THE RESULT
St Kilda 8.10 (58) defeated by West Coast 12.11 (83)

THE MOMENT
When Dean Cox ran into goal and sealed the game in his record-equalling match, the Perth crowd erupted.

Before this, St Kilda was a faint chance but any hopes of a late comeback were eliminated when the six-time All-Australian and former rookie put the contest to bed.

THE GOAL
Halfway through the second term St Kilda was trailing by 15 points. The game looked to be slipping away when Nick Riewoldt took a strong mark, steadied, and goaled from 40 metres out.

This was a pivotal moment in the match, as the Saints then went on to lead by eight points at the half-time break. It also reaffirmed just how valuable the skipper is – in case anyone had forgotten!

VIDEO: Vintage Riewoldt

THE STAR
Luke Dunstan has quickly established himself as one of the AFL’s best young midfielders after just three games of league footy.

His performance against West Coast was special, but it was even more significant when you consider the fact he’s only 19.

Dunstan collected a career-high 29 disposals, laid five tackles, registered seven clearances and pumped the ball inside 50 twice in a phenomenal performance.

But the left-footer’s most impressive statistic was his 83 per cent disposal efficiency, a number which was considerably higher than all of his teammates aside from James Gwilt (14 touches at 100 per cent)

VIDEO: Dunstan goal

THE CROWD
36,448 at Patersons Stadium

THE STATISTIC(S)
Clearances:
STK 43, WC 36

Contested possessions:
STK 147, WC 137

Clangers
STK 53, WC 43

St Kilda has won clearances and contested possessions in all three games this year, but let itself down with its ball use against the Eagles.

WHAT RICHO SAID
“We were well and truly solid defensively but didn’t maximise when we turned the footy over. We were able to achieve 41 midfield turnovers which is a pretty good number but we weren’t able to capitalise. We thought we were really strong in terms of effort and contest.”

VIDEO: Richo press conference

THE ANALYSIS
St Kilda’s work in the clinches was again superb, tackling ferociously and battling hard to win the 50/50 ball. 

However, as they tired, the Saints ball use became sloppy and as a result their forward 50 entries lacked efficiency. 

Earlier, St Kilda moved the ball well, but as is often the case with young teams, they faded and it probably cost them the game.

The other aspect of the match were West Coast’s tall forwards, who presented a difficult problem for the Saints defenders all night. Although Sean Dempster, James Gwilt and co competed manfully, the Eagles aerial presence ultimately proved too strong.

Alan Richardson and his team will take a lot of their first interstate trip for 2014 and with a touch more polish may have come away with an upset victory. 

THE TWEET