Saints Strong but Work to Do

07 Mar 2009

A STRONG pre-season hit-out from St Kilda has been overshadowed by the return to football of Richmond's Graham Polak.

The Saints comfortably won the NAB Challenge match, 16.13 (109) to 9.3 (57) but it was Polak -- playing for the first time since overcoming serious head injuries after being struck by a tram -- that stole the limelight.

Polak played the second half in his team's 52-point loss and was welcomed by his St Kilda opponents, including Max Hudghton and Leigh Montagna.

St Kilda was able to establish an early advantage by kicking the final three goals of the first term to head to quarter time with a lead of 19 points.

The Saints - with the majority of their star players in the line up - extended their lead to 25 points by half time.

Richmond remained in the contest when it booted three of the first five goals of the third quarter.

However, the Saints steadied with two of the remaining three goals to extend their advantage to 33 points at the last change before winning the final quarter with ease.

But coach Ross Lyon was not entirely satisfied, saying his team needed to improve sharply to compete with teams such as Hawthorn and Geelong.

"I'll go and see teams on the weekend and think 'gee, how are we going to be beat them?" Lyon said.

St Kilda murdered Richmond on the inside-50m count, somehting Lyon believes should have led to an even greater margin.

"There's some concerns on efficiency," he said.

For the Saints it was the usual suspects of Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo, Montagna and Sam Fisher who proved the stars.

Brendon Goddrad continued his exciting early season form with four goals, and Luke Ball gave Saints fans plenty to smile about with another string performance.

The injury-hit midfielder looks as fit as he has done for several seasons.

Michael Gardiner was another who stood out. His ruck combination with Steven King is developing well and promises much ahead of the premiership season.

Richmond had few winners on the night, but Jay Schulz, Richard Tambling and Jordan McMahon can hold their heads high after good performances.

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt is on track to return from a knee injury next week.

St Kilda 4.1 8.3 12.6 16.13 (109)

Richmond 1.0 4.2 7.3 9.3 (57)

GOALS

St Kilda: Goddard 4, Koschitzke 3, Gilbert, Armitage, Milne 2, X Clarke, S Fisher, Gwilt.

Richmond: Schulz 4, Connors 2, Collins, McMahon, Tambling.

BEST

St Kilda: Hayes, Goddard, Gilbert, S Fisher, Dal Santo, Ball, Montagna, X Clarke.

Richmond: Tuck, Schulz, McMahon, Tambling, Silvester.

Injuries

St Kilda: Nil.

Richmond: Nil.

Reports: Nil.

Official crowd: 7000 at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton.

Source: www.saints.com.au

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Melissa Arbuthnot
melissa.arbuthnot@communecom.com.au

CommunEcom Strategic Communications
P.O. Box 689
Balgowlah NSW 2093

Ph: +61 2 9949 9788
Fax: +61 2 9949 9688

Saints Strong but Work to Do

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