1. Did Roo con the umpire into giving a certain goal?
With less than seven minutes left on the clock and just four points separating the sides, Saint Nick Riewoldt showed the kind of nous he’s gained over 330 matches to make certainty of a Tim Membrey major. In an endeavour to return the ball to its marker who stood 45m out from goal, six-game defender Griffin Logue saw Riewoldt looking at him with his arms outstretched and lobbed the Sherrin in his direction. The Saints veteran then swayed away from the ball – knowing Logue was unaware of whose kick it should be – and appealed to umpire Curtis Deboy, who was facing the other way. Deboy paid the 50m penalty for not getting the ball back on the full and to the right player, and St Kilda hit the front.
A 50 metre penalty was given for this incident. #AFLFreoSaints pic.twitter.com/r5KGi5em84
— AFL (@AFL) July 2, 2017
2. The Saints break their interstate hoodoo
In what could be their last match at Domain Stadium – barring a possible finals match-up in Perth – the Saints hoped to buck the recent trend of bad form in WA and on the road. Before round 15, St Kilda had lost 11 of its last 12 matches playing interstate, and its last six at the Perth venue. The club’s most recent win at Subiaco came in 2011 against Fremantle, when Ross Lyon was at the helm. On Sunday, Alan Richardson’s men made a good fist of their opportunity, clawing back a 16-point quarter-time deficit to draw level 15 minutes into the third. The Saints took the lead early in the final term when Tim Membrey converted a set shot, and grinded it out on the back of industrious efforts from Seb Ross (33 disposals), Kobe Stevens (27 disposals, seven tackles) and Jack Steele (15 disposals, 17 tackles). Membrey’s strong hands were crucial in a tense final quarter, while Jake Carlise read the ball better than almost anybody on the ground as an intercept defender and snuck forward for two goals.
Unbelievable effort from Jade Gresham. That's a pearler from the electric Saint. #AFLFreoSaints pic.twitter.com/KIr8egRvwP
— AFL (@AFL) July 2, 2017
3. Walters makes amends
Michael Walters admitted pre-game to having trouble putting last week’s heartbreaking loss to Geelong from his mind, after missing a late shot to snatch the victory. His response? A phenomenal best-on-ground performance, sealed with two clutch final-quarter goals that could’ve proven the difference. Walters was everywhere, gathering 32 disposals to go with a career-best six-goal bag. The 26-year-old was typically creative with his disposal, found space to take six marks and applied manic pressure when inside 50. That he finds himself on the losing side is almost cruel, but the Fremantle forward can hold his head high.
WATCH: Walters phenomenal with six
4. Darcy steps up again
With the return of Aaron Sandilands from a hamstring injury, many were surprised to see 19-year-old big man Sean Darcy hold his place despite an impressive 40 hit-out, 14-disposal debut against the Cats last week. Weighing in at a combined total of 229kg, questions surrounded the pair’s agility but after 20 minutes of the first term, the combination seemed to be working well with Sandilands resting forward. However, the veteran Docker re-aggravated his right hamstring, leaving Darcy to assume senior rucking duties. The 19-year-old’s efforts cannot be understated. Darcy amassed 16 disposals, 33 hit-outs, seven tackles, kicked his first career goal – a second quarter left-foot snap from 40m out – and out-muscled his more experienced opponent Billy Longer. The 111kg big man also laid several crunching tackles and gained important meterage kicking from stoppages.
Aaron Sandilands injured his hamstring in the first quarter in his return game. #AFLFreoSaints pic.twitter.com/nht7kyLhDh
— AFL (@AFL) July 2, 2017
5. Does Cam McCarthy have a case to answer?
In a week when the spotlight was on protecting the head, the Match Review Panel may be interested in assessing Fremantle forward Cam McCarthy’s tackle on Saints defender Sam Gilbert. With the ball in dispute 23 minutes into the third quarter, Gilbert gathered the ball in defence and looked to quickly offload before McCarthy pinned the arms and drove the 30-year-old’s head into the turf. Gilbert appeared to be unconscious and was later taken from the ground on a motorised stretcher. St Kilda midfielder Jack Steven might also be in strife after he was reported for an off-the-ball hit on Hayden Ballantyne.
Sam Gilbert was taken off on a stretcher after this tackle. #AFLFreoSaints pic.twitter.com/kIkUMl9yXt
— AFL (@AFL) July 2, 2017
