By Matt Burgan 1:02 AM Sat 19 Sep, 2009
Saint Nick Dal Santo is tackled by Bulldog Tim Callan in the preliminary final
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ST KILDA midfielder Nick Dal Santo never thought his side was far behind the eight ball, despite a goalless first term against the Western Bulldogs in Friday night's preliminary final win at the MCG.
Dal Santo, who kicked a beautiful goal from the pocket to register St Kilda's first major early in the second quarter, said he felt his team was right in the contest, despite a lack of scoreboard pressure.
"I didn't think we were in that much trouble," he said.
"I know the scoreboard, we were behind a little bit, but I felt we were moving the ball well and going forward we were making some poor decisions.
"But I didn't think that we were under extreme pressure – we probably got off the hook a little bit … but that goal [I kicked], I don't do that very often, so it maybe got the ball rolling a little bit."
Dal Santo said he couldn't believe it when skipper Nick Riewoldt toe-poked the match-winner with less than 90 seconds to play.
"Oh God, I was thrilled. It might've been me that kicked it in from the boundary line to the top of the square and 'Rooey' stuck the toe in," he said.
"You just can't get too carried away or think you're comfortable at any stage. Goals can happen at any stage and the way they moved the ball, they could've kicked a goal in five seconds anyway.
"It was great that we kicked it, but we still had a little bit of work to do – there was a minute and a half to go."
Dal Santo said reaching the grand final was an incredible feeling after tasting preliminary final defeats in 2004-05 and 2008.
"It's a fantastic night. There has been a lot of talk during the week about us not making the grand final in past years, but that's in the past and we have to play this year on its merits," he said.
"But it's great to that we were able to get there tonight."
for saints.com.au
