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Saints Home by a Point in a Thriller

01 August 2009

ST KILDA has continued its unbeaten run with a nail-biting one-point win over a gallant Sydney Swans at the SCG on Saturday night with Leigh Montagna scoring a behind in the last few seconds to win it for the Saints.

The Saints won 13.16 (94) to 13.15 (93) extending their winning streak to 18 games this season.

Earlier Swans spearhead Jesse White booted a goal with four minutes left to give his side the lead.

But a set shot to Brendon Goddard evened up the score shortly after and Montagna broke Swans hearts with virtually the last play of a thrilling night to kick the decisive point with less than 20 seconds on the clock.

The Swans rushed the ball down the wing but ran out of time to find the reply.

An upset looked on the cards at half time with the Swans leading by seven points while putting in a performance reminiscent of their glory days of hard, contested footy.

But a 4.5 to 0.3 third quarter gave the Saints some breathing space which proved vital in the frantic finish.

For the Swans, their 11th loss of the season has virtually extinguished any lingering hopes of playing in September. But their performance in the first two quarters in particular would've warmed the hearts of their fans.

The opening term set the scene as the Swans clamped down on the Saints' much-vaunted midfield division of Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna and Nick Dal Santo.

Brett Kirk, Luke Ablett and Kieren Jack put in an impressive job of pressuring the Saints' prime movers in midfield.

Nick Riewoldt was also kept quiet by Craig Bolton but the forward's first possession for the game resulted in a goal. The Saints skipper found space to snap a brilliant left-footer.

Across the ground, fierce one-on-one pressure told on St Kilda but at key moments the Saints' class showed and they kept their noses ahead with McEvoy and Gwilt kicking truly.

Adam Goodes got a goal on the quarter-time siren to keep the Swans within reach of St Kilda's six-point lead at the first break.

The home side took that confidence into the second quarter with three early goals to Ed Barlow, Jack and Goodes.

The Swans won the quarter five goals to three and for the home side Goodes' spectacular right foot banana kick and Jack's bomb from distance were pure class.

Justin Koschitzke and Gram kicked accurately to keep St Kilda's slender lead intact but in the shadows of the half-time siren it was Ablett who wobbled home a set shot after a free kick conceded by Jason Blake.

An upset was suddenly on the cards as the Swans went into the main break seven points in front after two exceptional quarters of hard, pressure footy.

It was set up for a classic third term but it was the Saints who dominated with former Swan Adam Schneider the star with two opportunistic goals.

Steven King popped his shoulder after a ruck duel with Jolly and the big man went off for treatment but returned to finish out the game.

Inaccuracy also hurt the Swans with young Dan Hannebery blowing a set shot chance to kick his first goal in AFL.

Goals to Riewoldt and McQualter blew the margin out to 19 points heading into the final quarter.

McVeigh, White and O'Loughlin booted home to boost the Swans' hopes early in the final term but O'Loughlin missed a set shot that would've given the home side the lead late in the quarter.

The Swans refused to lie down but as they did all night, the Saints were able to score when needed.

In the end, it was a point that gave them the four points in a thrilling affair.

The Saints will now head to Aurora stadium in Tasmania to play the Hawks next Saturday while the Swans face the Tigers at the MCG on Sunday.

Sydney Swans 3.4 8.9 8.12 13.15 (93)

St Kilda 4.4 7.8 11.13 13.16 (94)

GOALS:

Sydney Swans: White 3, Goodes 2, Ablett 2, O'Loughlin, Barlow, Jack, Bird, Mattner, McVeigh

St Kilda: Riewoldt 2, Schneider 2, McQualter 2, Koschitzke, Milne, Gram, Gwilt, McEvoy, King, Dal Santo

BEST

Sydney Swans: Goodes, Jack, Jolly, McVeigh, O'Keefe, Ablett

St Kilda: Dal Santo, Goddard, Montagna, Schneider, Ray, Clarke

Injuries

Sydney Swans: Bird (shoulder)

St Kilda: King (shoulder)

Reports: Milne (St K) reported for striking Crouch in first term.

Umpires: Donlon, Findlay, Wenn

Official crowd: 27,805 at the SCG

Source: www.saints.com.au

Max Hudghton battles with Swan Michael O'Loughlin at the SCG

More Information

Official AFL Website of the
St Kilda Football Club

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