The Saints have extended their win-streak to four on the bounce with a spirited three-point victory at Tramway Oval on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
It was three consecutive last quarter goals in the final term that got the Saints over the line, triumphing 16.14 (110) to 17.5 (107) over Sydney.
The Saints ventured north to take on the Swans, looking to potentially jump into the top 10 after a fantastic last month of football.
The contest was hot from the outset, with the Saints dominating the territory battle. It didn’t take long for the Saints to get on the scoreboard, with Isaac Keeler getting St Kilda underway in just a couple of minutes. Tobie Travaglia (25 disposals, 6 clearances, 11 tackles) dominated the contest and was the catalyst for the Saints to win the early battle with free-flowing football.
Some strong inside forward 50 conversions lead to Jayden Davey seizing his moments, slotting through two majors in the term in quick succession. A late goal from Hugh Boxshall (21 disposals, 6 tackles) and Ned Maginness pushed the lead out to 20 points heading into the first change.
The Swans immediately responded with the first 4 goals of the second term. After early inaccuracy from the Saints, Jonah Campigli stopped the rot of goals with his first.
That goal led to a spark from the Saints, as Maginness connected for his second and Charlie Banfield letting one fly immediately thereafter to extend the margin out to 17 points. Two late Swans goals trimmed the lead to just five points heading into the main change.
St Kilda commenced the second half positively, with some Alex Dodson magic pushing the lead out again to double digits. Bailey McKenzie claimed his first for the afternoon shortly thereafter as the Saints looked to break the game open with haste.
It was a five-goal flurry from the Swans that provided them their first lead for the afternoon as a see-sawing affair was on the cards for the final term. The Saints had their chances late in the third to bring the contest back on their terms, however poor conversions in front of the sticks proved costly in attempting to wrestle the lead heading into the final stanza.
It was worrisome signs for the Saints as an early Swans goal put St Kilda on the back foot to begin the final term. The moment arised for Paddy Dow (30 disposals, 8 clearances) to trim the deficit and he took it with both hands to steady the ship.
After only kicking one behind up until three quarter time, the Swans begun to feel the Saints’ heat and missed some looks to wrestle the lead back. The contest intensified once again as Dan Butler (22 disposals, 4 clearances) kicked the sealer to hang on and win a VFL classic away from home.
The Saints will travel home and play North Melbourne at Arden Street Oval next Sunday.
MATCH FACTS:
ST KILDA: 6.2 9.6 13.10 16.14 (110)
SYDNEY: 3.0 9.1 15.1 17.5 (107)
GOALS:
ST KILDA: Campigli 3, Maginness 2, Davey 2, Richardson, McKenzie, Keeler, Henry, Dow, Dodson, Butler, Boxshall, Banfield
SYDNEY: Ryan 5, Phillipou 3, Mellis 3, Sutton 2, Podmore Taylor, Harbour, Hamling, Cootee,
