Lots of tackling - really cranked up the pressure in the midfield and their backline. Any time the ball came to ground, it would be swarmed on. They also tried to get as many numbers around the ball at every contest that they possibly could.
Their situation was helped by their backline, especially Thompson, playing out of their skins, and their efficiency going forward, as they had no where near the amount of inside 50's the Saints did.
Petrie also carried them over the line single handedly in the 4th.
- I'm a visionary - Only here to confirm my biases -
North beat them in the tackle count 86-76, thats the key to beat these guys. Worrying signs for the saints, you can't just turn it on at the drop of a hat. I'd still rather play the cats though.
It will be interesting to see how St.Kilda plays on the MCG in the finals.
We have to be near 70-90 tackles in a game, if we are to beat the Saints.
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.
Lots of pressure and more contested ball. And Drew Petrie stepping up when needed.
Saints are beatable now, especially when Riewoldt has the chance to at the end of both games to win/draw and doesn't provide the desired response.
I'm less worried about them now. Using the last two weeks as an isolated snapshot, we have momentum behind us while Geelong and St Kilda have come off the boil. I guess it's all about peaking at the right time of the year.
Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.