The Southern Saints have notched up its fourth win of the 2021 VFLW Season, holding off a hungry Hawthorn outfit at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints fired away to a 20-point lead with three unanswered majors inside the opening term, before the Hawks regained control with three of their own in the ensuing quarter.
With just 11 points separating the two sides at the final change, Dale Robinson's side steeled when the game was on the line to bank the 6.8 (48) to 4.8 (32) win.
Two quick-fire majors from Tara Bohanna in the final term was enough to stave off the fast-finishing Hawks, who registered the last six scores of the game.
Alice Burke (21 disposals, five tackles), Tahlia Meyer (13 disposals) and Claudia Whitfort (19 disposals, five tackles, one goal) led the midfield charge, with the latter putting through her first goal in the opening minute of the game.
St Kilda co-captain Hannah Priest was sturdy in her debut outing with 16 disposals and a game-high six marks, while Renee Saulitis (14 disposals, one goal) chimed in at the right times on the scoreboard.
It wasn't all smooth sailing however, with Deanna Jolliffe having to be stretchered off the ground after collecting 10 touches for the match.
Sunday's win means the Saints now find themselves a game clear of the seventh-placed placed North Melbourne, and with five rounds left in the season, will be looking to secure a place in the finals.
The Southern Saints will travel to ETU Stadium to battle the second-placed Port Melbourne next Saturday.
SOUTHERN SAINTS 3.4 3.5 4.8 6.9 (48)
HAWTHORN 0.2 3.2 3.3 4.8 (32)
GOALS
Southern Saints: Bohanna 2, Saulitis, Whitfort, Harris, Kearns
Hawthorn: Gilder 2, Stratton, O-Malley
BEST
Southern Saints: Burke, Whitfort, Bohanna, Priest, Saulitis, Meyer, Hynes, Bertuna
Hawthorn: Hutchins, Drennan, Brown, Gilder, Bolding, Luke
