Sunday saw the Saints take on the Magpies in the VWFL in a do-or-die fixture for the red, white and black.

The highly-fancied Collingwood came into the match undefeated all season, while the third-placed Saints needed a win to have any chance of finishing in the top two and securing a grand final berth.

Both sides exploded out of the blocks, as each scored two goals within the first five minutes.

The second quarter continued in the same vein, and after trading multiple goals, the two sides were locked at 28-apiece at half-time.

Captain Marcus Sander urged his team to lift their defensive efforts in the second half, acutely aware the Magpies’ ability to score quickly and often.

Christy Arulnesathasan answered the captain's call, his many intercept marks dominating proceedings in the back third to keep the Saints in the contest.

Pat McKay and Sander continued to work well as a unit up forward, providing the midfield with plenty of options.


Marcus Sander has led the Saints this year.

The scores appeared to be even again at 46-46 at the final break, but after much discussion between officials, they were adjusted to see the Magpies take a 49-43 lead into the final quarter.

The Magpies put the pressure on early with a quick goal but started to slow the play down with five minutes to play.

With two more intercept marks by defenders Ryan Smith and C. Arulnesathasan, the Saints were able to absorb the Magpies’ substantial pressure, narrowly missing two scoring opportunities in the process.

Some clever ball movement through the centre set Sander up for the shot, whose long-range effort soared through hands on the line.

Arguments ensued, but with the goal review system unavailable in the VWFL, pleas for a touched ball on the line fell on deaf ears, much to the Magpies’ dismay.

The Saints were back to within five points with time against them, and with Collingwood seemingly rattled, arguing with both umpires and each other, the Saints launched one final attack.

The forwards and midfielders worked hard to free up McKay within scoring range, and with just 45 seconds left, he put the Saints in front by a solitary point.

The Saints couldn’t kill the ball at the ensuing centre ball-up, and the last touch rule came into play, giving the Magpies one last roll of the dice.

A Collingwood forward managed to break free, and after a mark on the siren, a long-range shot left the scoreboard tied at 57-apiece – the first draw in VWFL history.