St Kilda has claimed back-to-back VFL wins and its first at RSEA Park this season, registering a 48-point victory over the Casey Demons on Saturday.
It was seven unanswered goals in the first quarter that set up a fantastic win for the Saints, prevailing 15.15 (105) to 8.9 (57) to back up their win over Sandringham last week.
MATCH CENTRE: All the Saints' player stats v Casey
The Saints were ready to rock and roll back on home turf, as Jayden Davey kicked St Kilda’s first major in the opening minute with a magnificent snap on his left foot to get the home fans up early.
Paddy Dow (18 disposals, 11 contested possessions) was prolific early, registering 10 disposals and two clearances in the first quarter as the Saints began to dominate the clearance battle and register multiple forward-50 entries.
St Kilda was able to successfully convert on these looks, with skipper Billy McGee Galimberti kicking a fantastic captain’s goal late from long range to mark seven consecutive goals in the opening stanza for the Saints to have a 43-point lead at the first break.
After the first break, the intensity lifted from Casey, with the Demons responding quickly with two early goals.
Billy Richardson stood up against the flow of play, however, kicking a superb goal to bring the contest back on the Saints’ terms.
After a back-and-forth encounter in the second term, young star Ned Maginness picked up where he left off last week and banked his first major of the game.
After stretching the deficit out to 42 points, the Demons wrestled the margin back to just 29 points with two late goals heading into the main break.
Despite a desire from Casey to break the game open after the main break, the Saints refused to give in.
Second-gamer Ethan Phillips (26 disposals, 16 marks) was integral in stopping the Demons’ attack, as the backs worked well to transition the ball forward.
Blake Chambers (26 disposals, one goal) delivered an incredible running snap along the deck to give the Saints some further breathing room.
Veteran Mason Wood (26 disposals, three goals, nine marks) was instrumental for the Saints across the ground, kicking the first of his three majors to extend the Saints' lead to a game-high 47 points.
Wood continued his brilliance, kicking the Saints’ opening goal in the final stanza, as the team remained in cruise control until the final siren.
The Saints will return to RSEA Park after the bye to take on the Box Hill Hawks on Saturday May 30.
MATCH FACTS:
ST KILDA: 7.4 10.5 13.11 15.15 (105)
CASEY: 0.3 5.6 6.6 8.9 (57)
GOALS
ST KILDA: Wood 3, Richardson 2, Maginness 2, Davey 2, Nagel, Mcgee Galimberti, Keeler, Dow, Chambers, Behnk
CASEY: Matthews 2, Kentfield 2, Henderson 2, Craven 2
