After remaining within touching distance for most of the encounter, despite wayward goal kicking, three North Melbourne goals inside the first five minutes of the final quarter extinguished that faint glimmer of hope, terminating St Kilda’s slim finals chances in the process.
For Saints Coach Alan Richardson, that period at the beginning of the last quarter epitomised his sides night at stoppages. Although the Kangaroos did win the clearance count (+8), the numbers weren’t heavily in their favour, but the quality of their exits were brutal.
“That period just after three-quarter time when they were able to get some really quality out of there – that was disappointing,” Richardson told reporters at his post-match press conference.
“We were beaten pretty comprehensively at stoppage, not necessarily from a numbers perspective, but just the quality.
“We’ve had some guys that have been in really good form and been really aggressive physical onballers for us that were beaten pretty badly in that period of the game – we’re only talking about a five minute period where they kicked three goals and made it tough then, we were a fair way back.”
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Only two St Kilda players registered more than three clearances – Leigh Montagna (five) and Seb Ross (four) – while Ben Cunnington (eight), Sam Gibson (five) and Andrew Swallow (five) put the Saints to the sword in the clinches.
Despite accumulating a sizeable inside 50 discrepancy (+12), St Kilda didn’t make North pay in front of goal, kicking 8.14 with three of those goals accounting for the Saints’ last three scores of the night.
“We had a lot of entries; we had a lot of opportunities; their backs had the better of our forwards on the night. There was a lot that worked for us, but it was a frustrating night,” Richardson said.
“(Inaccuracy) certainly didn’t help. A couple of set shots at really important times (caused us to) lose a bit of momentum on those plays.”
Richardson lauded the performance of former first-round pick Blake Acres, labelling it as his best effort yet at AFL level. The West Australian collected 22 possessions (10 contested), four tackles, four inside 50s and a goal, in a performance that rivalled his Rising Star nomination effort in Round 6.
“Blake Acres probably had his best game for the club I thought. I know he had a really positive game earlier in the year and won the NAB nomination for the week, but his ability to play really strong footy for us, not only in the midfield but at times forward was really encouraging, so that’s pleasing,” he said.
