Australian Football

Match Report

In an entertaining match at the Gabba, St Kilda has overcome a tardy start to defeat Brisbane on Sunday. The Lions had a big first quarter, kicking seven goals to two, but the Saints responded with a seven-goal-to-one second term to lead at half time. Brisbane threatened several times during the second half, but the young Saints answered the challenge and held them at bay each time, running out winners by 22 points. 

It was one-way traffic in Brisbane's favour in the first 20 minutes of the match. Mitch Robinson kicked things off for the Lions with a goal at the two-minute mark, and Rohan Bewick, Daniel Rich (two), and Ryan Lester added further majors to take Brisbane to a 28-point lead as the term entered time on. Skipper Nick Riewoldt finally put St Kilda on the board with a goal at the 22-minute mark but Brisbane kicked two of the next three through Lester and Tom Rockliff. A second major too Riewoldt kept the difference to below 30 points at quarter time. 

Despite the breeze having a minimal effect on the match, the fortunes of the two teams underwent a complete reversal in the second quarter. David Armitage set the Saints alight with two goals in the first five minutes, and then Jack Lonie, Luke Dunstan, Jack Steven and Dunstan again all added goals as St Kilda suddenly found itself eight points clear. Josh Green finally managed a goal for the Lions at the 21-minute mark, but Nick Riewoldt made it seven goals to one for the term with his third at the 24-minute mark. At the long break, the Saints were 10 points ahead. 

Brisbane had chances to make an impact early in the third term, but several attacking forays produced only three behinds. The Saints made the Lions pay in the strongest possible way over the next few minutes, with Adam Schneider kicking a brace of goals that poor St Kilda 21 points clear. Nick Robertson then sparked a Lions revival with a goal at the 16-minute mark, with follow-up goals to Dayne Zorko and Lester cutting the margin it just two points. However at late goal to Riewoldt burst the Lions' bubble somewhat, and the Saints took a nine-point lead and slight momentum into the last term.

The Lions needed to start the final term with a goal but unfortunately for them it was St Kilda who burst out of the blocks in the quarter. Two majors from the goal square by Maverick Weller took the lead back out to 21 points and Brisbane faced an uphill battle from there. Lester's fourth cut the margin to 15 at the five-minute mark but Josh Bruce kicked his first at the 15-minute mark to extend the margin to 22 points once more. Allen Christensen gave the Lions one more brief spark at the 26-minute mark with his first but Dylan Roberton settled the score once and for all with the last goal of the match after 28 minutes.

Armitage was a standout for the Saints, with 31 possessions and two goals, with veterans Riewoldt (four goals, 10 marks) and Schneider (22 touches and two goals) also very good contributors. Brisbane was well served by Dayne Beams (38 touches and 10 marks), Stefan Martin (31 hitouts, 25 disposals) and Lester (four goals, 23 possessions).

The Saints will face Hawthorn and Melbourne at Docklands over the next two weekends, prior to a bye in round 12, while Brisbane will take on GWS at the Sydney Showground before having a week off in round 11.

GOALS
Brisbane: Lester 4; Rich 2; Green, Robinson, Bewick, Zorko, Rockliff, Robertson, Christensen
St Kilda: Riewoldt 4; Dunstan, Weller, Schneider, Armitage 2; Steven, Roberton, Lonie, Bruce

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Brisbane: Martin, Lester, D.Beams, Andrews, Zorko, Taylor
St Kilda: Armitage, Riewoldt, Steven, Dempster, Montagna, Schneider

BEST - BRISBANETIMES.COM.AU
Brisbane: Beams Martin Lester Taylor Christensen Rockliff
St Kilda: Armitage Riewoldt Schneider Montagna Steven Dempster 

INJURIES 
Brisbane: Gardiner (calf) replaced in selected side by Bewick, Harwood (concussion), Adcock (calf), C.Beams (knee), Rockliff (ribs)
St Kilda: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane: Zac O'Brien replaced Ryan Harwood in the second quarter
St Kilda: Jack Sinclair replaced Tom Hickey in the third quarter

UMPIRES: Ryan, Hosking, Ryan

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Fox Footy

COMMENTATORS: Dwayne Russell, Brad Johnson, Jonathan Brown, Cameron Mooney