St Kilda v GWS
Sunday 14th June, 3:15pm
Marvel Stadium
Pre-game thoughts
The in this week is Dan (Teen Wolf) Butler with Phillipou having been dropped after a shocker last week. He’s a serious talent but currently looks cumbersome so a week’s break won’t hurt him.
GWS have welcomed the return of Hogan and Angwin while the injured Coniglio joins the omitted Gruzewski on the sidelines.
The Saints were stiff last week v the Swans. It was a much improved effort and the boys will need to bring that and more if they are to get over a rejuvenated GWS. Saints by 28 points.
There was an enormous murder of crows flying inside the confines of Ballarat Railway Station today upon arrival, almost swooping the public magpie-like. I hope this isn’t an omen for today.
This is a must win scenario for the Saints today. Even North are ahead of us on the ladder currently.
Filled up on tucker at the DFO then took the time to abuse a group of Neo-Nazis who were somehow allowed to spew their garbage in public. As Jake Blues said: ‘I hate Illinois Nazis.’
First Quarter
Poor crowd. Can hear the players like a local game. Gothard goals. Brilliant kick into the centre by Oliver ends up with a Stringer goal. Another centre bounce clearance and Cadman gets a free at 50m and goals. Daniels running amok. TDK kicks a goal from a forward scramble. Sharman takes a screamer and misses from 30m out. Silvagni solid as usual. Sharman front and centre at 50m and nails it on the run. Sharman contested mark again and goals from 40m. Word spreads the Socceroos have gone two goals up. Butler kicks a kung-fu goal. Saints lifting. Saint by two points at the break.
It took St Kilda three goals from GWS to wake up. From there on the effort was good but our skills aren’t as polished as the best teams. We are still the kings of the turnover.
Second Quarter
Good transition from defence from St Kilda and Ryan goals. Brilliant goal from Greene. He’s welcome at the Saints next year, but we’re broke. Ryan kicks a superb goal from 45m after some clean defensive transition. Stringer kicks an instinctive and difficult goal. Ryan continues to star and kicks his third. More good forward pressure from the Saints and Hall goals. Worm burner from Greene hits Gothard who goals. Saints turnover and Cadman kicks a ripper from the boundary 50m out. Tide suddenly turns. St Kilda by a point at halftime.
In classic Saints fashion the boys got us jumping out of our seats with the pressure and tackling then it stopped. GWS are one of the best sides at chaining through the corridor and it turned the game in the last 10 minutes.
Third Quarter
A good centre clearance from Garcia and Ryan kicks a karate goal on the line. Speedy transition from defence by GWS and Stringer goals after the Saints dominate inside 50 entries. Never thought I’d see Wilkie have a poor game but lightning has struck today. Nas kicks an absolute cracker from 60m. St Kilda by eight points at the last break.
Hard fought term. Garcia and Windhager have quelled Oliver and Callaghan’s influence in the midfield. An intriguing final quarter to come.
Final Quarter
Another St Kilda mistake and Cadman takes full advantage. A piece of Nas brilliance turns into a goal for Sharman. Ryan kicks a superb second effort goal, his fifth. Butler stuffs up and the rebound goes the length of the ground where Greene goals. Nas to Ryan again. Lovely contested mark and he kicks his sixth. Superb 55m goal from Cadman. GWS won’t go away. Saints seven points up. Mark to Hogan and goal. One point up. Excellent clearance from Nas with McCrae and Sharman kicks a beauty from 50. Clutch effort from Owens. Tense now. Blow the goddamn siren! Saints by eight points and it’s time to breathe.
A gutsy effort from The Saints and they deserved this win. The GWS are still highly dangerous. They are as quick a side as I’ve seen this year and they have plenty of talent. The tsunami is a real thing and it’s interesting to see how prepared the defenders are to execute it. A terrific team effort only hampered by some average skills at times. Having said that the intent was always positive. Another big test next week against an angry Dogs team. Go Saints!
Malarkey Votes.
3 – L. Ryan
2- N. Wanganeen-Milera
1- J. Silvagni
ST KILDA 4.3 8.4 10.10 14.12 (96)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 4.1 8.3 9.8 13.10 (88)
GOALS
St Kilda: Ryan 6, Sharman 4, Wanganeen-Milera, Butler, Hall, De Koning
Greater Western Sydney: Cadman 4, Stringer 3, Greene, Gothard 2, Hogan, Bedford
BEST
St Kilda: Wanganeen-Milera, Wilkie, Ryan, Wilson, Garcia
Greater Western Sydney: Oliver, Cadman, Bedford, Daniels, Greene, Taylor
Crowd: 17,74
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Former army aircraft mechanic, sales manager, VFA footballer and coach. Now mental health worker and blogger. Lifelong St Kilda FC tragic and father to 2 x girls.
I’d like a breakdown of st. Kilda’s handballing. I mean how many times did they handball to an opponent, how many times to a teammate under pressure? Certainly, in the second and third terms their poor use of handball kept their opponents in the game.
Glen!