Saints survive stern Fremantle test

18 April 2010

ST KILDA remains one of two undefeated sides after beating Fremantle by 15 points at Etihad Stadium.

The Saints kicked 16.12 (108) to 14.9 (93).

Stephen Milne responded to a tumultuous week by booting five goals, as did Brendon Goddard.

In the first week without injured skipper Nick Riewoldt it was a re-jigged Saints forward line to start the game with Jason Gram and Sam Fisher lined up in attack at the first bounce. They were soon joined by Goddard.

Goddard, who has spent the past few years as an onballer/backman was the dominant forward for the Saints and managed to outbody key defenders Luke McPharlin and Chris Tarrant.

Greg Broughton and Paul Duffield worked hard out of the back half for Fremantle while the season’s surprise packet Michael Barlow broke even in his duel with relentless tagger Clint Jones. Nick Dal Santo did as he pleased throughout the game and seemed to escape the attention of Fremantle who were focused on shutting down acting captain Lenny Hayes.

The Saints seemed undersized around the ground without Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke. Their height deficiency was obvious, particularly when Aaron Sandilands was near the ball.

Matthew Pavlich was giving the Saints headaches and got the better of Zac Dawson, Sam Gilbert and James Gwilt.

There was never more than one point in it at any of the changes but St Kilda set the tone in the final quarter. An early goal to Goddard was quickly followed by another by Milne to give the home side the biggest lead of the day. The Saints kicked the next two but Fremantle would not go away easily.

David Armitage’s grunt work in the centre was a big reason behind St Kilda getting over the line. He had 12 disposals, seven of which were contested in the final quarter.

St Kilda 4.3 7.4 12.7 16.12 (108)

Fremantle 4.2 7.4 12.6 14.9 (93)

GOALS

St Kilda: Goddard 5, Milne 5, Dal Santo 2, Schneider 2, Jones, McQualter

Fremantle: Pavlich 5, Hill 2, Pearce 2, McPhee, Ballantyne, Mundy, Mayne

BEST

St Kilda: Dal Santo, Goddard, Milne, Schneider, Jones, Geary, Montagna

Fremantle: Pavlich, Sandilands, Hill, Duffield, Hayden, Mundy, Barlow

INJURIES

St Kilda: Nil

Fremantle: Nil

Reports: Nil