FTP
Debutant
- Mar 24, 2021
- 113
- 986
- AFL Club
- Melbourne
Hey Saints Fans,
I am the founder of an AFL newsletter called Footy Talking Points, where we provide weekly analysis regarding interesting trends, player performance, statistics and more.
One of our discussion points this week has been the improvement of Jack Sinclair through his move to the backline. I am posting it below but the link to the full article is here - Essendon have issues, Ben Keays can't be stopped and Jack Sinclair's ascension
If you like this content - please subscribe!
Jack Sinclair was ranked the 4th best player in the AFL coming into this round. Yes, you read that correctly. Sinclair’s been St Kilda’s best player in 2022 and is a key reason why they are sitting 4th on the ladder. On the season to date, Sinclair is averaging:
27 disposals, 5 marks, 5 score involvements and 500 metres gained per game
Sinclair has made a shift into an inside midfield role this year, a smart move given Sinclair’s traits add a different dimension to a midfield that was incredibly one paced last year.
Sinclair’s been a bit of a journeyman over the years. He was a rookie draft selection by St Kilda in 2014 and progressed his way into the senior side through a small forward role before being thrown into the backline last season as a line breaking defender.
Now, that speed is prevalent throughout the middle of the ground, where Sinclair is utilised as a zippy yet tough on baller.
'Zippy' is a perfect description for Sinclair - he has a quick couple of steps to get out of traffic, he’s elusive and can change angles to release teammates into damaging positions. He’s mostly a one touch player and he’s tidy by foot, regularly hitting targets even when he looks out of control.
Sometimes he has these kinds of moments where you think to yourself, only a handful of elite players can actually do that. This goal in Round 1 was one of them.
I love how hard Sinclair works back into his D50, evidenced by his R50 numbers for a midfielder (4 per game) (worth noting he started the year in the backline). It’s incredibly important for St Kilda, given other midfielders have been called out for their front running antics over the years (Crouch and Ross in particular).
St Kilda are now 4-1 and an absence of top tier opposition aside, have made significant strides defensively. They are causing more midfield turnovers and are generating easier shots on goal off their back of their defence. Their transition from the back half to forward half off turnover has been particularly noteworthy - playing with much more speed on the ball this year compared to last.
Their key midfielders in Steele and Crouch have seen their defensive pressure numbers improve dramatically. Further, it can’t be understated how important Gresham and Sinclair’s impact has been to this midfield group with their ability to break the lines and be creative with ball in hand. Both possess X-factor and can change the angles with their low centre of gravity and steps inside, which completely opens up the play for St Kilda.
Sinclair’s easily the most improved player in the AFL to date and if things continue, it wouldn’t be ridiculous to suggest he has an All Australian case.
I am the founder of an AFL newsletter called Footy Talking Points, where we provide weekly analysis regarding interesting trends, player performance, statistics and more.
One of our discussion points this week has been the improvement of Jack Sinclair through his move to the backline. I am posting it below but the link to the full article is here - Essendon have issues, Ben Keays can't be stopped and Jack Sinclair's ascension
If you like this content - please subscribe!
Jack Sinclair was ranked the 4th best player in the AFL coming into this round. Yes, you read that correctly. Sinclair’s been St Kilda’s best player in 2022 and is a key reason why they are sitting 4th on the ladder. On the season to date, Sinclair is averaging:
27 disposals, 5 marks, 5 score involvements and 500 metres gained per game
Sinclair has made a shift into an inside midfield role this year, a smart move given Sinclair’s traits add a different dimension to a midfield that was incredibly one paced last year.
Sinclair’s been a bit of a journeyman over the years. He was a rookie draft selection by St Kilda in 2014 and progressed his way into the senior side through a small forward role before being thrown into the backline last season as a line breaking defender.
Now, that speed is prevalent throughout the middle of the ground, where Sinclair is utilised as a zippy yet tough on baller.
'Zippy' is a perfect description for Sinclair - he has a quick couple of steps to get out of traffic, he’s elusive and can change angles to release teammates into damaging positions. He’s mostly a one touch player and he’s tidy by foot, regularly hitting targets even when he looks out of control.
Sometimes he has these kinds of moments where you think to yourself, only a handful of elite players can actually do that. This goal in Round 1 was one of them.
I love how hard Sinclair works back into his D50, evidenced by his R50 numbers for a midfielder (4 per game) (worth noting he started the year in the backline). It’s incredibly important for St Kilda, given other midfielders have been called out for their front running antics over the years (Crouch and Ross in particular).
St Kilda are now 4-1 and an absence of top tier opposition aside, have made significant strides defensively. They are causing more midfield turnovers and are generating easier shots on goal off their back of their defence. Their transition from the back half to forward half off turnover has been particularly noteworthy - playing with much more speed on the ball this year compared to last.
Their key midfielders in Steele and Crouch have seen their defensive pressure numbers improve dramatically. Further, it can’t be understated how important Gresham and Sinclair’s impact has been to this midfield group with their ability to break the lines and be creative with ball in hand. Both possess X-factor and can change the angles with their low centre of gravity and steps inside, which completely opens up the play for St Kilda.
Sinclair’s easily the most improved player in the AFL to date and if things continue, it wouldn’t be ridiculous to suggest he has an All Australian case.
