St Kilda has registered its third consecutive VFL win back at home, recording a 34-point victory at RSEA Park on Saturday afternoon.
It was four-straight goals in the last quarter that cemented the win for the Saints, triumphing 14.8 (92) to 9.4 (58) over Box Hill.
After a week off, the Saints came back to RSEA Park and searched to claim their third on the bounce. In contrast, coming into the fixture, the Hawks looked to notch up their sixth consecutive win.
It was immediately a back-and-forth contest, which saw Jayden Davey kick a fantastic running snap goal to ignite the Saints. A great passage of play saw Jonah Campigli kick his first major just before the siren ended to give St Kilda a seven-point lead in the opening stanza.
The Hawks responded early in the second term and looked to get themselves right back in the hunt. However, Paddy Dow (22 disposals) rose to the occasion and slotted his first major of the afternoon, while providing some great dash and poise with ball in hand. It was a scrappy end to the quarter, with both sides failing to convert on some chances in front of goal heading into the main break.
After the break, mid-season draftee Campbell Lake (11 disposals) booted his first major in Saints colours on debut, which was immediately supported by Jonah Campigli as he notched up his second goal of the fixture.
A touch of class from Ned Maginness just two minutes later marked not only his second goal for the contest but also a third-consecutive goal to the Saints. Now leading by a game-high 28-point margin, the Hawks did not give in, responding with dare in quick time. Box Hill surged to kick the next four majors of the contest and bring them right back in the hunt. A late goal from Jack Behnk stretched the lead back out to 11-points heading into the final change.
It was an incredible final term from the Saints, where they were determined to not let the Hawks come back into the contest again. Ned Maginness stamped his authority in the final term, kicking his third for the game to push out the Saints’ lead to 17-points.
Maginness worked his magic again in front of the sticks to secure four majors for the game in a stellar performance. Campbell Lake and Jonah Campagli joined in the spoils late in the quarter, adding another goal to their tally as the siren sounded.
The Saints were able to keep the Hawks to just one-point in that term to mark a statement 34-point win, with the Hawks sitting in third position coming into the contest.
The Saints will travel interstate next week to take on the Swans next Sunday at Tramway Oval.
MATCH FACTS:
ST KILDA: 4.3 6.6 10.8 14.8 (92)
BOX HILL: 3.2 5.2 9.3 9.4 (58)
GOALS
ST KILDA: Maginness 4, Campigli 3, Lake 2, Richardson, Dow, Davey, Chambers, Behnk
BOX HILL: McLaughlin 3, Anderson 2, McCabe, Maginness, Greeves, Dalton
