Club
St George
Key players
Paul Sain acts as a virtual recruit returning from a knee injury sustained early in 2014 but his versatility is pivotal to the Dragons structure. He can play deep forward with his contested marking ability and also rotating in the ruck. Michael Milner marshals the defence and Nick Ryan is again important in that crucial centre-half forward position. Don’t forget Alex Wynn either who shared the Best and Fairest with Karl Merson last year. And then their is the return of Blake Guthrie and Nathan Kenny. Throw on top new recruit Matthew Petering and things are looking up at the Dragons.
Star on the Rise
Nicolas Shaw had a halcyon year, almost claiming the AFL Sydney Rising Star Award having only played two Premier Division games before 2014. He might be diminutive but makes up for it in run and his appetite for the contest. A good user by hand and foot, he found plenty of the ball last year and it will be a win if he develops further this year. Also keep an eye on Kealy Medallist, Jacob Stek who should see more Premier Division games this year.
Strengths
They are extremely well drilled under fourth year coach Terry Mudge and have had a purple patch in terms of junior talent as indicated by Shaw. They have had a pretty solid list and most key positions covered. Matthew Petering will add class while Blake Guthrie returns as a workhorse in the midfield.
Weaknesses
They were just a level behind Manly-Warringah and not far behind Pennant Hills last year to be clearly the third best side in the competition. Youth maybe held them back from winning the clutch games but that can’t be an excuse this year with the most of their playing group boasting enough experience now. They are an even side across the board and I would love them to take the game on more this year- in the past they may have been a touch too mechanic in their ball movement.
Season defining month
In Rounds 4-7 they get to test themselves against big guns, East Coast (away) and Manly-Warringah (home). Throw in games they should win but tricky prospects all the same against UNSW/ES at home and North Shore away, they could get close to locking in a finals berth before the June break.
Notable Transfers
St George have been active players in the meat market, with Guthrie rejoining the club after a stint in the VFL and will captain the club this year. He is a star, Development Squad and AFL Sydney Team of the Year member in the past. The question mark remains over his fitness given his battles with a hamstring injury over the pre-season. Petering (Beaumaris FC- VAFA) is another main recruit into the midfield who has suffered from leather poisoning in the practice matches. Like Guthrie, Nathan Kenny returns to the club having experience with Southport in the NEAFL. Other ins include highly-rated Black Diamond duo, Jayden Rymer and Conor Haswell, Taylor Preece (UNSW/ES) who has played three games of Premier Division, and Onur Selvi who is a star of the future.
The main departure is definitely Karl Merson who re-joins East Coast after one year at the club where he shared the Best and Fairest with Wynn. Dominic Killworth (Werribee – VFL) is a significant loss as are Thomas Green (Northern Districts- AFL South Coast) and Jesse Mudge (South Fremantle) who will be missed.
Danny Says
3rd
St George lurk as the dark horse again this season. I say that with more confidence and look ready to pounce given the additions of Petering and Guthrie into the midfield. If Sain can stay on the paddock, I like their chances and they could well make the Grand Final. Can they take that next step?
Last Modified on 07/04/2015 15:30
