in the match against AFL Canberra.
Surprise packet: Nicolas Shaw
Not yet 18, Shaw showed he is one of St George’s brightest prospects with 19 Premier Division games to add to the two he played in 2013. He spent a lot of time in the middle and on the wing with his pace and especially his toughness belying his small stature. Never appeared too overawed against more experienced opposition, Shaw is one to watch going forward.
Low point
You could name any of the losses against Pennant Hills here. They would be rueing the fact they couldn’t seal their Qualifying Final clash where they seemed to have control midway through the final quarter. They had a shocker in the Preliminary Final against the same opposition, managing only three goals in the 29 point loss.
What do they need to improve?
They would be screaming for a key forward and even a third forward option to take the pressure off Nick Ryan, especially now with the retirement of Jason Saddington. The Dragons went from averaging 94 points/game in 2013 to 82 in 2014. They have plenty of the small forward/running midfielder type but another out-and-out experienced star in the centre contests would take them to the next level when their backs are against the wall. Down back they appear fairly well resourced.
Grade: B-
It was a carbon copy to 2013 for the Dragons- finish third, lost Preliminary Final to Pennant Hills. Their premiership window is still open but they can’t just rest on the laurels thinking that their kids will take them to the top of the tree. They needn’t look much further than the two sides above them on the ladder for a prototype in terms of a mix of youth and experience. A pass.
Last Modified on 15/10/2014 07:59
