The second match of the AFL’s Anzac Day triple-header takes us over the ditch to windy Wellington’s Westpac Stadium where the St Kilda Saints will do battle with the Brisbane Lions. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:45pm (AEST).
It’s only the second time ever that a game has been played for premiership points outside of Australia.
Last year, Sydney took the points against St Kilda in Wellington in front of a crowd of over 22,000. The Saints are back for another crack at winning in New Zealand, while the Lions make their debut appearance in Wellington.
Before the season started, both sides were expected to struggle. But the Saints have been something of a surprise packet so far, and go into this match with three wins from their first five games.
Two early wins against Melbourne and GWS Giants started their year off strongly, but the big achievement was last week when the Saints stunned Essendon by 16-points.
Nick Riewoldt had a stellar performance. The big Saint forward has returned to his best form this season, and a five-goal performance was pivotal to getting the Saints over the line.
The experienced hands of Leigh Montagna, Lenny Hayes and Adam Schneider were also prominent. Names that have guided the Saints to Grand Final appearances not all that long ago still have hopes of doing it again.
But there’s also new blood pumping through the Saints’ veins. Eli Templeton looks a ball-winner – his skills standing out as much as his hairstyle.
Draft picks Jack Billings and Luke Dunstan have slotted seamlessly into senior football, while GWS trade Josh Bruce is enjoying getting more opportunities at the Saints than he was getting in Giants colours.
In contrast, the season is already looking bleak for Brisbane. The Lions are the only side yet to win a game in 2014, and they were lamentable for most of the night against Richmond in their last game.
Rocked by defections during last year’s trading period, and decimated by injuries so far in 2014, the Lions have struggled to muster a team that can be competitive against the competitions leading contenders.
But it hasn’t been all doom and gloom for the Lions. Tom Rockliff, since returning from suspension, has shown his class around the ground and picked up a stack of possessions every week.
Dayne Zorko has shown plenty of strength, while Trent West has stood up well in the ruck contests. Up forward, the ever-reliable Jonathan Brown continues to manufacture goals.
The injection of young talent gives hope that the Lions can develop a stronger squad in years to come. James Aish, Nick Robertson, Tom Cutler and Darcy Gardiner have been introduced to senior footy already this season and look the goods.
The stakes in this match are high.
For the Saints, a chance to move comfortably into the top eight and prepare themselves for a realistic crack at finals action; something few would have thought possible before the season started.
For the Lions, a chance to get that breakthrough first win of the season, and develop some momentum to get their season back on track.
Will it be the Saints thrown to the Lions? Or will the Saints turn up the heat on the Lions, baking them at the Cake Tin?
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:45pm (AEST) as we follow all the action for Wellington.
Simoc
Guest
Bent back. You wish. Your eyes may be worn out from trying to create a non event.
mds1970
Roar Guru
And, 6 weeks into the season, every club has now had at least one win. Brisbane get the breakthrough, 4 valuable competition points. They had to dig deep and hang on for dear life as the Saints threw everything at them in the last quarter; but in the end they would prevail. Disappointment for the Saints, and there'll be plenty of controversy about the last Brisbane goal - but in the end, the Saints had their chances and were unable to deliver the final goal that would have delivered them victory. Thanks for joining us on The Roar, and stay tuned for commentary of the remaining matches as this ANZAC weekend continues. Good night.
John Ryan
Roar Pro
22000 last year 13000 this year wonder if anyone will show up for the next game,dont seem to have gone down to well in NZ does it
mds1970
Roar Guru
Brisbane 12.10 (82) def St Kilda 11.13 (79) Goals : Brisbane - J Brown 2, L Taylor 2, J Redden 2, D Merrett, J Green, A Raines, J Aish, T West, D Zorko. St Kilda - C Jones 2, L Montagna 2, J Saunders, T Curren, N Riewoldt, L Dunstan, J Billings, R Stanley, S Dempster. Best : Brisbane - D Zorko, T West, J Aish, J Redden, R Lester, J Adcock. St Kilda - L Montagna, L Hayes, J Steven, S Dempster, J Gwilt, J Geary.
mds1970
Roar Guru
That goal from Redden will be replayed many times over. Hard to tell for sure, the technology really didn't help that much.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Leigh Montagna wins the best on ground medal - but he'd trade it for a win.
mds1970
Roar Guru
What a relief for Brisbane, and what a disappointment for the Saints. The Lions, winless all season, had done the hard work in the first half to get to a four-goal lead; and when the Saints were only able to peg back one goal in the third term, the Lions had a chance for victory. But the Saints emerged full of running in the final quarter. Jonathan Brown gave the Lions some breathing space, but the Saints were on a roll. Players who had been quiet were getting into the game, and the Saints had loose men everywhere. Bang, bang, bang - and in no time the deficit was erased and the game was back on level terms. The Saints had their chances to win, and some missed shots cost them dearly. At the other end, Redden just managed to evade the fingertips to get a goal through. And the Lions defended grimly in the final stages to take out a well-earned win.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Score review needs to go or at least get a camera that isn't from the 1960's. Brown's finger bent backwards yet it's inconclusive... Yeah right! Regardless we missed too many chances on goal, not good enough.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Final score - Brisbane 12.10 (82) def St Kilda 11.13 (79)
mds1970
Roar Guru
SIREN!! LIONS WIN BY 3 POINTS!!!!
mds1970
Roar Guru
Ball on centre wing. 32 minutes.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Free kick against Riewoldt, that enables the Lions to steady. And Jed Adcock gets a 50 metre penalty, driving the Lions past the half way line. 31 minutes gone, still Brisbane by 3
mds1970
Roar Guru
30 minutes final quarter - Brisbane 12.10 St Kilda 11.13 Jimmy Webster from the centre gets inside 50. Farren Ray gathers 35 out. On the run. He snaps, and misses what he should have kicked - and the Lions still have the lead.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Out of bounds on the 50 metre line at St Kilda's attacking end. Clinton Jones limping but staying on.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Bodies everywhere. Smothered kicks. Desperate tackling. High stakes. We've passed 28 minutes, the Lions still clinging to a 4-point lead.
mds1970
Roar Guru
27 minutes final quarter - Brisbane 12.10 St Kilda 11.12 Ball out of bounds, 20 metres around from the Saints goal. A goal here will put St Kilda in front, and Steven has a quick snap; but Adcock gets a hand to it, and it's a point.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Robertson runs inside 50 for the Lions, but he's tackled from behind and it's holding the ball. Saints to clear. Lions still hanging on to a 5 point lead at the 25 minute mark
mds1970
Roar Guru
23 minutes final quarter - Brisbane 12.10 St Kilda 11.11 Quick snap from Jack Steven, but it goes wide to the left for a point.
mds1970
Roar Guru
22 minutes - Brisbane 12.10 St Kilda 11.10 Here comes Mayes from the 50. Quick snap, it's a point. Important behind, a straight kick in it.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Zorko has a chance for the Lions from the 50, but Dempster marks on the last line of defence.