One down, 22 to go.
The first eight games of the 2021 AFL season didn't just provide us with our initial set of winners and losers, it raised another series of questions.
With each of the league's 18ย clubsย set to do battle again this weekend, we attempted to answer the major issues facing their playingย listsย andย coachesย alike.
St. Kilda
Have they matured?
As the siren sounded across the Showgrounds on Sunday, the 23 players in St. Kilda jumpers smiled and celebrated contentedly. Their come from behind, eight-point win in Sydney's west may not have had fans of free-flowing footy applauding, but it did represent and extremely important turning point for Brett Ratten's improving list.
In 2020, Ratten's first full season in charge of the club, St. Kilda played in five games decided by a goal or less, finishing with a record of one win and four losses. Throughout these defeats, the Moorabbin men either led at a late stage of the contest or coughed up a sizable lead.
These losses were also the difference between where their claim was staked in last season's eight. Had Ratten's men held on against North or the Dockers โ games they led by more than five goals โ a double chance in the finals would have beckoned and not just an entry pass.
Opening leads is a sign of strength for football teams, but keeping the cue out of the rack until the eight ball is sink is the trademark of a mature side.
Although it is just one game from 22, Sunday showed that the Saints had the ability to shrug off their demons and finish what they have started. For a fanbase that has risen early for many a false dawn, this small, yet important, milestone was proof that their playing list is maturing mentally and may allow for some fingernails to remain intact within the Bayside region.
