Young gun catches fire amid massive boilover, question marks over Cats: 3-2-1
St Kilda have caused an almighty 18-point boilover against finals fancies Geelong on Saturday night, 16.11 (107) to 14.5 (89).
The Cats were in cruise control in the first half before a scintillating seven-goal third term from the Saints laid the platform for an emphatic come from behind victory.
And when the Cats looked like reasserting their dominance late, Ross Lyon’s side had all the answers, piling on six goals in the final term to secure their tenth win of 2024.
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Defender Callum Wilkie was immense for the Saints down back, racking up a team-high 28 disposals and 15 marks, while ruck Rowan Marshall was dominant amassing 28 touches, ten clearances and 541 metres gained.
Young gun Darcy Wilson was his side’s fire starter with 25 touches and 2.3, while captain Jack Steele booted two goals from 27 disposals and ten tackles.
The 3-2-1…
3 SAINTS CONTINUE TO WREAK HAVOC
They might not be featuring in September, but there’s been plenty to like from the Saints in recent times.
The Saints have won four out of their last five matches and six out of their last ten to give fans an insight into what they could produce under Ross Lyon in 2025.
And shouldn’t fans be excited.
Despite a lacklustre first half, whatever Lyon said at half time worked wonders as the Saints produced a scintillating comeback victory.
“An extraordinary change of game style and momentum… this game has flipped completely on its head,” Fox Footy host Sarah Jones said at the final break.
“It’s so on brand for season 2024, we didn’t see this coming. The Saints moved the ball pretty well in the second quarter but couldn’t close the gap… that third quarter was the best for St Kilda for the year, it was mighty impressive,” St Kilda champion Leigh Montagna replied.
The Saints piled on seven goals in their stunning blitz to put the Cats to the sword as their top four hopes teeter on the edge.
“They got to work, they were able to win some centre bounce and get the ball going forward,” Montagna said.
“They picked apart Geelong’s team defence and were really impressive.
“Their pressure was elite in the third quarter.”
It was a remarkable turnaround for the Saints, who were battered around the coalface in the first term, conceding a whopping five goals from stoppage.
Defender Callum Wilkie was a brick wall in defence racking up a team-high 28 disposals and 15 marks, while ruck Rowan Marshall was dominant amassing 28 touches, ten clearances and 541 metres gained.
Young gun Darcy Wilson was his side’s fire starter with 25 touches and 2.3, while captain Jack Steele booted two goals from 27 disposals and ten tackles.
Livewire small forward Jack Higgins booted three majors for the Saints.
