Giants v Saints – NAB Challenge (1st March)

GWS Giants v St Kilda Saints.
Wagga Wagga. Saturday 1st March, 2013.
Click here for AFL Match Centre.

So in the last official NAB challenge game of the round and only 12 days till the start of the season, we’ve seen two teams with practically their best 22 on field. This is not great news for the Saints who were on the negative side of a 68 point loss to the Giants, set up by a blistering 2nd quarter!
I’m sure there will be lots of talk about where both teams are after this game, but we’re here to check out how they’re looking fantasy wise!

As always TOG is the Time On Ground percentage.

 

WHO FIRED?

Dylan Shiel – ($390,400- MID) The Giants looked very impressive today but for me he was definitely best on ground. It wasn’t just his 3 super goals as a midfielder that makes me say that, but the pressure he put on the ball carrier today was vicious, finishing the game with 9 tackles! That’s promising for me because when GWS aren’t destroying a team we know he’ll still be racking up +4’s with tackles! Finished with 90 points from 73% TOG.

Adam Treloar – ($482,100 – MID) Completely off the leash today and running rampant. Game high 32 Disposals and 131 points from 78% TOG. Big fan of this kid. We know this kid can score when he wants but is this the year we’ll see some consistency? If this and last NAB game are anything to go by he could be worth a risky/smokey pick as a POD.

Rhys Palmer – ($394,700 – MID/FWD) Speaking of risky picks, here’s someone who’ll take some serious… guts… to pick. Threw his body at every contest today and got a fair amount of ball. If he keeps attacking the ball with that kind of intensity he’ll be stiff to get dropped. 128 points from 72% TOG.

Thomas Bugg – ($295,000 – DEF) Started the game like a house on fire getting a lot of ball early with GWS players looking to get the ball into his hands coming out of defence (the same role he played in the first half of last year). The thing to focus on here is that he scored his points when the game was there to be won as opposed to inflating his score during junk time. If he continues to play this role then he could be a lifesaver down back! 128 points in only 68% TOG!

Luke Dunstan – ($216,800 – MID) One of the few shining lights for the Saints today. Has an AFL ready body and really held his own in the midfield. 22 disposals with 16 of them contested! Richo mentioned him during the telecast saying that he’ll certainly be seeing a lot of game time this year! 81 points from 68% TOG

Jimmy Webster – ($235,500 – DEF) Here’s another cheap defender putting his hand up for us. Ran hard all day rebounding out of defence. It looks like he’s playing Dylan Roberton’s role from last year. Roberton injured his ankle last year, pretty badly in the last game but I haven’t been able to find an expected return date so I’d want to do more research on that before I’d take the gamble. Webster really stood out last week though and again today. 83 points from 88% TOG.

Shane Savage – ($364,900 – MID)  The former Hawk lead the Saints DT scorers today with 94 points from 73% TOG. Considering 40 of those points game from his game high 10 tackles, it’s a great sign that Savage won’t need to rely on the Saints winning to score well, which is great considering this season is looking quite bleak for the Saints…

 

WHO FALTERED?

Leigh Montagna – ($606,000 – MID) Montagna really didn’t impress today. In a day where the experienced Saints needed to stand up, he was very quiet. Really should have lead from the front instead of floating around in 2nd gear. 71 points from 80% TOG.

Tom Hickey – ($282,700 – RUCK) Currently sitting in a lot of coaches ruck lines but put in a less than desirable performance. Possibly needs more time to develop while sharing those duties with Longer though. I have no doubt that this will be a powerful combination in the future but right now it may be too risky hoping for high scores. Over powered by a dominant Mumford and Giles today. 46 points from 80% TOG

Jonathan Giles – ($363,600 – RUCK) It’s crazy to think that in his debut year a lot of us had him sitting happily in 2nd ruck for most of the season! Tonight while teaming up with Mumford, Giles found himself in the backline. He got in on a couple of kick to kicks while GWS were trying to switch the play but was very conscious of his opponent. Can’t see his scoring improving much if he keeps this role. 31 points from 79% TOG

 

NEWSWORTHY MENTIONS

Lenny Hayes $470,400 – MID (52 points 44% TOG) Was on track delivering his usual legendary magic until his hamstring pinged. Was subbed off and we will await result. Monitor carefully before drafting.

Stephen Coniglio $413,400 – MID (18 points 8% TOG) Looked very good to start but a crunching tackle knocked the wind out of him early, possible whiplash. Failed the concussion test and was unable to return to the field. Should be right for round 1.

Maverick Weller $306,700 – DEF (77 points 69% TOG) Still rookie listed for the Saints but the desperately need mature bodies and he provided that today. Watch him if he gets upgraded.

 

So that’s all I have to say on this game. Anything to add feel free to comment below. Anything you disagree with feel free to blast me on twitter! @Anthonydsmith86