St Kilda have caused an almighty 18-point boilover against finals fancies Geelong on Saturday night, 16.11 (107) to 14.5 (89).
The Cats were in cruise control in the first half before a scintillating seven-goal third term from the Saints laid the platform for an emphatic come from behind victory.
And when the Cats looked like reasserting their dominance late, Ross Lyon’s side had all the answers, piling on six goals in the final term to secure their tenth win of 2024.
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Defender Callum Wilkie was immense for the Saints down back, racking up a team-high 28 disposals and 15 marks, while ruck Rowan Marshall was dominant amassing 28 touches, ten clearances and 541 metres gained.
Young gun Darcy Wilson was his side’s fire starter with 25 touches and 2.3, while captain Jack Steele booted two goals from 27 disposals and ten tackles.
The 3-2-1…
3 SAINTS CONTINUE TO WREAK HAVOC
They might not be featuring in September, but there’s been plenty to like from the Saints in recent times.
The Saints have won four out of their last five matches and six out of their last ten to give fans an insight into what they could produce under Ross Lyon in 2025.
And shouldn’t fans be excited.
Despite a lacklustre first half, whatever Lyon said at half time worked wonders as the Saints produced a scintillating comeback victory.
“An extraordinary change of game style and momentum… this game has flipped completely on its head,” Fox Footy host Sarah Jones said at the final break.
“It’s so on brand for season 2024, we didn’t see this coming. The Saints moved the ball pretty well in the second quarter but couldn’t close the gap… that third quarter was the best for St Kilda for the year, it was mighty impressive,” St Kilda champion Leigh Montagna replied.
The Saints piled on seven goals in their stunning blitz to put the Cats to the sword as their top four hopes teeter on the edge.
“They got to work, they were able to win some centre bounce and get the ball going forward,” Montagna said.
“They picked apart Geelong’s team defence and were really impressive.
“Their pressure was elite in the third quarter.”
It was a remarkable turnaround for the Saints, who were battered around the coalface in the first term, conceding a whopping five goals from stoppage.
Defender Callum Wilkie was a brick wall in defence racking up a team-high 28 disposals and 15 marks, while ruck Rowan Marshall was dominant amassing 28 touches, ten clearances and 541 metres gained.
Young gun Darcy Wilson was his side’s fire starter with 25 touches and 2.3, while captain Jack Steele booted two goals from 27 disposals and ten tackles.
Livewire small forward Jack Higgins booted three majors for the Saints.
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2 WHERE TO NOW FOR CATS?
Ladder predictors are getting a serious work out in 2024 and we’re none the wiser as to what the finals race looks like after that result.
Geelong were in total cruise control until St Kilda’s second half blitz “rattled” Chris Scott’s side.
“There’s no questions answered tonight – we’ve got no idea who wants to win it. It’s a strange season and I don’t know where to start with this review, Geelong looked in full control in that first half,” North Melbourne champion David King said on Fox Footy.
“All of the top teams are showing chinks in their armour… all of the top sides have had stages over the last month where they’ve looked incredibly vulnerable and coughed up games that they should win,” Hawthorn legend Jason Dunstall added.
The Saints “picked apart” Geelong’s defence, taking a whopping 128 marks which included 20 inside forward 50.
“That second half, I don’t know if we’ve seen Geelong’s back six look as rattled,” King lamented.
“They got picked apart as easily as we’ve seen,” Montagna replied.
So how concerned should we be? The Cats are still nestled inside the top four after Brisbane and Fremantle both lost earlier today so assuming they can defeat the lowly ranked West Coast in round 24, they should still sew up the double chance.
But this isn’t the first time this season Geelong have raised more questions than they’ve answered.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the Cats capitulate… I’m not sure what to make of them,” Montagna said.
Is this just a stumble in the road or are there greater issues at play down at the Cattery?
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1 YOUNGSTER CATCHES FIRE
Darcy Wilson might not get the accolades that some of the other young guns in the competition do, but it’s time we put some respect on his name.
The smooth-moving Murray Bushrangers product has been a superb pick-up for the Saints in 2024 and is the only draftee to have played every game so far.
Wilson has an elite endurance base, and his work rate means he is able to get to plenty of contests as he thrives in a wing role.
Wilson had five shots on goal in St Kilda’s barnstorming third term, booting 2.2 as the “firestarter” of his side’s comeback.
The no. 18 pick from last year’s national draft has speed to burn and is highly skilled with both his left and right foot.
“He wouldn’t even blow out a candle,” former Geelong superstar Joel Selwood explained on Channel 7’s broadcast.
Wilson racked up a career-high 25 disposals, eight score involvements and 505 metres gained to go with his two goals on the night.
All of the Telstra AFL Rising Star discussions have been around Geelong youngster Ollie Dempsey and North Melbourne beast George Wardlaw, but Wilson a genuine threat to the award.
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MATCH RECAP
There are no late changes, with Hugo Garcia (STK) and Mitch Duncan (GEE) named tonight’s starting substitutes.
Burgeoning Geelong key forward Shannon Neale marked strongly and kicked truly to draw first blood for the Cats.
Geelong coach Chris Scott was left dumbfounded after a controversial free kick paid against star forward Jeremy Cameron.
Shaun Mannagh and Ollie Henry added second and third goals for Geelong.
The Cats took a three-goal lead into the first change.
The two captains exchanged blows early in the second term, as Cats skipper Patrick Dangerfield kicked a superb goal on the run before St Kilda heartbeat Jack Steele converted his opportunity in front of the big sticks.
Cat Ollie Dempsey and Saints duo Jack Higgins and Mason Wood also bobbed up for their first goals of the night.
Dempsey’s goal broke the heart of Saints coach Ross Lyon, who was left rueing an unlucky bounce that eluded star defender Callum Wilkie.
Three quick goals from Geelong though saw the margin extend out to 33 points for the Cats at half time.
St Kilda started the second half strongly, booting three quick goals to slash the margin back to 15 points.
When Darcy Wilson added his second of the night to make it four in a row, the Saints were charging with plenty of momentum.
Goals from Saints duo Tim Membrey and Jack Higgins saw the Saints briefly take the lead, before Gary Rohan’s major saw scores tied once more.
Mitchito Owens made something out of nothing to give St Kilda a slender six-point lead at the final change.
Geelong forward Tyson Stengle quickly vanquished that with his second major but Brad Hill reinstated St Kilda’s lead with his set shot not long after.
Rhys Stanley booted the next for Geelong but from there on it was all St Kilda, as Ross Lyon’s side piled on another five goals to put the game to bed.
“The Saints have just found a way, it’s been incredible the turnaround,” Dale Thomas exclaimed on commentary.
The Cats kicked two more goals to finish the match, but it was all too little, too late as the Saints secured their tenth victory of 2024.
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Source Agencies
