St Kilda has cleared its final hurdle before making an historic AFLW debut on Sunday February 9.
The Saints overcame Gold Coast on the Suns’ home turf in Saturday’s official practice match as the countdown to Round 1 continues.
The Saints found their rhythm after a tight first half to run out 22 points winners and board the flight back to Melbourne content with the full dress rehearsal.
Young midfielder Olivia Vesely shone with 20 possessions and a goal to stamp her case for Round 1 selection.
Tilly Lucas Rodd was another standout, controlling the back half with a match-high 17 kicks.
Co-captains Kate Shierlaw (two goals), Cat Phillips (14 disposals) and Rhiannon Watt (20) were all influential, as was former Adelaide premiership player Jess Sedunary (two goals).
Classy young gun Georgia Patrikios registered 14 disposals and four inside 50s to again showcase her skills, while another couple of rookies in Nicola Xenos and Tarni White piled on the pressure with 12 tackles between them.
SA recruit Hannah Priest and former Lion Kate McCarthy played important roles, with McCarthy one of the Saints’ four goal kickers.
The Saints will now begin their final preparations for Round 1 in a fortnight’s time where a huge contingent of St Kilda faithful are expected to converge on RSEA Park, Moorabbin on Sunday February 9.
