The Southern Saints soared to second spot on the ladder after holding off a desperate Collingwood by five points in a desperate struggle at Victoria Park.

The Saints grabbed the upper hand when Abbey Tregellis kicked a goal in just the fourth minute before the match turned into a high-pressure battle where no quarter was asked or given, with last year’s Grand Finalist holding the second-placed Magpies goalless for most of the day and taking a 14-point lead into the last term.

Collingwood wasn’t done with, getting within eight when Tricia Cowan booted what turned out to be its only goal with 6:37 on the clock, but despite dominating the final stretch it could only manage three behinds as the Saints held on gamely.

Tessa Boyd continued her wonderful season for the Saints with another best-on-ground display, picking up 24 touches, five marks and five rebounds, while Madi Capsalis (19 disposals, five marks, six clearances, eight tackles), damaging winger Winnie Laing (19 disposals, eight tackles), Deanna Jolliffe (16 disposals, 13 tackles) and Charlotte Ryan (16 disposals, five entries) made their presence felt.

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Collingwood gun Jess Bates did her Lambert-Pearce Medal hopes no harm with a game-high 25 possessions, nine clearances and five tackles, Elizabeth Jackson (20 disposals, five clearances, five tackles, six entries) was a capable assistant, Georgia Ricardo (15 disposals, five rebounds, five tackles) worked hard in defence, Matilda Zander laid 12 tackles and Rene Caris had 23 hitouts.

The Southern Saints will face Casey for the second time this season next Saturday, this time at their home turf of Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

COLLINGWOOD  0.2  0.2  0.3  1.7 (13)
SOUTHERN SAINTS  1.1  1.4  2.5  2.6 (18)

GOALS
Collingwood: Cowan
Southern Saints: Tregellis, Ebb

BEST
Collingwood: Bates, Caris, Zander, Jackson, Ricardo
Southern Saints: Boyd, Jolliffe, Hynes, Laing, Moore