REPORT
With the first goal kicked by Dogs tagger Liam Picken, things started to look ugly. Cooney and Griffen kept bursting out of the pack and running right down the middle of the ground with 2 or 3 bounces. The Quarter Time score of 18-2 the Doggies way meant St.Kilda had been kept goal less for a whole quarter. A feat rarely achieved this season. Hayes and Riewoldt were keeping the Saints in the game. Riewoldt taking strong marks and Hayes hitting him up and crashing through people. St.Kilda gradually kicked their way into the game. Raph Clarke became an important player. Just as the Saints were clawing back into it, Mitch Hahn kicks 2 consecutive goals to blow the lead out to 15 points. At Half Time the lead was just 7 points. I wasn’t even at the game and I could feel the cheering of the crowd. After Half Time Dal Santo strangled the game having 12 touches in the 3rd quarter. The Dogs had 10 Inside 50 entries to the Saints 16 resulting in a 4 goal to 2 3rd term. Milne kicked a late goal and it turned out pivotal. The Dogs wasted chances and that left them 5 points up at the last break. Riewoldt had a scare with his knee but all was good. The last quarter started and the crowd lifted. The intensity was high and after a hard fought battle, St.Kilda managed to keep coming. Hayes had 13 amazing touches and Raph Calrke had 9 in the last term. Gilbert, Goddard and Fisher were all good off half back and in the forward 50 Kosi was taking strong marks. The lead was shared a few times and either team could have won. Riewoldt kicked a captain’s goal and Zac Dawson took some great marks down back. Raph Clarke kept on running though. Hitting targets as he went. Hayes and Riewoldt were the real shining lights. Riewoldt had 95 SC points and Hayes had 94 in the last term. With St.Kilda up by just 1 point and with a throw in, in the forward pocket and 2 minutes left, fans started to get nervous. The ball was loose on the ground after the throw in and the inspirational Nick Riewoldt managed to kick a very arguable goal off the ground. The Saints were up by 7 points and that was the final margin. As the ball was hoofed forward one last time for the Dogs and Callan Ward was flying high, the siren sounded. Dogs players fell to the ground and St.Kilda jumped around in joy. The Saints first Grand Final since 1997 and will have ago at their first premiership since 1966.
SUPERCOACH SCORES
Good Performances:
L.Hayes 171
N.Riewoldt 162
S.Fisher 143
R.Clarke 105
Z. Dawson 84
B.Lake 111
M.Hahn 104
MY VOTES
3. Lenny Hayes. 34 touches, 13 in the last quarter and managed to kick a very important goal.
2. Nick Riewoldt. 18 touches, 11 marks, 7 contested, 4 goals in the 2nd half. Really led the team well.
1. Raph Clarke. 21 touches. I thought he played a fantastic game after always being the whipping horse.
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Josh
SuperCoach Tips 