Jack Billings played the best game of his short career, hitting a target with each of his 25 disposals to further assert himself as a highly promising and damaging AFL player. At 18, Billings potential is limitless.
Similarly, Jack Newnes and Jimmy Webster repelled countless attacks, with Newnes' right foot and Webster's left the features of their games.
The fact Newnes is more willing the venture further afield than Webster makes him slightly more prolific than the Tasmanian, but what Webster lacks in quantity he makes up for in quality and this was strikingly evident against the Eagles.
Clint Jones, a late replacement for Leigh Montagna, spent the majority of the contest playing a defensive role on dangerous West Coast half-back Shannon Hurn. But Jones, who was playing his 146th game for the club, managed to boot two goals in addition to quelling Hurn's impact.
Newcomers Darren Minchington and Shane Savage were impressive at various stages as well.
Minchington began superbly, playing an important part in Jack Billings' opener and collecting four disposals in the first five minutes. Meanwhile, Savage was electric all afternoon and played arguably his best game in the red, white and black. The ex-Hawk finished with a season-best 21 touches and a game-high six inside 50s.
Midfielders Lenny Hayes and Jack Steven were both industrious, while defenders Luke Delaney, Sean Dempster and James Gwilt were serviceable.
Earlier, the Saints made a promising start with Billings influential in the first term, booting three goals in a stunning 20 minutes of football that helped the home team towards a seven-point lead at the first break.
Yet five majors in the second quarter swung the game back in favour of Adam Simpson's men, with Mark LeCras and ex-Saint Mark Hutchings pivotal players in midfield battle.
West Coast's tall timber, despite the absence of Dean Cox, looked dangerous all afternoon, and it was Jeremy McGovern who looked more likely than the more experienced Josh Kennedy to hit the scoreboard, especially in the third term.
27 points adrift heading in the final quarter, it was always going to be tough for St Kilda and so it proved. Despite their best efforts and some significant forward pressure, the Eagles resisted and ultimately deserved what was a hard-fought win.
Earlier, the Saints made a promising start with Billings influential in the first term, booting three goals in a stunning 20 minutes of football that helped the home team towards a seven-point lead at the first break.
Yet five majors in the second quarter swung the game back in favour of Adam Simpson's men, with Mark LeCras and ex-Saint Mark Hutchings pivotal players in midfield battle.
West Coast's tall timber, despite the absence of Dean Cox, looked dangerous all afternoon, and it was Jeremy McGovern who looked more likely than the more experienced Josh Kennedy to hit the scoreboard, especially in the third term.
27 points adrift heading in the final quarter, it was always going to be tough for St Kilda and so it proved. Despite their best efforts and some significant forward pressure, the Eagles resisted and ultimately deserved what was a hard-fought win.
Shortly after booting the first goal in his 30-game AFL career, Tom Simpkin was handed the red vest and replaced by Brodie Murdoch. Murdoch impressed in the last term, collecting five disposals and registering two score assists.
ST KILDA: 10.10 (70)
WEST COAST: 15.13 (103)
GOALS: Billings 3, Jones 2, Hayes, Riewoldt, Simpkin, Minchington, Lee
BEST: Newnes, Billings, Steven, Hayes, Webster, Dempster
ST KILDA: 10.10 (70)
WEST COAST: 15.13 (103)
GOALS: Billings 3, Jones 2, Hayes, Riewoldt, Simpkin, Minchington, Lee
BEST: Newnes, Billings, Steven, Hayes, Webster, Dempster
