A match-winning performance from Jack Steven has helped St Kilda to survive a major scare from AFL upstarts Brisbane, downing the Lions by 25 points at Etihad Stadium.
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Final score
St Kilda Saints 14.11 (107)
Brisbane Lions 11.10 (82)
The St Kilda Saints host a potentially resurgent Brisbane Lions as both teams kick off their 2018 campaigns. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 3:35pm (AEDT).
St Kilda’s 2017 campaign was, as ever, middling to average. For a team rumoured these past few years to rocket back into finals, they’ve shown spicks and specks of talent, but unfortunately never enough. 2018 is a pivotal year for this team – not make finals, and they’ll be serious questions asked.
On the other side of the equation, Brisbane have languished in the dregs of the AFL ladder for a long while, but there finally seems to be optimism surrounding the Queenslanders. Finals are probably a pipe-dream, but there’ll be a fair few wins.
The Saints have named a majority of their choice 22, with the prominent exclusions including Mav Weller, Luke Dunstan and Sam Gilbert. Importantly, Paddy McCartin and Dave Armitage return, top draftee Hunter Clark debuts, and Billy Longer and Jack Steven make the team despite JLT Series injury concerns.
The Lions, too, have debutants and healthy players alike. Number 1 draftee Cam Rayner will be a debutant, while Charlie Cameron and Luke Hodge will play in Lions guerneseys for the first time. A trio who missed a fair chunk of 2017 – Allen Christensen, Tom Bell and Mitch Robinson – also return.
Prediction
This could easily be slapped with the dubious honour of being one of the least promising games of the round, but that could very well be unfair. Both teams played some great footy last year, and a quality game could eventuate.
There’s not much to separate these two, but I’m going with St Kilda by 18 points.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 3:35pm (AEDT).
Paul D
Roar Guru
Didn't get a chance to watch this one, my game was on. Just watched some highlights, impressive stuff General consensus from the supporters is that there was a lot to like about the game from our point of view, and more importantly it looks like the new coach and his voice on the field in Hodge have put a floor on our performances now, we are going to at least be competitive now for more of the game - a big part of the demoralisation around the Lions has been enduring games that have been lost by quarter time If we can stay in games for longer we'll reduce the blowouts and gradually become a better team, but we'll need to pinch a few wins to keep spirits up along the way
Michael Hallam
Guest
interesting that robinsons head wasn`t impacted. Great form of acting.
Michael Hallam
Guest
Not playing finals! big statement Cat. In the first game.
Cat
Roar Guru
I’m more impressed with Brisbane for sure. Young team, start of the season, they’ll make mistakes and tire. Been watching Freo game for last 5 minutes ... how s**** are they? Wow.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
FULL TIME St Kilda have won by 25 points at Eithad Stadium. All credit to Brisbane though, because they produced some great footy today. Thanks for joining me today! Join me again tomorrow for West Coast v Sydney at the brand-spankin-new Optus Stadium. St Kilda: 14.11 (107) Brisbane Lions: 11.10 (82)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
BEHIND SAINTS Koby Stevens with a behind for the hosts. St Kilda: 14.11 (107) Brisbane Lions: 11.10 (82)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Great minds think alike!
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL LIONS Josh Walker kicks a late one for the Lions. St Kilda: 14.10 (106) Brisbane Lions: 11.10 (82)
XI
Roar Guru
I really don't like it when that happens. Even when it's my team. Kinda makes it all less fun.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Yeah, it's reminiscent of the season opener.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Yeah, true. In Brisbane's defence, they've produced some very good footy today. They're reminiscent of Carlton on Thursday though - they're tiring as the game goes on.
XI
Roar Guru
Well this is a shame. Margin doesn't show the evenness of the game.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL SAINTS The Saints are just showing off now! Ben Long's first goal in footy, and the Saints have more than a comfortable lead. St Kilda: 14.10 (106) Brisbane Lions: 11.10 (76)
Cat
Roar Guru
Sure ... as long as they play a team that turns it over and doesn’t defend. Pretty easy to look good marking and kicking uncontested from the goal square all day.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL SAINTS Well, that was something special from Bruce. They've got a comfortable lead with 7 minutes to go. St Kilda: 14.10 (100) Brisbane Lions: 11.10 (76)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
They've been decent today.
Cat
Roar Guru
Saints are so very very unimpressive. No chance at playing finals.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL SAINTS Billings -> Membrey, and it's a goal. I'm worried that this game is becoming beyond the reach of the Lions, but stranger things have happened. St Kilda: 13.10 (94) Brisbane Lions: 11.10 (76)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
GOAL SAINTS Banana-nana! Membrey's kicked perfectly from the very tight angle, and the Saints kick away again. St Kilda: 13.10 (88) Brisbane Lions: 11.10 (76)
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
This is so, so good.