Saints snag win in thriller

ST KILDA have downed the reigning premiers Geelong in the NAB Cup Quarter Final at Manuka Oval after a thrilling last quarter. Geelong came hard late in the last quarter and when Ryan Gamble’s behind put the Cats in front it looked like they would take the win, but with just minutes to go St Kilda rookie, Jack Steven, goaled to give the Saints the win. The big men dominated at both ends with young Tom Hawkins kicking four goals for the Cats and Saint Justin Koschitzke also kicking four goals in the absence of Nick Riewoldt. Just like last week, the Cats jumped out of the block kicking two supergoals through Joel Corey and Mathew Stokes, before Cameron Mooney kicked their first six-pointer. Fraser Gehrig opened the Saints account after 14 minutes with a mark from a long kick by Justin Koschitzke, but the Cats took 20 point lead into the first change. The Saints dominated the second quarter kicking the first five goals before Ryan Gamble kicked the Cats only goal of the quarter. When Justin Koschitzke kicked his third goal late in the second quarter the Saints had a 16 point lead going into half time. The 3rd term got underway quickly for the Saints with a goal to Koschitzke to extend there half time lead. Joel Selwood hit back quickly with a super goal of his own to draw back the margin and help the Cats go into the forth quarter chasing a small margin. Two goals to young Tom Hawkins put the Cats in the lead early in the final term and it looked as though they keep the form going but the Saints fought back with a super goal to Nick Dal Santo to put them back in front. A goal from Mooney drew the scoreboard level and a behind from Ryan Gamble gave the Cats a one point lead in extra time. It was the youngster from Lorne who was the match winner for the saints though who snagged a goal late in the final quarter to give the Saints a 5 point lead which became the final margin. The celebration after beating last years premiers may be short though after injuries to Fraser Gehrig, Justin Koschitzke and Max Hudghton. The injuries don’t appear to be serious but we will keep you updated when more comes to hand.

St Kilda 0.2.4 2.6.5 2.8.6 3.9.10 (91) Geelong 2.2.6 2.3.7 3.5.8 3.8.11 (86)

GOALS St Kilda: Supergoals: Armitage, Dal Santo, Koschitzke. Goals: Koschitzke 4, Allen, Armitage, Gehrig, Milne, Steven Geelong: Supergoals: Corey, Selwood, Stokes. Goals: Hawkins 4, Mooney 2, Gamble, Stokes

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