It took just a few minutes into the Saints' opening game of the year for Justin Koschitzke to clean up Sydney's Nick Malceski, at the time over the ball, unbalanced and oblivious to Koschitzke who was heading straight for his head. Malceski was knocked out, Kosi was rubbed out for three games. A stupid act from a clumsy player.
The Saints did go onto to win the contest by eight points on the back of a typical gritty performance assisted greatly by Riewoldt's four goals. In the 85% game time Kosi was granted in that opener he gathered just 9 touches and kicked 2 majors. A near identical performance to his below-par Grand Final last September.
When Kosi's suspension was confirmed days later I couldn't help but think of what a great opportunity this would be for the Saints, particularly seeing as they were up against North and at the Docklands where they rarely lose. A chance to experiment with different attacking formations but most importantly an opportunity to send Brendan Goddard forward where I maintain he's a far more dangerous proposition for Saints' opponents than when he's loose at half back.
It's not as though I dislike Koschitzke or don't see him as a viable part of the Saints lineup. Its just that I think the big forward is ill-suited to the modern game. He's cumbersome, very slow, offers little defensively, gives away a lot of free kicks and gets suspended too often. To be fair to Kosi, he is capable of taking the occasional pack mark and though he's kicked 173 goals, is at at average of just 1.2 a game which for a guy who spends the bulk of his life at full forward, is simply not good enough. His problems are exacerbated when he's not taking marks or kicking goals seeing as he offers little elsewhere. Last year when the Saints won 22 of 25 games Kosi was ranked 26th on the Saints roster for disposals and 29 of 30 for tackles, registering just 30 for the year in a team that tackles in its sleep.
As expected the Saints mauled the Kangaroos last Saturday, by more than a 100 points, controlling every aspect of the game but most importantly having five players who scored multiples, a feat StKilda achieved just once last year. Importantly, Goddard kicked 4, (in addition to his 29 disposals) and was given the freedom to operate as a forward for the bulk of the game. Granted, the Saints were only pitted against North and Saturday was only the third time Goddard has kicked more than three in match however if the Saints are determined to atone for last September's misery I truly feel Lyon needs to keep Goddard closer to goal. It adds a much more dangerous dimension to the Saints going forward while he's much more productive than Koschitzke.
Goddard's a tremendous player who I view as being very much in the mould of Adam Goodes. Incredibly balanced, a fierce competitor, focused, disciplined and blessed with a beautiful kick. My concern is that all of these skills go to waste with Goddard collecting an abundance of cheap ball across half back. Why can't Lyon deploy him in a similar fashion to the way Goodes is utilised by the Swans which is effectively as a half forward flanker armed with a licence to go into the midfield or as deep forward as he likes. After seven seasons and in a team with no player who can fulfill this role, now's the time for Goddard to make it his. After 139 games, the 60 goals he's kicked isn't enough while having kicked multiples just nine times poses little threat to opposition teams such as the Cats who'll be only too happy to see him continue life in the backline.
This Friday night against the Pies will be a solid test of just how Ross Lyon views his forward set up. In a big game against a really good team and with Kosi once again missing I wonder if he'll grant Goddard the same offensive freedom he had against the Roos? And if it works again will he keep him there?
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