Round 19 – St Kilda v Melbourne: Win with half of margin I had predicted

St Kilda Saints versus Melbourne Demons
Saturday, 27 July 2019
7:25 pm
Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

 

We won over the Western Bulldogs last week by 29 points and were facing Demons who were behind on the ladder to us or the Doggies. So I predicted Saints winning by 40 points.

 

It was the last training day before the one-month summer break at the Osaka Dingoes AFL Club. Wet conditions, especially water on the earth struggle with kicking for me.

 

I don’t think I trained as hard as possible. It was not as player’s responsibility.

 

After the training, we went to a pizza izakaya for beer and pizza.

 

Matt set up his iPad to watch the professional game, even if I am the only one Sainter at the footy club.

 

Unfortunately Saints were two goals behind at the time we started watching live.

 

Josh Bruce demonstrated accurate kicking skills and scored a goal and Ben Long showed efforts to follow. Long’s goal brought us one-point lead.

 

But then the game was played as I had seen much this season. Bad ball uses and allowing opposition to turn over.

 

My frustration came up and I threw my St Kilda cap onto the floor. I was told that I carried out the club’s symbol as wearing club’s polo shirt and couldn’t behave badly.

 

I admit that I am supporting St Kilda with passions and crazily.

 

Second quarter was intense and St Kilda couldn’t use opportunities to take a lead. Even Billings, Membrey or Long was not able to finish the top job.

 

However Bruce kept accurate goal kicking and Langlands kicked his second AFL goal.

 

Saints trailled three points at half time. I hoped St Kilda would bounce back.

 

Then Membrey ran between two Melbourne players in our goal square and kicked soccer style goal. His goal put Saints in front.

 

Petracca answered and Dees scored two behinds. Saints only led by a point.

 

Long kicked in open space and a handpass was made. Footy was picked by Membrey and kicked a goal easily. It was one of his gifts highlighted on the official club App.

 

Membrey kicked one more goal at third quarter and Bruce followed to hit his third goal of the day. Also acting captain Ross kicked his second goal.

 

Saints went on the last break at a four-point lead.

 

Even once leading was handed back to Demons, we played better footy at last quarter. More attacking and accurate kicks were done.

 

The biggest highlight at last quarter was: Newnes’ kick was about taken a mark by Hind. But the young Saint reacted his drop off by picking footy and kicked a goal.

 

His action (bouncing back and backing himself) is what I should do on footy field.

 

The game was played against my expectation, but we won by 19 points. I was happy singing “Oh when the Saints go marching in” at the pizza izakaya.

 

I wish I could bounce back in my daily life, like what Saints have done at the game…

 

 

ST KILDA 3.2 5.7 10.10 15.14 (104)
MELBOURNE 5.3 6.4 10.6 13.7 (85)

 

GOALS
St Kilda: Bruce 4, Membrey 3, Ross 2, Long 2, Langlands, Lonie, Hind, Billings
Melbourne: Petracca 3, Fritsch 2, Harmes 2, Lewis, Smith, C Wagner, Petty, Oliver, Neal-Bullen

 

BEST
St Kilda: Ross, Bruce, Gresham, Sinclair, Membrey, Wilkie
Melbourne: Gawn, Oliver, Harmes, Petracca, Lever, Frost

 

OUR VOTES
3. Ross (STK); 2. Membrey (STK); 1. Petracca (MEL)

 

Umpires: Stevic, Hay, Howorth

 

Official crowd: 22,854

 

 

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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. Any win is a good win, Yoshi!

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