Fresh off the bye and a big win over the Blues, St Kilda will look to get the second half of 2016 off to an ideal start against Geelong at Etihad Stadium. There were storylines aplenty last time these two met, with history made and the game ending in a draw.

St Kilda vs Geelong
Round 21 - August 22, 2015

Summary

It was a significant evening for the AFL, with Jason Holmes becoming the first American to make his senior debut. He looked right at home, dazzling Saints fans with his freakish athleticism.

St Kilda jumped out of the blocks with the first four goals – two via small forward Darren Minchington. Typical of how the contest would play out, Geelong slashed the Saints’ early lead late in the opening term.

Second quarter was a carbon copy of the first. St Kilda raced ahead, only for Geelong to work their way back and level proceedings at half time.

The contest was building towards a dramatic climax and with the Cats leading by just seven points at three-quarter time, all was on the line.

St Kilda dominated the scoring shots, but will rue critical misses at vital moments. None more so than Shane Savage, whose snap on goal to win the game just missed after it looked as if Cats youngster Nakia Cockatoo had sealed victory.  After 120 minutes, neither side could be separated and 2015 had its second draw.

Player Performances

It was a typical day at the office for Nick Riewoldt, who finished with 22 disposals, 10 marks and a goal. Jack Steven led St Kilda’s disposal count with 26 touches and seven tackles, while Seb Ross showed glimpses of what was to come in 2016 with 22 disposals and six tackles.

For Geelong, Steven Motlop starred with 33 disposals and eight tackles, with former Cat Steve Johnson among the goals with four to go with 18 touches and nine marks.

Stats that mattered

St Kilda dominated centre clearances 43-30 and hit-outs 54-32, a performance the Saints will need to replicate given the form of dynamic duo Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood. 

Who was missing?

15 players who featured for St Kilda in last year’s clash suited up in the win over Carlton. Dylan Roberton (ankle), Blake Acre (quad), David Armitage (shoulder) and Nathan Wright (finger) all played against the Blues in round 12, but missed the clash with Geelong.

David Armitage will help ease Geelong’s midfield dominance, while Sam Fisher will be sorely missed against a tall Cats forward line featuring the likes of Shane Kersten, Rhys Stanley and Shane Kersten.

Geelong have the luxury of adding superstar Patrick Dangerfield, Zac Smith and Lachie Henderson – all key off-season acquisitions for the Cats. While Daniel Menzel, who didn’t play last time these two met, looks reborn after overcoming four ACL injuries. 

What the coaches said?

“For it to be an arm-wrestle all day – even after such a promising start – for the guys not to wilt in any way and just keep coming and keep coming … there was a lot of positives, there's no doubt about that,” – St Kilda coach Alan Richardson (August 22, 2015)

"It was poor, but what a great opportunity to learn. There were some players in our team, young and old, who will have learnt a lesson already and we'll get the opportunity to go through it during the week," – Geelong coach Chris Scott (August 22, 2015)

ST KILDA   5.4   8.7   11.9   14.13 (97)
GEELONG   5.1   9.2   13.4    15.7 (97) 

GOALS
St Kilda: Bruce 3, Minchington 3, Hickey 2, Gilbert 2, Membrey, Savage, Riewoldt, Newnes
Geelong: Johnson 4, Hawkins 3, Vardy 2, Mackie, Taylor, Gregson, Guthrie, Motlop

BEST 
St Kilda: Steven, Riewoldt, Gilbert, Newnes, Ross, Bruce, Minchington, Fisher
Geelong: Motlop, Johnson, Guthrie, Hawkins, Enright, Taylor 

Limited Edition History Book: Celebrating 50 Years 1966-2016 The Archives Edition