Saints into the GF

ST KILDA is into its first grand final in 12 years, with captain Nick Riewoldt booting his side past the Western Bulldogs for a seven-point victory in Friday night's thrilling preliminary final at the MCG.

In an absorbing and draining match, Riewoldt's two final-quarter goals – the Saints' only scores for the term – proved the difference as they held on to win 9.6 (60) to 7.11 (53).

The Saints now move to the final stage and will hope to topple Geelong or Collingwood for their first premiership since 1966, while it's another season over for the Bulldogs after their second successive loss at the last hurdle.

It was going to prove a heartbreaker for whichever side failed but no one could have predicted the drama and tension the struggle would produce.

After three quarters of gripping, low-scoring football, it came down to 30 minutes for both sides.

The Saints had trailed for the entire first half but a pulsating third term – which started in slightly controversial fashion with Riewoldt receiving what appeared to be a questionable free kick in front of goal – saw them hit the front.

With just 13 goals kicked to three-quarter time, the last term came down to who was brave enough to take the game on and, crucially, who could make the most of their opportunities.

And that ended up being Riewoldt and his Saints.

Bulldogs skipper Brad Johnson kicked the only other goal, putting his side in front five minutes in when he marked a long ball from the inspired Ryan Griffen.

For a long time, it looked like it might be enough for the Dogs to claim a famous victory.

But Riewoldt took a towering mark with seven minutes remaining to reclaim the lead.

The Bulldogs continued to attack and large periods of the final term were spent inside their forward 50 zone. Daniel Giansiracusa found his side's best opening, only for his shot to sail wide.

In what became a game of territory the Saints eventually forced the ball forward and with around 75 second left to play, Riewoldt soccered through the sealer.

Though his four goals were the difference, midfielders Lenny Hayes (34 possessions) and Nick Dal Santo (30) were also prominent.

The Bulldogs, devastated on the field at the final siren, had plenty of good players but the combination couldn't steer them over the line.

Griffen (28 touches) and Matthew Boyd (26) were their most prolific, while defenders Jarrod Harbrow, Lindsay Gilbee and Brian Lake were also impressive.

It was evident from the first bounce that the Bulldogs didn't care for past records, as despite the Saints having comfortably won both encounters this season Rodney Eade's men did all the running.

The respective backlines dominated the possession count in the opening half as both sides struggled for scoring chances, although the Bulldogs should have made the Saints pay on a few occasions.

For St Kilda, the ball hardly ventured forward of the centre in the opening term and they were held goalless for a quarter for the first time since their clash with Richmond in round 13.

Despite their dominance, the Dogs only led by 15 points and it seemed they might have blown their best chance to put the minor premier away.

And the Saints, despite their backline looking uncharacteristically shaky, started to settle in the second term.

A superb finish from Dal Santo five minutes in brought up his team's first goal, and when Andrew McQualter found the mark five minutes later the margin was suddenly less than a kick.

Mitch Hahn slipped Brendon Goddard twice to boot two goals in as many minutes and restore the Dogs' earlier break, but when Hayes found some space and snapped truly it was back to nine points.

Riewoldt, limping at times with knee soreness and blanketed by Dale Morris, looked his side's sole focus in attack with Justin Koschitzke having minimal impact.

With seven points the difference at the main break, Riewoldt received his free kick near the top of the goal square after Lake used his forearm to bump him. Replays showed the star might have been a tad fortunate.

That goal started a run of three for the Saints and it looked like they might break away.

But the Bulldogs, thanks to goals from Johnson and Gilbee, hung tough to ensure there was less than a kick in it at the final change.

St Kilda     0.2   3.6   7.6   9.6 (60)
Western Bulldogs     2.5   4.7   6.7   7.11 (53)

GOALS
St Kilda: Riewoldt 4, Dal Santo, Fisher, Hayes, McQualter, Milne
Western Bulldogs: Hahn 2, Johnson 2, Giansiracusa, Higgins, Picken

BEST
St Kilda: Riewoldt, Hayes, Dal Santo, Fisher, Jones, Baker
Western Bulldogs: Griffen, Harbrow, Gilbee, Lake, Boyd, Johnson, Picken

INJURIES
St Kilda: Nil
Western Bulldogs: Nil

Reports: Nil

Umpires: McInerney, McBurney, Chamberlain

Official crowd: 78,245 at the MCG

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.