Sav reflects on his year

[saintbrat]

http://www.aflplayers.com.au/article/ho ... otivation/


AFLPLAYERS

HOW A TOUGH CONVERSATION PROVIDED THE ULTIMATE MOTIVATIONBy Shane Savage Aug 9, >
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After the Brisbane game, Richo and I got together and had a chat and I accepted the fact that I needed to go back and find form.

I was recalled for Maddie’s Match against the Tigers, and in my mind I knew that I had to keep it simple leading into such a big game for the club.

All I was focused on was my speed and my aggression, and if I nailed those two aspects, the rest would take care of itself. I know that I can provide drive and energy off half-back, and that’s what I needed to do.

It’s been working since.

The feeling around the club at the moment is very positive.

We knew coming off the Port Adelaide loss that Sunday’s game against West Coast was going to be a crunch game — it was do-or-die.

Despite such a tough loss in Adelaide, we went in the Eagles game with a positive mindset and got the result we wanted. It gives us a chance and the goal is pretty simple from here, we just need to keep winning each week to give ourselves the opportunity to be in a position to push for finals.

Playing in consistent crunch games is exciting for such a young group.

I’d like to think that I play a bit of a mentoring role with our young half-backs. Brandon White, who has come into the side in the last few weeks, is someone I have been working closely with.

His ability to earn his spot back in the side after debuting late last year is a credit to the work he has put in. I’m a pretty introverted person, but being an experienced player now in our backline has allowed me to open up a bit with the younger boys coming through.

Regardless of what happens at the end of the year with the team, the future is exciting at the Saints.

[suss]

Massive credit to him for turning his season and career around. He's played some exciting footy in the past few weeks and I have particularly liked his overhead marking - I had no idea he was that good overhead.

[shrodes]

Yeah full credit to him, he has won me over. That running bounce against Port to take the game on was sublime.

I think he has earned a contract. Especially if Joey goes.

[thejiggingsaint]

Good all round player, more than useful to have in the squad. Gets another contract? No brainer (IMHO)

[Yorkeys]

Nice post, thanks.

[SaintPav]

Nice one.

I like the way Shane goes about it. He's an important player for us.

[magnifisaint]

[Con Gorozidis]

Big turn around.
I have found him to be one our most frustrating players in the last few years. I had his papers stamped.
Firstly he refused to use his pace. He is one of our quickest players but always went backwards or stopped and went sideways. He never ever used his pace to advantage.
The other criticism was his dumb long bomb kicking.
But full credit to him in the last month he has improved both of these things.