The Southern Saints have kept their finals campaign alive, triumphing over a formidable Geelong outfit by eight points in a thrilling elimination final at Deakin University Oval.
In another low-scoring but hard-fought contest between the two sides, the clash delivered all the excitement expected of finals action, but it was the Saints that prevailed with three unanswered majors in the second term which sealed the 4.2(26) to 2.6(18) victory and a position in the second round of finals action.
The Saints trailed by 12 points at quarter-time, before a goal to Hannah Stuart (18 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances, one goal) began a run of three straight majors as Tayla Kearns (two goals) and Chantelle Slater (one goal) hit the scoreboard, handing the visitors a handy eight-point lead at the main break.
Geelong reaped the benefits of a fast start initially, controlling the contest in a frenetic opening period which saw Carly Remmos spark the first in the opening seven minutes.
The clash settled into a more contested affair as fourteen minutes of the ensuing period passed without a score, and while the Saints’ lead may have appeared comfortable, Geelong stayed in touch; a piece from the Cats’ Keeley Hardingham eventually breaking the drought.
VFLW MATCH CENTRE: View all news, stats and videos from the elimination final
The margin stood at two behinds when Kearns came to the fore, who put through her second major to grant the Saints a crucial triumph after a tense final term.
The Southern Saints’ back six, led by Deanna Jolliffe, worked overtime to remain impenetrable, while Grace Buchan (16 disposals, six marks, three tackles) bore a strong influence on the contest as Alexandra Hynes (11 disposals, eight hit-outs, five tackles) provided customary pressure on the ball.
The Southern Saints will now progress to the second round of finals action, with their opponent to be determined in the coming days following Sunday's Elimination Final between Casey and Collingwood.
SOUTHERN SAINTS 0.0 3.2 3.2 4.2 (26)
GEELONG 1.6 1.6 2.6 2.6 (18)
GOALS
Southern Saints: Kearns 2, Slater, Stuart
Geelong: Hardingham, Remmos
BEST
Southern Saints: Stuart, Buchan, Hynes, Ripari, Neaves, Saultry, Jolliffe
Geelong: Remmos, Ramsay, Scheer, Simpson, Leonard, Hardingham, Dowling
