We haven't been on song but I think the Hawks game announced some serious efforts to overcome weaknesses that have been identified this year.
1. Forward pressure - Clinton Jones' tackle inspires and identifies a renewed effort to put pressure on. Jones ran from the forward side of the HFF square to the 50 defence line to lay a tackle. Phenomenal! Reiwoldt was still chasing like a man possessed in the last quarter as the hawks tried to run from defence. Armo laid a defender flat to earn a shot at goal!
2. Fiora too soft - I saw him backing into packs, attempting tackles. Yes there are weaknesses but as Dim Lane pointed out, when he has room to move, his long raking left footers are accurate and hurt the opposition n end.
3. Dal not hard enough at it - The third quarter showed the class, efficiency, precision and gut-running of Dal. That goal was a beauty! He had control of the quarter and yet spent time on the bench during it!
4. King not taking contested marks - What a beauty in the final quarter. Not only set himself well and marked strongly, he nearly had his head knocked off in the process.
5. Reiwoldt has the yips - 6.0 ( I reckon I saw quite a fist on Nick's stray one so fair enough it was rushed) was quite an answer. Dim Lane called early that one of his early goals was a captain's goal. Nick set the tone for the forward line accuracy as well as all over intensity. At one stage we were 13.3! Fantastic compared to the many soft misses we have scored this year at crucial times.
6. Milne is a one trick pony - Great use of Milney in the third saw him smashing the ball forward from the midfield. Milney got the handle on the ball and did great work. Great experience to help Armo out on the angle and great sharing of the ball in the final quarter to set up others.
The trick is to get everything clicking at once. Confidence builds performance which strengthens confidence and on we go. I think we have seen a number of our perceived weaknesses turned around during the year but at different times. Last we I think we saw plenty of elements all click at the same time. Footy is not just a game of strengths, it is covering the opposition strengths and our own weaknesses!
I thought we played well all game but things weren't quite falling into place. That second half our intensity lifted and bang! Everything clicked into gear at once.
The question is can we maintain the effort and intensity that is needed to turn our weaknesses into strengths and build the belief, power and passion to recreate the sencond half consistently?
I don't have the answer to that. Only 22 boys out on the padock can answer that, not Grant as commentator or even Ross as coach. All I can say is that the Saints are loaded and in the gun. They have shown they can fire but it takes 100% commitment from all, at all times.
I for one am looking forward to how this and all remaining games unfold.
Go the Sainters! 
