LOKO
12-06-2004, 06:16 PM
Did the Saints peak too early?
After 10 rounds of football, St.Kilda looked unstoppable with ten wins, zero losses, and a very very enviable percentage (over 150%). Experts were suggesting they were as good as any team in memory, and questioned as to who would topple the rampaging Saints. But now, at the exact half way mark of the season, the powerhouse is showing signs of weakness. A loss on the road to Sydney was understandable, but a loss to a side much much lower than them on the ladder will be devastating for them.
But what has really happened? Have they indeed peaked too early, or is this just a minor stain on what will still be a stellar year for the young Saints? If you cast your mind back to 2000, when Essendon were the undisputed leaders of the competition after winning the pre-season cup, and going on to win the first 20 games of the season, it was (funnily enough) the Western Bulldogs who brought down the giant. But Essendon still went on to demolish anyone who stood in their way, and took the premiership flag just 5 weeks later.
St. Kilda are to play the Hawks next week (which is exactly what Hawthorn don't need at this particular point in time), and have the opportunity to steady the ship and get back in winning form. On the other hand, if the Saints are to lose that game, they can pretty much kiss goodbye all the respect they earned in the early stages of the year. But for now, it's going to be an interesting week of opinions in the newspapers.
After 10 rounds of football, St.Kilda looked unstoppable with ten wins, zero losses, and a very very enviable percentage (over 150%). Experts were suggesting they were as good as any team in memory, and questioned as to who would topple the rampaging Saints. But now, at the exact half way mark of the season, the powerhouse is showing signs of weakness. A loss on the road to Sydney was understandable, but a loss to a side much much lower than them on the ladder will be devastating for them.
But what has really happened? Have they indeed peaked too early, or is this just a minor stain on what will still be a stellar year for the young Saints? If you cast your mind back to 2000, when Essendon were the undisputed leaders of the competition after winning the pre-season cup, and going on to win the first 20 games of the season, it was (funnily enough) the Western Bulldogs who brought down the giant. But Essendon still went on to demolish anyone who stood in their way, and took the premiership flag just 5 weeks later.
St. Kilda are to play the Hawks next week (which is exactly what Hawthorn don't need at this particular point in time), and have the opportunity to steady the ship and get back in winning form. On the other hand, if the Saints are to lose that game, they can pretty much kiss goodbye all the respect they earned in the early stages of the year. But for now, it's going to be an interesting week of opinions in the newspapers.