St Kilda has hung on for a thrilling three-point victory over Gold Coast after another massive umpire call allowed Max King to kick the match winner on Saturday night.
Sun Mac Andrew had to be pulled away by teammates when he was penalized for a hold on his big Saints opponent with less than three minutes to play – heard stating “he’s doing it to me” and “it’s got to go both ways”.
King made no mistake with the set shot from just 20m out as the Saints claimed a 7.9 (51) to 7.6 (48) win at Marvel Stadium.
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“I don’t like that paid. I’m not a fan of that at all,” commentator Cameron Ling said.
The Gold Coast had hit the lead for the first time in the match late in the final term before the King free kick.
The result ensures Suns coach Damien Hardwick’s Marvel Stadium hoodoo rolls on as he hits a seventh straight Marvel Stadium match without a win.
FOLLOWING MATCH REPORT
There were no late changes for either side, with Sebastian Ross (St Kilda) and David Swallow (Gold Coast) the respective substitutes.
Gun small forward Jack Higgins kicked off proceedings for the home team, kicking truly in front of goal and giving the Saints the first drawing of blood.
A free kick to Dan Butler at the top of the goal square off the ball with seven minutes left in the quarter brought the game’s second goal, and an early two-goal lead to the Saints.
Ben King opened the Suns’ major account with a set shot to get them going, but live wire Butler kicked a beauty of a goal in response – registering his second for the night so far.
At quarter time, the Saints led the Suns 3.1 (19) to 1.1 (7).
Gold Coast defender Sam Flanders (10 disposals), Joel Jeffrey (eight disposals) and Sam Collins (six disposals, four marks) have held plenty of poise across the back line for the visitors in the first term, but the dangerous Higgins and Butler up forward have hit the scoreboard in return.
Max King levelled the goal kicking battle with twin brother Ben, slotting a set shot from 45 metres out on a 45 degree angle.
His kick gave the Saints a 21-point lead with seven and a half minutes to play before half time – as well as the game’s first goal in the second term, 16 minutes in.
A late Ben Ainsworth goal for the Suns brought the margin back to 14 points, with just two goals kicked in the quarter and six in the first half.
Flanders continued to absolutely dominate off half-back, registering 26 disposals, eight marks and five intercept possessions in the first half.
Marcus Windhager has clamped gun Sun Touk Miller hard in the first half, limiting the two-time All-Australian to just three disposals by half time.
Ben Long kicked the Suns off with a bang in the third quarter, converting from a set shot to bring back the margin to eight points.
Jack Higgins found himself in the right place, right time later on though in the goal square, taking an uncontested mark to stroll in for his second of the night.
Sub David Swallow replied almost instantly after being subbed on for Brayden Fiorini, before Dan Butler and Matt Rowell kicked goals soon after in a scoring run not seen so far tonight.
At three-quarter time, the Suns trailed by eight points – with the Saints evidently not making the most of their around-the-ground control.
Ben King kicked his second of the night as the maiden goal in fourth quarter, and cut the Suns’ deficit to just three points with only half a quarter to go.
Despite Windhager having the better of Touk Miller all night, the midfielder kicked a crucial goal to give the visitors a two-point lead with eight minutes to play.
But the match turned again with less than three minutes to play when Suns defender Mac Andrew was penalised for an off the ball hold on Max King – which the big Saint converted.
And from there, the Saints didn’t relent as they held on for a three-point win.
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Source Agencies
