Result: St Kilda 16.20 (116) d Western Bulldogs 13.12 (90)
WHAT HAPPENED
There have been few more emotional games than the one between these battling clubs at Waverley Park. It was just days after former Saint champion Trevor Barker died of cancer at just 39 and St Kilda desperately wanted victory as a tribute to a selfless hero who had played 230 games with the club from 1975-89.
The St Kilda banner read: "Farewell to a champion who gave everything and took nothing." It was entirely appropriate as Barker at one stage in his career donated a car he had won to help raise funds for the club.
Emotion might have had the better of the Saints over the first half as they struggled to hold the Bulldogs in a free-flowing game. The Dogs led by 10 points at half-time and St Kilda desperately needed a lift.
The Saints then produced a brilliant seven-goal third quarter to take control, with key forward Stewart Loewe almost unstoppable. He finished with eight goals as the Saints won by 26 points. - Jim Main
MY MEMORIES
Stewart Loewe
"Everyone associated with St Kilda was keyed up for this match as we all had so much respect for Trevor. I was one of the pall-bearers at his funeral just a couple of days earlier and we desperately wanted to send him off with a win.
"Not too much was made about his death before the game, but we certainly were fired up for a big effort and this might have gotten to us early.
"It was fantastic to win and I think someone was looking over my shoulder in helping me kick eight goals that day."
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of
the clubs or the AFL. The Round 3 AFL Record, $4, is available at all grounds
on match day.
