A best-on-ground performance from Alice Burke has guided the Southern Saints into the top-four and to a triumphant 49-point victory against an injury-hit Darebin at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval.          

The Saints led from start to finish in one of their most commanding performances of the season, holding the Falcons goalless after quarter-time before piling on the next eight majors in the 9.3 (58) to 1.3 (9) victory.   

Burke gathered 24 disposals, seven tackles and four clearances in her comprehensive display off half-back, leaving Hannah Stuart and Lucy Burke to hold up both ends of the ground with 32 disposals, nine tackles and a three goals between them. 

Contributions from Alana Woodward (19 disposals, eight tackles, two clearances) and Tayla Kearns (14 disposals, three tackles) also ensured the home side commanded ascendency across the ground. 

Despite sustaining several injuries throughout the game, the Falcons – led St Kilda Development Coach/Player Mentor Nicole Callinan (24 disposals, 10 tackles, five rebound-50s) – were unable to crack the Saints' defensive set-up to any damaging effect.

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Within minutes of the opening bounce, the Saints were doing all the attacking, taking advantage of a fast-break chance as a Winnie Laing (18 disposals, two goals) major sealed the first of the game off the back of a 50-metre penalty.    

The Falcons began to wrestle back some control of the contest in the third term, but struggled to create quality forward-50 entries as the Saints took full advantage of their dominant play.   

The Southern Saints will host Williamstown at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday May 1, with the match beginning at 9:45am.  

SOUTHERN SAINTS  3.0  4.1  5.2  9.3 (58)
DAREBIN FALCONS  1.0  1.1  1.3  1.3 (9) 

GOALS
Southern Saints: Burke 2, Laing 2, Flanagan, Kearns, Ripari, Slater, Stuart
Darebin Falcons: Mifsud

BEST
Southern Saints: A. Burke, Stuart, Woodward, Laing, L. Burke, Black, Kearns, Capsalis
Darebin Falcons: Callinan, Lynch, Plunkett, Buckley, Caddy, Hazlett, Mifsud