Saints make it three on the trot
St Kilda has withstood a bold last-quarter revival by Carlton to consolidate its spot in the eight with a determined 32-point victory at the MCG on Friday night. In front of 55,658 fans - a record home and away attendance between the two clubs - the Saints saw their 39-point advantage in the third quarter whittled to just seven in the last term before finishing strongly to win 18.11 (119) to 12.15 (87). The victory, St Kilda's 11th on the trot this decade against the Blues, was set up in the second quarter when the Saints booted seven goals to Carlton's three. The momentum swung briefly Carlton's way in the third but three unanswered goals in time on briefly halted the Blues' run. But just when all seemed lost for the Blues, they launched a five-goal burst, four of which came in the last term, to breathe life into what had been a dour affair. Eddie Betts bagged two classic crumber's goals which were followed by another two to Brendan Fevola and Jarrad Waite, both of whom had largely dirty nights, and the Blues were only seven points down with more than 10 minutes left on the clock. However, Justin Koschitzke threaded the eye of the needle after marking unguarded near the boundary line then set up another with a towering mark to snuff the life out of the Blues. It would have been tantamount to highway robbery had the Blues stolen this game from the Saints, who dominated much of the match. Saturday night: we missed the jump, worked hard to regain a good position in the race, made a long and sustained run, went past the leader at the 100 only to have him kick back - then we came again and cruised past him. Won by a length and half with the rider putting the whip away before the post. I haven't seen that sort of composure, leadership, concentration and determination for years.
More Andrew Wu/Sportal/11Jul08