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Saints Hang on in a Classic

05 Jul 2009

THE AFL’s biggest deadlock has been broken, with St Kilda beating Geelong by six points in a contest worthy of its billing as the match of the season.

So often at top level sport, the pre-game hype doesn’t match the actual outcome. This was not one of those times.

The Saints looked to be more at home with the pressure in the early stages, and held on in an intense finish to win 14.7 (91) to 13.7 (85).

There were plenty of skill errors but that is not to say it was a dull contest. The pressure from both sides was intense and the atmosphere truly finals-like.

The crowd of 54,444 was a record for a match at Docklands and a record for any home and away match between the two sides.

St Kilda booted the first five goals in the match, four of which were the result of Geelong turnovers. The Cats did not convert until the 25-minute mark of the first term when Gary Ablett goaled after receiving a 50m penalty.

The clash of the two elite midfields proved an even duel. The Cats were looking for big things from Jimmy Bartel and Ablett, neither of whom spent any time on the bench in the first half. Bartel finished with 37 touches, Ablett 27 and Paul Chapman 40 but it was not enough to hold off the Saints.

Ablett was closely followed by the relentless Clint Jones but still slipped away to show his brilliance throughout the game.

Bartel’s contribution was less spectacular but just as valuable. His highlight was in the back 50 in the second quarter when he took a brave contested mark that eventually resulted in a Joel Corey goal.

Saint Sam Fisher played his best game of the season, providing run out of defence while rotating off a number of Geelong forwards. Sam Gilbert was just as impressive in a similar role.

Getting the ball out of defence and up forward was a difficult task for the Saints in the third term as they struggled with Geelong’s defensive zone.

The Cats came back with goals to Andrew Mackie, Cameron Mooney and Joel Selwood and for the first time all day, had the momentum.

Nick Riewoldt starred early and looked like proving the difference between the two sides, but was later contained somewhat by direct opponent Harry Taylor.

But like a true champion tall forward, Riewoldt stepped up when it counted. He took a mark at half-forward, played on and – eyeing an open goal square – comfortably made the distance from 60m, giving the Saints a 10-point buffer just a minute before the final break.

Geelong came back with three goals in the final term to be within a kick, eventually levelling the scores thanks to goals by Darren Milburn and Mathew Stokes. But Luke Ball bombed the ball in to the St Kilda forward line with more hope than anything else.

A big pack went up and the extraordinarily long tentacles of Michael Gardiner pulled it down, with Taylor left in his wake.

Taylor was stretchered off as the ruckman slotted it through from 20m out.

Gardiner’s 100th career goal was by far his most significant and memorable. Fittingly, a clearance from half-back landed in his outstretched hands on the wing as the siren sounded, signalling that only one team in the league remained undefeated.

St Kilda 5.3 8.4 10.5 14.7 (91)

Geelong 2.2 5.5 8.7 13.7 (85)

GOALS

St Kilda: Gardiner 4, Riewoldt 3, Koschitzke 2, S Fisher, Jones, Milne, McQualter, Schneider

Geelong: Ablett 2, Milburn 2, Mooney 2, Chapman, Corey, Mackie, Rooke, Selwood, Stokes, Varcoe

BEST

St Kilda: S Fisher, Gardiner, Gilbert, Hayes, Goddard, Montagna, Blake

Geelong: Ablett, Bartel, Chapman, Selwood, Mackie, Blake, Ling

INJURIES

St Kilda: Nil

Geelong: S Johnson (hip) out, replaced in selected side by Hogan; Taylor (concussion)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Vozzo, Rosebury, Chamberlain

Official crowd: 54,444 at Docklands

Source: www.saints.com.au

Michael Gardiner flies for a mark at Docklands

More Information

Official AFL Website of the
St Kilda Football Club

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