St Kilda has booked its spot in the 2022 VWFL finals with a 50-point victory over Hawthorn in the league's inaugural Pride Round.
Taking place in the penultimate round of the season, the Saints came into the weekend needing to win one of their two games against Collingwood and the Hawks to lock in a spot in September.
Facing off against the Pies in the first of their double-header, the black and white got off to a fast start and managed to hold off St Kilda despite Ryan Smith’s side mounting a challenge.
Smith was once again his classy self while Liam Fitzgerald was fantastic in defence as he battled against the Collingwood forwards.
Heading into the second clash against Hawthorn, it was the Saints who came out firing, slotting goal after goal through long handball chains and contested ground balls.
Smith dominated from the get-go, scoring nine majors while young Tyler Nash showcased his potential with a three-goal haul, helping his side storm home for the win.
The Saints will head to back to Boroondara Sports Complex in two weeks’ time to take on Essendon in the final round of the season.
Meanwhile, St Kilda’s blind team is set to defend its 2021 premiership this Saturday as it faces Hawthorn in the first VBFL Semi-Final.
The Saints finished the home-and-away season atop the ladder with just the one loss for the year and will be looking to come out firing this weekend against the Hawks.
The final will take place on Saturday at Action Indoor Sports Stadium in Tullamarine, with the first bounce from 11:00am.
