St Kilda was always keen to leave the Junction Oval with a bang.

The famed St Kilda Cricket Ground had seen many famous footballing days over nine decades, but the last game before shifting to a new home at Moorabbin was truly special.

Tears of joy and despair had been shed many times at the ground, but St Kilda made no mistake about finishing on a high.

And it was on this day in 1964 when the Saints bid farewell to their home of 91 years, with the final match closing a historic chapter of the club’s history.

THE START OF A NEW ERA: St Kilda's record-breaking Moorabbin debut

The Saints took on the Cats that afternoon, with the final result preventing Geelong from earning the coveted double chance for the 1964 finals series.

As the Saints peppered the goals in the first quarter, it looked like they were the team about to enter the finals instead of Geelong, who were comfortably ensconced in the top-four.

St Kilda simply wanted the ball more in a dazzling opening half-hour that stunned the Cats.

If not for wild kicking at goal (4.9 to 1.1), the game would have been over by quarter-time.

ON THIS DAY: G-Train kicks 10 against the Roos

Champion Geelong ruckman ‘Polly’ Farmer was given no respite by the Saints’ ruck duet Carl Ditterich and Alan Morrow.

Farmer, however, was the only man who kept the Cats in the contest; rover Bill Goggin was rarely sighted and St Kilda broke clear of the packs all day.

Geelong’s defence stopped the Saints running away with the game, while up the other end, Verdun Howell was in brilliant form at full-back.

Ian Stewart comprehensively beat 1962 Brownlow medallist Alistair Lord in the centre and wingmen Jim Read and Ross Oakley also outpointed their opponents.

The final margin of 12 points in St Kilda’s favour flattered Geelong who were outpaced, outmarked, out-rucked and out-thought for the best part of three quarters.

THANKS ARMO: David Armitage calls time

Geelong had a late flurry after St Kilda had built a 32-point lead in the final term, but they were never going to overtake the home team. 

As a footnote, young 19^th man Denis Bartley kicked the final goal for the Saints at their old home.

St Kilda marched out of the Junction in spectacular fashion, and into a new era.

The relocation to Moorabbin spelled the beginning of the Saints’ most successful rein, with consecutive Grand Final appearances culminating in the fabled 1966 Premiership.

GAME DAY INFORMATION: All you need to know for the Pride Game

Players like Ditterich, Howell and Barry Breen were immortalised in the ensuing years, with many other champion Saints forging their own legacies in St Kilda’s next chapter.

Junction Oval remains a significant part of the Club’s history, with the venue the birthplace of St Kilda all the way back in 1873.

The Saints may have called several other places home in the subsequent years, but there’s no doubt Moorabbin is now the lifeblood of the red, white and black. 

ST KILDA  4.9  6.10  10.17  12.18 (90)
GEELONG  1.1  4.10  7.10  11.12 (78)

GOALS: Wallis 2, Oakley 2, Oakley, McHugh, Rowland, Bartley, Smith, Baldock, Morrow, Dowling

BEST: Stewart, Walsh, Howell, Wallis, Baldock, Griffiths, Read, Ditterich