Australian Football

Match Report

St Kilda has recorded its fourth win of the 2016, a come-from-behind victory condemning the Fremantle Dockers to a 10th consecutive defeat to start the season. The Saints started well but the middle two quarters of the match were dominated by the Dockers, who led by 13 points at the last change and looked like breaking their 2016 duck. However, the Saints regained their 'mojo' in the final term, and blew Fremantle away with an eight-goal-to-one quarter to win running away and record consecutive victories for the first time this season. 

The Saints were expected to make short work of the winless Dockers and that looked very much like being the case for the first 15 minutes of the match. The Dockers were nowhere to be seen as Jack Newnes, David Armitage, Tim Membrey and Paddy McCartin had St Kilda ahead 4.3 to nil midway through the first term. But Fremantle settled and kicked three of the last four goals of the quarter and the margin was back to a manageable 16 points at the first end-change.

Fremantle continued its comeback with the first goal of the second term, kicked by Matthew Pavlich at the six-minute mark. There was a long delay before Jack Steven responded nine minutes later. Another long, goalless period ensued, and the Saints were still a comfortable 19 points clear at the 23-minute mark but Lachie Weller and Ed Langdon combined to kick three goals between them in just four minutes and the Dockers trailed by just one point at the long break.

Half time did not halt Fremantle's run and the Dockers kicked the first three goals of the third quarter through Lachie Neale, Tom Sheridan and Matthew Taberner to lead by 19 points as the term entered time on. The Saints managed to stem the flow of Fremantle goals after that and a late goal to McCartin saw them back within 13 points at the final change. 

St Kilda came out firing in the final term, and majors to Membrey, Nick Riewoldt, Mav Weller and Membrey again had them suddenly 11 points clear midway through the quarter. Josh Bruce extended the margin to 16 points with a goal early in time on but the Dockers had a big chance to get back into the match soon after when Taberner marked in the goal square. Incredibly, his shot from just six metres out hit the post and the Saints then took right over, kicking the last three goals of the match to cruise to a 34-point win. 

Best for the winners included Jack Steven (32 disposals, nine tackles) and Armitage (28 touches and a goal) while Lachie Neale (31 possessions and four tackles) was a fine player for the Dockers. 

The Saints will look to make it three wins in a row in round 11, but will have a tough task in doing so when they take on the Crows at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday. The Dockers, meanwhile, must be wondering if they will ever win a game in 2016. Perhaps they will have their best chance on Saturday night when they host Essendon at Subiaco. 

GOALS
St Kilda: Membrey 3; McCartin, Riewoldt, Bruce 2; Newnes, Armitage, Murdoch, Steven, Weller, Gresham
Fremantle: Weller, Langdon, Taberner 2; Walters, Pavlich, Sheridan, Neale

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
St Kilda: Steven, Armitage, Riewoldt, Fisher, Geary
Fremantle: Neale, Barlow, Hill, Blakely, Crozier

BEST - THEAGE.COM.AU
St Kilda: Armitage, Steven, Riewoldt, Ross, Roberton, Montagna
Fremantle: Neale, Hill, Walters, Blakely, Barlow

INJURIES
St Kilda: Nil
Fremantle: Sutcliffe (ankle)

UMPIRES: Donlon, Stephens, Edwards

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Fox Footy

COMMENTATORS: Eddie McGuire, Dwayne Russell, Dermott Brereton, Jonathan Brown, David King