Australian Football

Match Report

In a match that never reached any great heights, St Kilda has defeated Collingwood at Docklands to record its second win of the season, winning 9.15.69 to 7.13.55. The game was marred by skill errors and poor kicking for goal, with Saints committing fewer 'sins', eventually running out 14-point winners.

Collingwood started the match well and drew first blood with a mark and goal to Alex Fasolo after two minutes. The Pies then added three consecutive behinds before St Kilda scored, the Saints adding three behinds of there own, Collingwood took its turn to miss, Jamie Elliott and Tom Broomhead adding further points before St Kilda's Leigh Montagna finally kicked the second goal of the match at the 24-minute mark. Collingwood added a late major through Will Hoskin-Elliott, and went into the first break with a nine-point lead. 

The Saints had the better of the early part of the second quarter but, after Josh Bruce kicked a goal in the second minute, they missed three further shots via Dylan Roberton, Bruce and Jack Lonie, the last of those three behinds levelling the scores at 2.6 apiece. Fasolo then missed for Collingwood, but Jack Crisp made amends with a beautiful straight, long kick at the 16-minute mark to give the Magpies a seven-point lead. St Kilda then took back control, however, and after Jack Billings kicked yet another point, Jade Gresham and Bruce found the big sticks and St Kilda led by an even goal at half time. 

Ben Long began the second half with another behind four St Kilda but the next 10 minutes saw the match suddenly change complexion, with skills improving and five goals without a miss being registered. The first went Collingwood's way with a snap from Jesse White, but the Saints kicked the next two through Tim Membrey and Nick Riewoldt to jump to a 13-point lead. The Magpies responded with a nice roving goal to Jarryd Blair, but Blake Acres did the same at the other end and St Kilda was 13 points ahead once more after 11 minutes. The Saints dominated much of the remainder of the term but their yips in front of goal returned, a sole goal to Jack Billings being accompanied by misses to Luke Dunstan, Membrey, Gresham and Billings himself. Collingwood's only response was a behind to White, and the Saints turned for home with a 22-point lead.

The first half of the final term saw another long period in which only behinds were scored, three to St Kilda and one to the Magpies. Hoskin-Elliott's second goal gave Collingwood brief hope at the 16-minute mark but Membrey's second major had St Kilda safely ahead by 23 two minutes later. The Pies mounted one final challenge after that but ended the match rather fittingly with three misses to go with a goal to Henry Schade as St Kilda finished the match with a not particularly convincing 14-point win. 

Dylan Roberton's 12 marks and 32 disposals put him among the best for the winners, while Jeremy Howe (10 marks, 21 possessions) served Collingwood well.

The Saints are now 2-2 and within percentage of the top eight, but will have a big task ahead of them next Sunday when they take on the undefeated ladder leaders Geelong at Docklands. Collingwood are 1-3 and win need of a win against Essendon on ANZAC Day. 

GOALS
Collingwood: Hoskin-Elliott 2; Fasolo, Crisp, White, Blair, Schade
St. Kilda: Bruce, Membrey 2; Montagna, Gresham, Riewoldt, Acres, Billings

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Collingwood: Howe, Grundy, Sidebottom, Adams, Reid, Treloar
St. Kilda: Geary, Ross, Billings, Roberton, Newnes, Steele

BEST - THE AGE
Collingwood: Roberton, Ross, Geary Riewoldt, Newnes, Webster
St. Kilda: Adams, Sidebottom, Howe, Reid, Grundy

INJURIES
Collingwood: Tom Phillips (illness) replaced in selected side by Jarryd Blair, Will Hoskin-Elliott (left wrist)
St. Kilda: Nil

UMPIRES: Nicholls, Hay, McInerney

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Seven Network

COMMENTATORS: Hamish McLachlan, Brian Taylor, Leigh Matthews, Daisy Pearce