10 years ago, Ross Lyon’s Saints knocked off Geelong in a modern epic for the ages, often referred to as the “Battle of the Unbeaten”.

It was the first time in VFL/AFL history that two sides had met after starting their respective seasons undefeated for 13 rounds, and the blockbuster nature of the clash was not lost on the players either.


BE THERE: Re-live the game at a special screening this Thursday night

Watch on as a panel including Michael Gardiner, Jason Blake, Luke Ball, Farren Ray and Sam Fisher take you step by step through our Round 14 win over Geelong in 2009.

Tickets are $50 per head, with all money raised going to the St Kilda Past Player Welfare Fund.


“It was certainly as big a build-up as I’ve ever been involved in for a home and away game,” ‘Joey’ Montagna told saints.com.au.

The highly-anticipated duel began in explosive fashion for the Saints, who burst out of the blocks, piling on five early goals to take a 19-point lead into quarter-time.

Led by skipper Nick Riewoldt (3.0) and Justin Koschitzke (2.1), the boys in red, white and black were determined to deliver and prove they were the best side in the competition.

The Saints never gave up the lead in what was a fiercely-fought contest, but the Cats came close, gradually diminishing the Saints’ advantage before drawing level late in the final term.

With just over a minute left on the clock, Luke Ball sent a long, hopeful bomb into the Saints’ forward 50m, knowing that any score would give St Kilda the lead.

Enter Michael Gardiner.

Seemingly from nowhere, the big man launched himself, rising above four Cats to take an almighty grab and set up an opportunity to win the match.

The ruckman slotted coolly from the top of the square, registering his fourth goal for the afternoon before turning and delivering the iconic celebration, sending the St Kilda faithful into a roaring frenzy.

Fittingly, the star St Kilda ruckman also had the last kick of the game after pulling in a crucial contested mark on the wing to seal the win for the Saints in the dying seconds.

The Saints’ miracle year continued, winning a club record of 19 games straight before ultimately succumbing to Geelong in the 2009 Grand Final.

Drawing 54,444 spectators, St Kilda v Geelong in Round 14, 2009 remains the highest-attended AFL match at Etihad Stadium.