Round 15 – St Kilda v Richmond: Losing MRV Match Saints should have won

 

St Kilda versus Richmond
Sunday, 30 June 2019
1:10 pm
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

 

I am very disappointed with the loss because the Saints could have won and instead wrong decisions at second quarter wasted opportunities and eventually cost the important match.

 

Quick goal scored by Bruce, following Acres’ goal and Marshall kicking longly scoring a goal at first quarter brought me hope of the mighty Saints winning the game for my hero Nick Riewoldt’s late sister Maddie.

 

But we couldn’t dominate the last half of first quarter and led by six points at the first break.

 

Then we slowed down the game at second quarter by kicking backwards. How come we didn’t attack to get more points to secure the win?

 

I have seen such actions a few times in the game. I never understand why it happened. Even kicked backwards and then moved forwards kicking back the same corridor.

 

Then after the game, I made the below comment on the St Kilda Football Club’s Facebook post:

 

“Why did we kick backwards at second quarter? Why not attacking when we had opportunities? Why didn’t we take bigger lead even it could be risky? Take a risk; otherwise we will lose. Another disappointing game for me. Players need to take responsibilities. Please answer next weekend on the field.”

 

Later on the day, Matt explained to me what players do to spread players in the forward line, but why didn’t play like the sexy footy what the Western Bulldogs did in 2016?

 

To be honest, I can only sense such actions killed our opportunities to score goals and let the opponent to score more goals than us.

 

At Starbucks in Kobe, I was so frustrated with watching such footy. I have been sick and tired of wasting opportunities.

 

Acting captain Seb Ross didn’t perform well on the field apart from a good tapping at the beginning of the match. His kicks were inaccurate and then he was the part of the wrong decision kicking backwards.

 

I want him to explain why we wasted opportunities at second quarter.

 

Some St Kilda fans complain about umpiring. Yeah I understand too, but we could have been better than umpires who don’t take our favours at all.

 

What we need right now are:
A. Using basic skills;
B. Accurate kicks and handpasses; and
C. Making right decisions.

 

I must admit the Saints didn’t fight like Maddie. She would cry in the heaven.

 

And I feel sorry for Nick because he is the great bloke. I had chats with him in Shanghai and found he was a friendly guy.

 

If we won, the title of my match report would be “Footy won over rains”.

 

On Saturday, West Coast won over Hawthorn at MCG with wet conditions. Then the Doggies won over the Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval with raining. It made me very happy because I HATE Port Adelaide very much.

 

But that means St Kilda slipped down the ladder into 14th, also thanks to the Swans.

 

And the Dingoes couldn’t overcome the rain and had to call off the training. Rain was easing in the morning, so I thought that our training would go ahead. But my train trips to Kobe were just for watching the losing game. Unfortunately it was my wrong decision.

 

However it was a reflection of my efforts to support the mighty Saints and to train hard for the beloved Dingoes.

 

As I had made a stopover in Osaka in the morning in-between Kyoto and Kobe so that I could buy a new pair of footy boots, I spent a lot of money on the public transport on Sunday.

 

I want my boys to answer next weekend in Hobart but, to be honest, am worried to lose to the Kangaroos.

 

Meanwhile I will train hard to play better footy at AFL Asia Championship held in Thailand in August.

 

ST KILDA 3.0 7.0 8.3 10.10 (70)
RICHMOND 2.0 6.2 9.4 16.7 (103)

GOALS
St Kilda: Bruce 3, Hind 2, Acres, Marshall, Long, Membrey, Parker,
Richmond: Stack 4, Chol 3, Lynch 3, Bolton, Rioli, Caddy, Ellis, Castagna, Graham

BEST
St Kilda: Marshall, Gresham, Billings, Clark, Battle, Acres
Richmond: Martin, Stack, Prestia, Chol, Vlastuin, Lambert

OUR VOTES
3. Stack (RIC); 2. Marshall (STK); 1. Clark (STK)

Umpires: Power, Stevic, McInerney

Official crowd: 40,962

 

Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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About Yoshihiro Imagawa

Love, passion and pride are seen on the footy that is the biggest part of my life. 1. St Kilda Club member: I am a passionate and crazy Sainter. Just hope we will win the second flag soon, especially after Dogs and Tigers having ended long premiership draughts. 2. The Osaka Dingoes Player and Public Relations Officer: Player number 44 that I chose to honour Stephen Milne with my wish being like a small forward like him. Lenny Hayes' hardworking attitudes are adopted on my trainings and practices. Nick Riewoldt's great plays are in my player audiobook too. 3. Writing: Here on the Almanac and also on the World Footy News. My skills utilise on great footy websites.

Comments

  1. Hope you wear the new boots well, Yoshi.
    Good luck with them, mate.

  2. G’day Smokie

    Thanks for your warm words. My new boots are helping me improving my footy.

    I’m extremely sorry for being naughty not getting back sooner after you had commented…

    All the best

    Yoshi

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