TonyK
CibbuanoSaints through to grand final
September 18th 2009 14:30
ST KILDA is through to its first grand final since 1997 after recording a hard-fought seven-point win over the Western Bulldogs in the first preliminary final at the MCG on Friday night.
The Saints' 9.6 (60) to 7.11 (53) victory means they are just one win away from ending a premiership drought dating back to 1966.
Ross Lyon’s men will now play the winner of Saturday night's second preliminary final between Geelong and Collingwood in next week's grand final.
It was a heartbreaking end to the season for the Bulldogs who have now lost six straight preliminary finals.
St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt was instrumental in the win with 18 possessions, 11 marks and four second half goals while Lenny Hayes (34) and Nick Dal Santo (30) were influential in the middle.
Sam Fisher provided plenty of drive off half-back with 30 disposals while Steven Baker kept Jason Akermanis quiet.
For the Dogs, Ryan Griffen (28) and Matthew Boyd (26) were prolific while Jarrod Harbrow and Brian Lake were impressive in defence.
The Bulldogs stamped their authority on the contest in the opening stanza, winning more of the football and moving it quickly through the middle of the ground.
But despite dominating general play the Dogs went into quarter-time with just a 15-point lead after booting a wasteful 2.5.
St Kilda finally got their first goal of the match at the five-minute mark of the second term through Dal Santo before a major from Andrew McQualter reduced the deficit to less than one straight kick.
Two quick fire goals from Mitch Hahn gave the Bulldogs some breathing space before Hayes snapped truly.
The Saints were lucky to be within seven points at the main break considering the Dogs had racked up 38 more possessions, 30 more marks and 12 more inside 50’s.
Riewoldt got his side off to a dream start in the second half, converting before the football had even been bounced after Lake conceded a soft off-the-ball free kick.
When Fisher kicked a goal at the 10-minute mark the Saints had the lead for the first time in the match.
Another goal from Riewoldt saw the Saints open up an 11-point advantage and it appeared as if they would run away with the contest.
But the Bulldogs refused to be blown away and responded with majors from skipper Brad Johnson and Daniel Giansiracusa to regain the lead.
However, their joy was short-lived as Stephen Milne booted his only goal of the night in the dying seconds of the third quarter to give the Saints a five-point lead at three-quarter time.
The Dogs got through crucial first goal of the final stanza through Johnson at the five-minute mark and controlled play for the next ten minutes but they were unable to find a goal to establish a handy break.
Riewoldt made the Bulldogs pay for their inability to translate their dominance onto the scoreboard with his third major after a towering grab at the 18-minute mark.
Giansiracusa had a chance to put the Bulldogs back in front but his shot sailed wide.
It proved to be a costly miss as Riewoldt soccered one home with just over a minute left on the clock to seal a memorable win.
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, Hayes, Fisher, McQualter, Dal Santo, Milne
Bulldogs: Hahn 2, Johnson 2, Higgins, Giansiracusa, Picken
BEST: St Kilda: Riewoldt, Hayes, Dal Santo, Fisher, Baker, Jones
Bulldogs: Griffen, Harbrow, Boyd, Lake, Picken, Johnson
INJURIES: St Kilda: Nil
Bulldogs: Nil
UMPIRES: McBurney, Chamberlain, McInerney
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
CROWD: 78,245 at MCG
The Saints' 9.6 (60) to 7.11 (53) victory means they are just one win away from ending a premiership drought dating back to 1966.
Ross Lyon’s men will now play the winner of Saturday night's second preliminary final between Geelong and Collingwood in next week's grand final.
It was a heartbreaking end to the season for the Bulldogs who have now lost six straight preliminary finals.
Sam Fisher provided plenty of drive off half-back with 30 disposals while Steven Baker kept Jason Akermanis quiet.
For the Dogs, Ryan Griffen (28) and Matthew Boyd (26) were prolific while Jarrod Harbrow and Brian Lake were impressive in defence.
The Bulldogs stamped their authority on the contest in the opening stanza, winning more of the football and moving it quickly through the middle of the ground.
But despite dominating general play the Dogs went into quarter-time with just a 15-point lead after booting a wasteful 2.5.
St Kilda finally got their first goal of the match at the five-minute mark of the second term through Dal Santo before a major from Andrew McQualter reduced the deficit to less than one straight kick.
Two quick fire goals from Mitch Hahn gave the Bulldogs some breathing space before Hayes snapped truly.
The Saints were lucky to be within seven points at the main break considering the Dogs had racked up 38 more possessions, 30 more marks and 12 more inside 50’s.
Riewoldt got his side off to a dream start in the second half, converting before the football had even been bounced after Lake conceded a soft off-the-ball free kick.
When Fisher kicked a goal at the 10-minute mark the Saints had the lead for the first time in the match.
Another goal from Riewoldt saw the Saints open up an 11-point advantage and it appeared as if they would run away with the contest.
But the Bulldogs refused to be blown away and responded with majors from skipper Brad Johnson and Daniel Giansiracusa to regain the lead.
However, their joy was short-lived as Stephen Milne booted his only goal of the night in the dying seconds of the third quarter to give the Saints a five-point lead at three-quarter time.
The Dogs got through crucial first goal of the final stanza through Johnson at the five-minute mark and controlled play for the next ten minutes but they were unable to find a goal to establish a handy break.
Riewoldt made the Bulldogs pay for their inability to translate their dominance onto the scoreboard with his third major after a towering grab at the 18-minute mark.
Giansiracusa had a chance to put the Bulldogs back in front but his shot sailed wide.
It proved to be a costly miss as Riewoldt soccered one home with just over a minute left on the clock to seal a memorable win.
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, Hayes, Fisher, McQualter, Dal Santo, Milne
Bulldogs: Hahn 2, Johnson 2, Higgins, Giansiracusa, Picken
BEST: St Kilda: Riewoldt, Hayes, Dal Santo, Fisher, Baker, Jones
Bulldogs: Griffen, Harbrow, Boyd, Lake, Picken, Johnson
INJURIES: St Kilda: Nil
Bulldogs: Nil
UMPIRES: McBurney, Chamberlain, McInerney
REPORTS: Nil
CHANGES: Nil
CROWD: 78,245 at MCG
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