After far too long, Saints Footy is back in 2024!

Here's everything you need to know ahead of St Kilda's season opener against Geelong this Saturday night!

Round 1

Geelong v St Kilda
Saturday 16 March
GMHBA Stadium, 7:30pm AEDT
Broadcast on Channel 7, Fox Footy & Kayo

Gates open at 5:30pm

Saints Footy in Saturday prime-time? You simply can't miss it! Secure your tickets for our season opener against the Cats at GHMBA Stadium.

If you are a Saints member who has purchased tickets through Ticketmaster, you can add your tickets to your smartphone wallet via the Ticketmaster app now.

 Why download your ticket now?

• Help avoid congestion at the gates and ensure smoother entry into GMHBA Stadium.
• Your ticket will still scan when it's been added to your wallet, regardless of if you're experiencing issues accessing the internet.
• Screenshots of tickets won't work - add to your wallet or forward to your family and friends if they are using tickets.

The Member Zone is a new online space dedicated to link St Kilda members with all the information they need to get the most out of their memberships.

To access our Member Zone, click here.

Train

Geelong is approximately one hour from Southern Cross Station, with the Geelong Railway Station situated 1.8 kilometres to the north of GHMBA and South Geelong Station located 450 metres to the east.

Additional services may be provided by V/Line on Major Event days. Patrons are encouraged to visit the V/Line and/or Public Transport Victoria websites for more information and to plan their journeys accordingly.

Car

There will be no public parking available in the immediate vicinity of the venue for Saturday's game between the Saints and Cats. 

Bus

Public bus stops are located along Moorabool Street, directly opposite Gate 5 (Bernie Smith, river end) and Gate 1 (Polly Farmer, city end.

Please note bus routes are subject to change based on road closures along Moorabool Street, whih will be implemented for specific major events.

Visit the Kardinia Park website for the latest stadium information.

Get all your red, white and black gear sorted before the game, exclusively through Saints Locker online!

Follow St Kilda's official social media channels for all the latest news and behind-the-scenes action on game day.

Join the conversation and show your support through Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and X by using the official hashtags #SaintsFooty and #AFLCatsSaints.

Visit the official Saints Match Centre for live in-game stats, highlights, news and other updates.

There are last-minute fightbacks, and then there are the ones that catch you completely off-guard.

What looked to be a comfortable triumph for Geelong - who led by 22 points midway through the last quarter - was unexpectedly turned on its head by a fast-finishing St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium, who came within a point of pulling off the unthinkable after ramming home three of the game's last four goals in a frantic final term.

Led by Tim Membrey (three goals) and Max King (two) and leaders Jack Steele and Rowan Marshall, the Saints galvanised in the twilight stages after an inconsistent first half to almost pinch the four points, before Patrick Dangerfield steadied the ship late to pull his side ahead with a minute to play and secure the 10.16 (76) to 9.14 (68) result.

Geelong were led superbly by the Cats skipper (25 disposals, eight clearances) prior to his match-winning moment, with young and upcoming midfielder Max Holmes (24) and Ollie Dempsey (three goals) delivering in their respective domains to give their side an early advantage which appeared unassailable until the closing passages. 

In an evening punctuated with inaccuracy in front of goal, the Saints ended up being just one straight kick away from souring the Cats' prime-time party and marking their first win at the venue since 1999. The home side had reason to celebrate with the unveiling of the newly built Joel Selwood Stand, with Dangerfield's clutch moment keeping his side's plans intact.

SAINTS MATCH CENTRE: View all news, stats and videos from Round 1

Tom Hawkins attempted to get the home crowd cracking in the opening minutes and christen the newly opened Joel Selwood Stand with an ambitious mid-air snap, however it was the returning Tim Membrey - up the other end of the ground - whose long bomb into a vacant forward-50 drew first blood.

Although Membrey may have got the Saints rolling, his opposition counterpart in Jeremy Cameron got the Cats’ party truly rocking. 

Cameron's sensational, in-swinging shot at the sticks on the run (which is sure to be one of the contenders for Goal of the Year) topped the pre-game fireworks and theatrics, kicking off a four-goal run either side of quarter-time which threatened to spill out of control. 

Membrey, King and Mattaes Phillipou abated the Cats’ scoreboard momentum midway through the second to pare back the deficit, but the Cats’ sway on the contest was evident; their domination of forward entries (+17 at half-time) very nearly ballooning the margin out much further if not for some errant kicking.

VOTE FOR YOUR RED ROOSTER SAINTER OF THE ROUND!

Ross Lyon shifted the magnets at half-time to stem the bleeding: Cooper Sharman moved to defence to quell the dangerous Dempsey (who had kicked three goals by half-time), Marcus Windhager shifted on-ball into a run-with role on Holmes and debutant Lance Collard injected into the game in place of Seb Ross.

The early signs showed promise. GMHBA Stadium's comparatively small but vocal Saints crowd erupted when first-gamer Darcy Wilson put through his first goal to cut the margin back to single figures, and with the Cats curbed to just six points for the term, the Saints had the door ajar.

It seemed an unlikely scenario given the first-half dominance of their opposition and track record at Kardinia Park, however fast turned into a reality as Membrey’s second put the Saints to within a goal in the opening minutes of the final stanza.

But the Cats’ repeated presses forward - coupled with several close calls - finally overcame the besieged defence; the sealer from Dangerfield carrying on the 25-year, 12-game undefeated streak at home against St Kilda.

GEELONG. 2.3  6.7  6.13  10.16 (76)
ST KILDA  1.5  4.6  5.9  9.14 (68)

GOALS
Geelong: Dempsey 3, Cameron 2, Close, Tuohy, Henry, Hawkins, Dangerfield
St Kilda: Membrey 3, King 2, Wilson 2, Phillipou, Sharman

BEST
Geelong: Dangerfield, Dempsey, Holmes, Cameron, Kolodjashnij
St Kilda: Marshall, Membrey, Membrey, Bonner, Battle, Wanganeen-Milera

INJURIES
Geelong: Nil
St Kilda: Stocker (TBC)

SUBSTITUTES
Geelong: Stengle (replaced by Manangh in the third quarter)
St Kilda: Ross (replaced by Collard in the third quarter)

CROWD
39352 at GMHBA Stadium