St Kilda has kept their slim finals chance alive by adding the Western Bulldogs to their list of 2016 scalps, working away to an impressive 15-point win at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
The Saints third successive win – and seventh in a row at Etihad Stadium – is the best streak under Alan Richardson’s watch, shifting St Kilda to a winning record of 9-8 after 18 rounds.
After conceding four of the first six goals, St Kilda worked their way into the game in the second quarter, before withstanding a strong challenge in the third stanza. Then, in a superb defensive display, the Saints held Luke Beveridge’s side scoreless in the final term to win 11.9 (75) to 9.6 (60).
At half-time, and again early in the third quarter, Jack Steven was on world record pace. Everywhere he went the ball followed him. He had 26 disposals at the main break, and by the sixth minute mark of the third quarter he had cracked the magical 30 barrier, for the eighth time this season.
By the final siren, the never ending battery finished with 39 possessions (14 contested), seven tackles and six clearances in another accomplished performance that should do his All Australian chances no harm.
Hovering between the arcs and across half forward, Mav Weller followed up his standout performance against the Demons with an even better night. Although his night didn’t start on the right note, after he collided with Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae, splitting open his chin in the process.
But from there, the transformed forward was clinical with his disposal and with his hands overhead, providing the ideal link on transition. Weller finished with 22 possessions (13 contested), eight marks and five inside 50s.
While Steven did his thing around the ball, and then some more, he was well supported by Luke Dunstan and David Armitage. The trio set the tone, with their ferocious pressure on display across the night.
Time and time again Dunstan and Armitage threw their body at the opposition, smothering the ball with their arms, forehead, stomach – anything that impeded the Bulldogs forays forward. Jack Newnes also played an important role in the win, producing another tireless effort, collecting 26 disposals and five tackles in the process.
In a commanding display in the second quarter, six-time Trevor Barker Award winner Nick Riewoldt kicked three goals to lead the Saints to one goal advantage at the main interval. The skipper kicked another in the third to finish with four from ten marks, penetrating the Bulldogs’ seemingly impenetrable defence.
In arguably the back six’s best performance of the season, Sean Dempster, Dylan Roberton, Jarryn Geary and Sam Gilbert worked in unison, dropping off their direct opponents at the right time to support each other in a polished effort. While Shane Savage and Leigh Montagna provided plenty of zip off half-back. It was a Bulldogs like defensive effort, just at the other end of the ground.
It was a night of carnage for the Dogs on the injury front, with Dale Morris sitting out the entire second half before, Jack Redpath came from the ground in the arms of the trainers with a suspected knee injury. Minutes later, Mitch Wallis was wheeled off the surface on a stretcher after suffering an lower leg injury in a jarring tackle by Savage.
St Kilda’s focus now shifts to North Melbourne next Saturday night at Etihad Stadium, where the Saints face a season defining encounter.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.2 6.4 9.6 9.6 (60)
ST KILDA 3.3 7.4 10.5 11.9 (75)
GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Bontempelli 3, Dickson 2, Smith, Redpath, Suckling, Jong
St Kilda: Riewoldt 4, Membrey 2, Weller, Armitage, Steven, Gresham, Wright
BEST
St Kilda: Steven, Riewoldt, Weller, Dempster, Hickey, Newnes, Roberton
INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Dale Morris (left quad), Jack Redpath (right knee), Wallis (left ankle)
St Kilda: Weller (cut to chin), Leigh Montagna (corked left quad)
Official crowd: 26,532 at Etihad Stadium
