Forward thinking over Crows clash
ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson has recalled Josh Bruce as the Saints look to take the pressure off developing forward Paddy McCartin.
The twin talls will spearhead the Saints tonight at the Adelaide Oval against the formidable Crows, stung by three losses in five games.
Bruce booted four goals for Sandringham last Sunday, in less than three quarters of game time, to earn the recall designed to remedy a sputtering Saints’ attack.
The Saints have scored 85, 68 and 50 points in the past three games, unable to capitalise on their forward entries.
“We think that Bruce going out to find a bit of form, (and) now coming back in, we think he has the potential to make us a better team,” Richardson said.
The Saints expect Nick Riewoldt (knee) to play next week’s Kangaroos game, with Richardson not ruling out the prospect of sticking with the taller forward mix.
Clubs like Richmond and Essendon have deployed smalls in attack, tasked with locking the ball inside 50 to create repeat scoring shots.
Prized No.1 pick McCartin needs greater exposure at AFL level to develop, alongside experienced goalkicker Bruce and medium-forward Tim Membrey with Riewoldt roaming further afield.
McCartin has kicked one goal in each of the past two games since a VFL return.
“The more games Paddy plays he’s going to improve and grow,” Richardson said.
“We’ve got to be a little bit patient in an industry where there’s not a lot of patience around. We think we got the right people there.”
Richardson rued errors and ball use in recent weeks.
“Most of our footy has been heading the right way but the ability to be able to convert our work has been a bit of a struggle for us and that’s not just forwards,” Richardson said.
“That’s a bit of the way we bring the ball in so that’s been a real focus and our defence needs a bit of work, that’s been a bit disappointing.”
Richardson did not declare if he’d consider tagging Crows star Rory Sloane.
“There’s been a lot of noise about the fact opposition clubs have gone after him but they’ve got a good midfield and a lot of depth,” Richardson said.