INJURIES to several key players marred an otherwise bright afternoon for St Kilda in their NAB Cup quarter final against Geelong at Manuka Oval.
The Saints hung on for a thrilling five-point win over the reigning premiers, with Justin Koschitzke imposing at centre half-forward and promising contributions from Nick Dal Santo, Leigh Montagna and Max Hudghton.
But they lost Fraser Gehrig, who limped from the ground midway through the second quarter with what appeared to be a calf injury, and Hudghton, who hurt his hamstring in the final term. Koschitzke also left the ground in the last quarter.
Lorne youngster Jack Steven kicked the match-winner after Geelong led by a point with a couple of minutes to play. The Saints won 3.9.10 (91) to 3.8.11 (86).
Both sides fielded B-teams, with Geelong missing skipper Tom Harley and five of its nine All-Australians, including Gary Ablett and Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel; and the Saints starting without co-captains Nick Riewoldt and Lenny Hayes, plus Matt Maguire, Luke Ball and Robert Harvey.
But it was St Kilda’s young side which seemed quicker and more determined, seizing control of the game in the second quarter and only failing to establish a winning lead because of a handful of missed chances late in the third term.
Eaglehawk recruit Jarryn Geary was terrific in the midfield, with Steven Baker and Geelong trade Charlie Gardiner also seeing plenty of the ball.
Small forward Stephen Milne showed touch at times, crumbing a goal in the second term but missing chances later in that quarter and in the third.
This match was technically a St Kilda home game and, perhaps appropriately, church bells rang throughout much of the first quarter.
The ecclesiastical atmosphere didn’t stop Joel Corey and Mathew Stokes landing supergoals and Cam Mooney a goal before the Saints had a goal on the board.
Geelong looked comfortable in taking a 20-point lead into quarter time, but the Saints’ second quarter tipped the game on his head. Koschitzke and David Armitage kicked supergoals in a 10-minute burst that turned three-goal deficit into a three-goal lead.
The clash between Mark Blake and his former teammate Steven King had been one of the talking points ahead of this game, but with the Saints resting King and Blake starting off the ground, the ruck duel fell to untested pair Trent West and Luke Van Rheenen.
The Saints will play Essendon in next Friday’s NAB Cup semi-final.
St Kilda 0.2.4 2.6.5 2.8.6 3.9.10 (91)
Geelong 2.2.6 2.3.7 3.5.8 3.8.11 (86)
GOALS
St Kilda: Supergoals: Armitage, Dal Santo, Koschitzke. Goals: Koschitzke 4, Allen, Armitage, Gehrig, Milne, Steven
Geelong: Supergoals: Corey, Selwood, Stokes. Goals: Hawkins 4, Mooney 2, Gamble, Stokes
Full report and details to follow.
