SAVING GRACE FOR SAINTS
POWER forward Sam Dobson says the addition of league-leading goalkicker Aiden Grace has turned St Mary’s attack into a three-dimensional set-up.
Dobson and Tom Gillies shared the goalkicking duties in 2017 with 92 goals in 29 games between them, with Zak Sherman (42 goals) and midfielder Jarryd Garner (34) significant contributors, but the recruitment of Tasmanian star Grace has made the Saints near unstoppable.
Dobson, Grace and Gillies have only played together four times this year — for four wins — and got better in each of those games as their chemistry grew.
The last time they all lined up in the same forward line, Grace and Dobson kicked eight each, while Gillies slotted four in a 143-point thumping of Geelong West.
“Tom brings the experience and ‘Gracey’ is very exciting when he gets on top,” Dobson said.
“We rotate a little bit depending on what happens during the game, but ‘Gracey’ and Tommy tend to play a little bit closer to goal.
“I suppose all three of us make a good combination.”
Dobson said being in and out of Geelong’s VFL side this season hadn’t given him the continuity he would have liked, but 24 goals in his last four GFL matches suggests he’s in just as good a form as last year.
“I think I probably had a better season last year, maybe, but I think if we win, that opinion will change — I’d say this year’s better,” he quipped.
“But I’ve been back and forth from the VFL a bit, which can be frustrating at times but it is what it is. I’ve enjoyed my time up here, anyway.
“My form is where I want it to be at the right time of the season, kicking a couple of goals, so hopefully I can continue that on Saturday,” he said. “But there are more avenues to goal than just through me, with Tommy Gillies and Aiden Grace down there and a couple of other blokes that can swing through the forward line.”
Dobson already has two premierships to his name with home club Koroit in the Hampden league, but the 25-year-old said righting the wrongs of back-toback grand final losses would be just as sweet.
“They’re exciting times (winning premierships); that footy club’s in a small community ... it was good to give back to the community. In terms of sporting highlights, it’s right up the top,” he said of the Koroit flags.
“It’d be good just to do it for the other people around the club that do a lot behind the scenes like Scotty Hosking, Kev McMahon, Sean Blood, those sorts of guys.
“I’ll just see if I can repay the favour for them, they’ve done a lot for me so I’d like to bring one home for them.”