A surging Saints outfit has been unable to knock off the Dolphins at home, with the home side Frankston running out 8-point winners in a thrilling contest at Kinetic Stadium.
In one of the more difficult away trips in footy, St Kilda headed down the freeway to Kinetic Stadium and attempted to spoil the party in front of a raucous home crowd.
The Dolphins jumped out of the blocks quickly, kicking four goals to none in the opening term to put the visiting team on the ropes early.
James Barrat and Angus Hastie, who were both terrific all game, held firm and helped repel the Dolphins attack, as well as VFL debutant Ethan Warburton.
The second term was where the Saints found their rhythm and made the most of their chances that they had found early.
Simply put: It was the beginning of the Jayden Davey show.
Davey kicked two goals in the second, and would go on to kick five for the match in an incredible display.
Bailey McKenzie kicked truly on the stroke of half-time to put the Saints within four goals at the main break, and they only sped up from there.
Davey went back-to-back to begin the third term and cut the margin to 10 points, before trading goals with the Dolphins and leaving it all to play for in the final term.
Frankston defended with all their might before Tyson Nagel snuck through a goal, followed by McKenzie and VFL debutant Daniel Plotkin to make it the narrowest of deficits.
In the end, Frankston's Bailey Lambert kicked true in the dying stages to seal the win for the home side and put an end to a fantastic encounter.
DEBUTANT DELIGHTS
The Saints celebrated four club debutants prior to the game, with three of them never having played in the VFL before. Elwood Peckett (previous VFL experience), Ethan Warburton, Isaac Baldwin and Daniel Plotkin all had their chance to shine on Friday night, and write a great chapter in their young careers.
DAVEY DOMINATION
Less than a week after rolling out of the backline in Round 1, Jayden Davey was electric up forward against the Dolphins and showed exactly why his talent is known to so many. His small forward craft and forward pressure was a standout, as his performance dragged the Saints back into the contest and gave the side a genuine fighting chance in Frankston.
AFL-LISTED SAINTS IMPRESS
With the AFL side playing at Marvel Stadium tomorrow, their was plenty of chance for those vying for a spot to impress under lights. And impress they did.
Angus Hastie was one of the best players on the ground in Frankston, collecting 30 disposals and eight intercepts on his way to arguably his best performance in the VFL to date. James Barrat and Patrick Said were similarly impressive in defence and the midfield respectively, while Isaac Keeler battled hard in the ruck.
VFL: DOLPHINS V SAINTS MATCH CENTRE
MATCH FACTS
DOLPHINS 4.5 6.9 9.11 10.13 (73)
SAINTS 0.1 3.3 6.7 9.11 (65)
GOALS
Dolphins: Mynott, Lambert 3, Hofert 2, O'Leary, Dozzi
Saints: Davey 5, McKenzie 2, Plotkin, Nagel
TOP PLAYER STATS
Hastie – 30 disposals, 9 marks, 8 intercepts
Said – 20 disposals, 10 tackles, 5 intercepts
Davey – 12 disposals, 5 goals
Barrat – 17 disposals, 10 intercepts, 7 marks
Wilson – 20 disposals, 8 intercepts, 3 contested marks
INJURIES
Joey Campigli (shoulder) left the game in the third term and did not return.
NEXT GAME
The Saints play their first game at RSEA Park for the year, taking on the Tigers on Easter Sunday.
