Ruthless Saints ruin retirement game for Tigers stars
Roger Vaughan |
St Kilda were stone-cold AFL killers at the MCG, quickly taking any emotion out of their danger game against Richmond.
The 49-point win over the Tigers on Saturday kept their slim wildcard hopes alive for at least one more day, although Carlton will start heavy favourites on Sunday against the Western Bulldogs.
Should the Blues win either of their last two games, the Saints’ season will end next Thurday night against Gold Coast.
But after a tough fortnight, headlined by the hamstring injury to star onballer Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, St Kilda made sure there would be no fairytale end for three-time Richmond premiership heroes Dion Prestia and Nathan Broad.
With Mitch Owens kicking a career-best five goals and Brad Hill running riot off half-back, the Saints dominated from the start.
“We knew they’d have emotion wrapped around that, but that only lasts so long,” St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said.
“Method and intensity takes care of emotion and we thought we did that.
“We know we dipped a bit over two weeks, but the previous 14 weeks we’ve been very consistent.”
Lyon was asked for his reaction when he heard the news that the Bulldogs, who are guaranteed a wildcard berth, had rested captain Marcus Bontempelli for the Carlton game.
“I’d rest him too – he’s pretty special. I know he’s been sore,” Lyon said.
Lyon said he would pay no attention to the Carlton-Bulldogs game, noting they only have a six-day break before the Marvel Stadium clash against the Suns.
“It’s going to be a challenge going into our last game, so we’ll move on really quickly out of necessity,” he said.
“You haven’t got the luxury – and you can’t be defined by results … I can’t change my preparation.”
Lyon added Hill, who had an astonishing 26 possessions to halftime and finished with 42, “really lit us up”.
Max Hall also starred in the midfield with 41 possessions.
AAP