Round 17 – Geelong v St Kilda: Good efforts but poor performing at 3rd and 4th quarters

Geelong v St Kilda
Saturday, 13 July 2019
7:25 pm
Kardinia Park, Geelong

I had predicted that Saints would face a heavy loss against the team who were on the top of the ladder. My St Kilda supporting mates had similar thoughts as discussed on Saturday or earlier.

Media speculations were spread on Friday that Alan Richardson would be sacked by the footy club on Sunday if Saints lost heavily on Saturday.

At my extraordinary work on Friday working from midday to 5 pm and then back at 9 pm until closure, I asked myself, “Will Richo stay at St Kilda or be sacked on Sunday?”

I had thought the latter to be honest. From discussions with my mates, the majority of thoughts was being hard to see.

Miserable weather due to the rainy season and my worries of the loss made my walking to a Starbucks cafe hard and slow.

Settling down the table with iced latte, I opened the Watch AFL app with the coffee giant’s wifi.

After the first bounce, Geelong took footy towards their forward line and a rush behind was scored at 23 seconds. Within two minutes, Tim Kelly scored a goal.

I sensed my worry would become reality and Alan Richardson would coach his last game on that night.

But Bruce took a mark inside 50 and booted a goal. He demonstrated great skills and brings us positively.

However Guthrie answered two minutes later and it was the second goal for Cats from intercept.

Then Ben Long took a mark on the boundary inside 50. The angle was good for him to do a set shot. He’s done a job as a tribute to his late grandfather.

After Long’s goal, we just let Cats to dominate and once again I sensed my boys repeated what we had been doing for seasons.

But Saints stood up at second quarter showing hard work and efforts.

Just coming back from an injury, Lonie ended his goal draught as the first goal at second quarter. Saints fans had awaited his skills and talents.

Bruce showed accuracies in scoring goals and Marshall excelled great skills not only tapping but also in goal kicking. Young ruckman’s goal put us in front.

Long followed and St Kilda kicked four consecutive goals.

Afterwards, tide has changed and eventually Milers answered at 23 minutes.

Saints led by two points at the main break.

I hoped Saints kept playing like second quarter, but our performances were opposed my hopes.

We showed efforts, but couldn’t put much pressures on Geelong. Distinct between the top and the 15th on the ladder was shown at third quarter.

Geelong scored three goals and a behind while we had a goalless quarter (four behinds).

Then at 12 minutes of the last quarter, Geelong started ball passes in their back pocket. Lonie tackled an opponent, grabbed footy and handpassed Acres. He quickly responded kicking towards goal posts even he had an opponent player in front.

Acres brought us six points. What a goal! His fearless attitudes should be adopted in my play. Just do it!!

My hope bouncing back came up, but Geelong started snarling. After Acres’ brilliant goal, we managed to score only one goal by the gun Bruce.

Third and fourth quarters were reflected on the reality of the St Kilda Football Club.

The game ended with a 27-point loss. Loss is loss, but I am not disappointed much as had thought we would lose heavily.

Alan Richardson is saved now, I think. But I can’t think he will be in charge of the Saints next year.

Before the match, I remembered how Bulldogs succeeded to win their flag in 2016.

Two years earlier, then captain Ryan Griffin left the club for GWS and Brendon McCartney resigned the coaching job.

Then Luke Beveridge came in as a coach and Bob Murphy was appointed as a skipper.

They worked together well and brought Whitten Oval the premiership cup a year later.

If one of them was not there, the Bulldogs wouldn’t win the flag.

St Kilda need to collaborate well between coaches and leadership group/players. Finding the right match is required for the success, I believe.

Sadly umpiring is an issue at St Kilda games and I find inconsistent too. Richo expresses the issue at the post match press conference and I am happy to hear the club is dealing with the umpiring department.

Boys well done, but I want you guys to show more efforts and win over the Bulldogs at our favourite venue of Marvel Stadium next weekend.

 

GEELONG 4.4 5.7 8.8 12.12 (84)
ST KILDA 2.2 6.3 6.7 8.9 (57)

GOALS
Geelong: Guthrie 2, Ratugolea 2, Ablett 2, Dangerfield, Duncan, Kelly, Miers, Atkins, Hawkins
St Kilda: Bruce 3, Long 2, Marshall, Lonie, Acres

BEST
Geelong: Dangerfield, Duncan, Miers, Selwood, Stewart, Guthrie
St Kilda: Marshall, Clark, Dunstan, Steele, Gresham, Bruce

OUR VOTES
3. Marshall (STK); 2. Dangerfield (GEE); 1. Bruce (STK)

Umpires: Donlon, Fisher, O’Gorman

Official crowd: 24,035

 

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About Yoshihiro Imagawa

Love, passion and pride are seen on the footy that is the biggest part of my life. 1. St Kilda Club member: I am a passionate and crazy Sainter. Just hope we will win the second flag soon, especially after Dogs and Tigers having ended long premiership draughts. 2. The Osaka Dingoes Player and Public Relations Officer: Player number 44 that I chose to honour Stephen Milne with my wish being like a small forward like him. Lenny Hayes' hardworking attitudes are adopted on my trainings and practices. Nick Riewoldt's great plays are in my player audiobook too. 3. Writing: Here on the Almanac and also on the World Footy News. My skills utilise on great footy websites.

Comments

  1. andy frame says

    You definitely had the Cats rattled for a while there Yoshi. At half-time, I was certainly not comfortable and worried that the Saints were on course for a major upset. We don’t lose many down at Geelong. :-)
    I’m not sure getting rid of Richardson is the right thing to do. Who would the Saints get to replace him?
    On the other hand, there’s some promising young players in that Saints side, so maybe a new man in charge will be able to take them that next step up the ladder. Good luck for the rest of the season!

  2. Cheers Andy!

    For the last two games, Brett Ratten is coaching well so he should be appointed as a permanent senior coach.

    I wished we could smash Geelong, but your Cats were far better…

    You guys have good players and are balanced. I reckon Geelong win the flag this year…

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