Joe Shaughnessy hasn’t practiced his long-throw so far during his career.
But after seeing the havoc it caused in the Hearts penalty box at the weekend, he might just start.
Saints’ answer to Rory Delap thinks all the Gaelic football he played as a youngster could be the reason he gets such impressive distance on his throw-ins.
With one of the Perth side’s goals coming directly from it, and another indirectly, there’s no arguing about the effectiveness of the re-start.
Manager Tommy Wright even suggested Shaughnessy’s throws were more dangerous on Sunday than their corners.
The former Aberdeen man said: “The long throw is useful, especially when you have someone like John Sutton up front.
“I don’t think Hearts really knew how to deal with it.
“It was working and putting them under pressure so we kept using it.
“I have always been able to do it.
“I played Gaelic football when I was younger, just at the school and at a club in Galway, so maybe it’s something to do with that.
“I played it until I was 17 so that has helped me throw the ball as far as I can.
“Gaelic football is not professional so it was never a career choice, but I enjoyed it.
“I don’t really practice the throws but I think I will probably do it from now on.
“It’s like a set piece and it worked against Hearts.
“I was throwing them into an area for someone to get a flick-on.
“With John Sutton there he’s always going to get flick-ons and it was great to see him and Graham Cummins get off the mark.
“It’s good for them to get going early and hopefully they’ll score regularly this season.”
Shaughnessy the goal creator was happy with what happened at Tynecastle on day one, but Shaughnessy the defender was understandably less satisfied with the 4-3 scoreline.
“I don’t think anyone would have predicted seven goals before the game on Sunday,” he said.
“It was just a crazy spell from both teams but from our point of view we’re disappointed to have scored three away from home and got nothing.
“From a defender’s point of view it wasn’t good enough, their goals were avoidable.
“We have to learn from it and make sure the same mistakes don’t happen again.
“This team has been known for being very good at the back and you expect low-scoring games when St Johnstone are involved.
“The Hearts game was probably good for the neutral and the people watching on the television, but I’d rather have a 1-0 than another game like that.”
Shaughnessy was a bit-part player at Pittodrie, so he’s relishing a regular start with Saints.
“I came here to play games so I’m happy to be getting picked,” he pointed out.
“That was the reason for coming here, I needed to get back playing on a Saturday again.
“I feel fit and I feel good, so I’m looking forward to the season ahead.