Andrew McQualter

[Kildonan]

McQualter has just turned 20. Last year he played 7 games for us and he showed a lot of promise.

This year he has played 5 games so far. He has been unlucky in that his last 4 matches have all been losses.

I was a little disappointed in his Port game, mainly because he lacked the strength to battle Stuart Dew in defence (although he should never have ended up there in a one on one battle for a contested mark)

Since then he has impressed me. In the Adelaide match, he was one of the few Sainters to stand up. He made 10 tackles (Saints highest) and was second top for 1%'s to Max Hudghton

Date   Description             Result    Disp Kck KLg Mrk CMk Hbl Tkl Gls Bhd F/F F/A H/O 1st Cle I50 R50 CPs UPs  1% Err Bnc 
16 Jun Adelaide, Round 12      60-123 L   15   8   1   5   0   7  10   1   0   1   1   0   2   1   1   0   3  13   7   2   0 
12 May Geelong, Round 7        64- 82 L   12   6   1   6   0   6   7   0   0   0   1   0   1   1   1   1   0  12   5   1   0 
30 Apr Fremantle, Round 5      93- 94 L   11   6   0   1   0   5   2   0   0   1   0   0   6   2   1   1   1  11   2   0   1
24 Apr Port Adelaide, Round 4 118-122 L   16  10   2   9   0   6   2   1   0   0   0   0   2   0   6   1   1  17   3   4   0 
13 Apr Brisbane, Round 3      124- 87 W   12   9   2   6   0   3   2   0   1   0   0   0   0   2   1   0   0  12   1   1   0

His career averages are fairly consistent despite the small numbers of matches involved. His tackling and 1%'s are amongst the best of our team.

 Year  Team   Gm  Disp Kck KLg Mrk CMk Hbl Tkl Gls Bhd F/F F/A H/O 1st Cle I50 R50 CPs UCPs  1% Err Bnc 
 2005 St Kilda  7 13.0 7.3 2.1 2.7   0 5.7 4.7 0.3   0 0.7 0.1   0 1.9 1.4 1.9 1.0 0.6 10.9 4.0 1.3 0.3 
 2006 St Kilda  5 13.2 7.8 1.2 5.4   0 5.4 4.6 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.4   0 2.2 1.2 2.0 0.6 1.0 13.0 3.6 1.6 0.2 
        Career 12 13.1 7.5 1.8 3.8   0 5.6 4.7 0.3 0.1 0.6 0.2   0 2.0 1.3 1.9 0.8 0.8 11.8 3.8 1.4 0.2

Given the assumption that he plays in most of our matches for the remainder of the season, I expect to see him gain in confidence and snatch a first 22 midfield spot for 2007 onwards. Another preseason might see a bit more muscle on him and with the extra matches under his belt, he could be another gun. With Hayes returning, but the probable loss of Harvey and Thompson, he will be an essential part of our midfield.

Now if only McGough can cement a spot we will be set for a good number of years.