Saints step up to defeat Lions

St Kilda 16.12 (108) def. Brisbane Lions   7.15 (57)

With September calling, St Kilda stepped up a gear in defeating the Brisbane Lions by 51 points at the Gabba Ground on Saturday night.

The Saints led from the outset, and were rarely troubled after seeing off a fleeting Lions challenge early in the match, marching home to a 51 point win, the hefty victory doing wonders for their percentage, which is critical in terms of determining the eventual shape of the final eight this time tomorrow night.

It was the evergreen veteran Robert Harvey who continued to tick the Saints motor over throughout the night in amassing 21 possessions, ably supported by Nick Dal Santo (32), Luke Ball (29) and Leigh Montagna (20). Forgotten big man Barry Brooks took his turn in the limelight with three second term goals to set up the win.

Brisbane began brightly; playing with plenty of run and dare, the spark eventually fizzled out. Nonetheless, they included a number of solid performers, with their captain Michael Voss the standout, in gathering an amazing 34 disposals in what may yet be his final league match, yet on the basis of this evenings happenings, there is still a bit left in Vossy’s tank.

Speaking of retiring, Lion stalwart Brad Scott bowed out in front of his 27,000 strong home crowd, the veteran of 168 games calling time on a gritty career.

In an entertaining opening term, it was the Lions who got the jump on their more fancied opponents, although the Saints managed to peg them back late. Led by their indestructible skipper Michael Voss and dashing wingman Justin Sherman, the home side had plenty of opportunities to hurt St Kilda on the scoreboard but lacked the efficiency in front of the big sticks.

With the side struggling for answers in attack, Sherman found the time to boot three goals, their only three of the quarter. The Saints were led by the veteran Robert Harvey, who snuck forward for two goals, while the star attraction up forward Nick Riewoldt caused trouble for burly Lion Daniel Merrett. By the time the siren was sounded, it was the Saints who’d crept out to a three point lead; the margin flattering them, for the home team had numerous opportunities to establish a handy lead.

Following an underwhelming opening quarter, St Kilda stamped their authority on the contest with a six goal term to the Lions one, building a more than handy 34 point buffer at the main break, the match now all but beyond doubt.

The unlikely hero of the quarter, as far as the Saints were concerned, was forgotten ruckman Barry Brooks, who looked the part from full forward in scoring three goals. Brooks, a product of the 2001 National Draft, was playing his first match for the season, and helped shift the focus off Riewoldt and Koschitzkie.

Although the resilient Justin Sherman still found a way home for his fourth, and that of his side, it was never going to be enough to halt the St Kilda charge, Gehrig, Milne and Harvey combining to push over the five goal barrier. Harvey and fellow onballers Nick Dal Santo and Luke Ball were in everything, while Voss valiantly led the charge for the home team with 21 first half disposals.

In an uninspiring term by both teams, the travellers did just enough to ward off any threat of a Lions comeback, breaking even for the term with three goals apiece, although the inaccurate Brisbane side could have produce a great deal more, seeing as they scrambled home seven behinds.

The only drama of the third quarter surrounded Saints skipper Luke Ball, who appeared to have severely damaged his knee in a marking contest, only to bounce back up in his customary fashion to lead his side over the finish line, his side a safe 28 points ahead at the start of the last stanza.

The final term petered out into something of a percentage booster for St Kilda, who nailed three goals to the tiring Lions nil to record a 51 point win. Despite the big win, it may well have been even greater had they donned their kicking boots in the final 30 minutes, a number of score-raising chances going begging.

Finals bound, the Saints will await the results of tomorrows encounters before it is determined whom they shall face next week, their victory likely sewing up a home final. On the other side of the coin, the embattled Lions contemplate some time off, their attention turned to trade week and the future club of rebel star Jason Akermanis.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!