Saints surge into finals, leaving Cats’ premiership defence in tatters
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St Kilda have completed the initial rise club management had wanted under coach Ross Lyon, claiming a finals berth, and have left Geelong’s premiership defence in tatters, after a 33-point win at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
The Saints’ 13th win of the season has them assured of a finals berth for the first time since 2020 regardless of next Saturday’s trip to Brisbane to face the Lions.
The Cats’ tale of woe leaves them with only 10 wins and a draw, their season all but over ahead of their round-24 clash against the Western Bulldogs. It’s been some fall from grace for the Cats, who had only missed the finals once in coach Chris Scott’s previous 12 seasons.
Happy days: Max King celebrates a goal against the Cats on a night the Saints booked a berth in the 2023 finals.Credit: Getty Images
The hard-pressing Saints squeezed the life out of the slow Cats, preventing their opponents from enjoying the run they typically employ. St Kilda jumped to an early lead, and held sway, particularly in the third term when Geelong attempted to rally.
Cats coach Chris Scott said he wanted his side to “embrace” the pressure that came with a must-win game, but they could not get the job done. Lyon was brought back to Moorabbin this year after the emotional sacking of Brett Ratten to deliver in the big moments. He has completed a major milestone.
An early injury to defender Esava Ratugolea unsettled the Cats’ defence, as Ratugolea had the job on Max King. His absence meant Sam De Koning and Jake Kolodjashnij had to spend time on the athletic forward. King was the most dangerous forward on the ground, finishing with three goals.
Outta my way: Saint Hunter Clark shrugs off a tackle by Patrick Dangerfield at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.Credit: Getty Images
The Cats also lost Brad Close (ankle) to injury at half-time, and could not generate the necessary run despite Tom Stewart providing significant drive from half-back. Fellow veteran Mitch Duncan was also busy.
Star Saint Jack Sinclair (career-best 38 disposals) continued his All-Australian form, providing run and dash, and an important defensive disposal with five minutes remaining in the final term, while ruck Rowan Marshall feasted on inexperienced opponent Shannon Neale and booted the sealer with less than three minutes remaining. The Saints dominated the clearances 33-21, including centre clearances 15-8.
“We really set ourselves … every week is a final. I feel like we really lifted tonight,” Sinclair said.
Brad Crouch was robust as an inside mid, the unheralded Mason Wood steady, while Brad Hill, despite nursing a sore right knee, was important through the midfield.
Saint Jack Higgins celebrates one of his two majors against the Cats.Credit: Getty Images
That key Saints defenders Callum Wilkie, Josh Battle and Zaine Cordy held Tom Hawkins to only one goal, while Jeremy Cameron was goalless and pushed into the midfield in the final term, told the tale. Skipper Patrick Dangerfield was held to only 13 disposals.
Counterpart Jack Steele, meanwhile, had one of his best games of the season (27 disposals).
Raising the ton
Jack Higgins may have been celebrating his 100th game, but the Saints were all business after Marshall won the opening tap. The clearance led to a Higgins free kick for holding by Jed Bews, gifting the former Tiger a set shot from about 25 metres out.
However, the Saints took the advantage, leading to Mitch Owens running into goal. One can only wonder what Higgins thought about that.
For Bews, it wasn’t the best of starts, as he was done for holding the ball a few minutes later, King giving the Saints their second goal of the night.
Royal presence
Speaking of King, his presence was felt again later in the term when, having outmanoeuvred Ratugolea, he flew from the side and marked at centre half-forward, converting to give the Saints their fourth goal.
Ratugolea’s frustration was compounded when he immediately left the field because of a hamstring strain. He was replaced by substitute Brandan Parfitt.
In a drama-filled first term, Seb Ross, having only returned from a hamstring injury last week, was forced off at quarter-time because of the same issue (right leg). He was replaced by Hunter Clark.
The Cats had won the most first quarters this season (16) of any side, but King’s efforts ensured there wasn’t a 17th on this night.
Under the microscope
Duncan will face match review scrutiny for a potential dangerous tackle on Higgins in the first term. Higgins’ head jolted backwards, but he played on.
ST KILDA 4.3 6.8 9.14 12.16 (88)
GEELONG 2.3 4.4 6.5 8.7 (55)
GOALS – St Kilda: King 3, Higgins 2, Butler 2, Sharman 2, Owens, Marshall, Phillipou.
Geelong: Hawkins 2, Stengle, Holmes, Duncan, Guthrie, Atkins, Tuohy.
BEST – St Kilda: Sinclair, King, Marshall, Crouch, Steele.
Geelong: Duncan, Stewart, Atkins.
UMPIRES – Broadbent, Williamson, Fleer, Mollison.
CROWD – 40,103 at Marvel Stadium.
VOTES
Jack Sinclair (St Kilda) 8
Rowan Marshall (St Kilda) 8
Brad Crouch (St Kilda) 8
Max King (St Kilda) 7
Jack Steele (St Kilda) 7
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