MATTHEW RICHARDSON’S TOP 10: St Kilda should not go after Jacob Weitering and James Jordan is the best tagger

1. I love an AFL star that keeps producing to a ripe old age.

Think Brent Harvey, Dustin Fletcher, Craig Bradley and now maybe the finest wine of the lot in Scott Pendlebury. What a performance at the ’G on Saturday. Surely he goes around again in 2025.

2. I’m starting to think every team needs to have a player capable of putting the clamps on a star midfielder (ie old-school tagger).

While we want to see the stars at their best, you can’t have them running wild. Sydney has one in James Jordon, who was able to negate a red-hot player coming into the game in Carlton’s Sam Walsh. The Swans are ticking all the boxes at the moment.

3. Just read a headline - “Is Harley Reid the best first-year player ever?”.

Harley is going beautifully. He’s a star. John Coleman kicked 100 goals in his first 21 games. Let’s settle down and let Harley play.

4. You have to love when a player reinvents themselves.

He was quiet against the Roos but Kyle Langford is that guy. Since becoming a permanent forward at the start of 2023, he has kicked 76 goals in 33 games. I really love his forward craft. It’s been a great move by Bombers coach Brad Scott.

5. Quick one.

Please can we have Thursday night footy every week next year? Crazy if we don’t.

6 Jacob Weitering is the best key defender in the comp, but do the Saints need to sell the farm to bring him in?

Stopping teams scoring isn’t their issue. I’d be looking for some pace out of stoppage instead.

7. How exciting was Gold Coast’s massive win over the Cats in Darwin?

Another successful two weeks in the Top End and that is now six wins in a row for their home away from the Gold Coast. They have made TIO Stadium their fortress. Jack Lukosius kicked his third bag of five goals in the NT and Bailey Humphrey announced himself with five goals as well. Maybe Dimma’s secret sauce is starting to kick in.

8. I can’t wait for Dreamtime at the ‘G’ on Saturday night.

Just hope the Tigers can be competitive. What a fantastic showcase it has become to help us highlight the joy indigenous players have brought to our game. The brainchild of the great Kevin Sheedy who has done so much for indigenous players. Thanks to Sheeds and indigenous greats like Michael Long who help make it happen each year.

9. My album of the week for this week is Regurgitator’s newbie Invader.

Their best since 1997’s platinum seller Unit. Have a listen.

10. At home, my youngest daughter turned two during the week.

Presents galore for little Ella. I have three girls under six. That’s three lots of new toys a year. Plus Christmas makes it six lots of new toys. The house is overflowing with toys. I hate clutter. It’s doing my head in. Do I silently start culling or do I send an all-staffer email telling relatives to stop buying them toys? Help, please.