St Kilda
67
Match Complete
Western Bulldogs
64
| Fourth Quarter | ||||
| 22:30 |  | C. Daniel | ||
| 21:18 |  | M. Wallis | ||
| 18:24 | | T. Liberatore | ||
| 17:19 | | J. Dunkley | ||
| J. Billings | | 16:30 | ||
| 14:47 | | L. Hunter | ||
| J. Geary | | 12:08 | ||
| 11:10 | | E. Richards | ||
| 9:45 | | A. Naughton | ||
| 6:38 | | M. Bontempelli | ||
| 9.6 (60) | Third Quarter [+] | 5.6 (36) | ||
| 24:08 | | L. Hunter | ||
| 23:07 | | T. English | ||
| D. Butler | | 19:55 | ||
| D. Butler | | 18:48 | ||
| P. Ryder | | 15:57 | ||
| J. Geary | | 12:58 | ||
| M. King | | 10:56 | ||
| 9:56 | | B. Smith | ||
| 5:22 | | J. Dunkley | ||
| T. Membrey | | 3:26 | ||
| 5.4 (34) | Second Quarter [+] | 4.3 (27) | ||
| 22:51 | | M. Wallis | ||
| P. Ryder | | 19:22 | ||
| S. Ross | | 17:12 | ||
| M. King | | 15:35 | ||
| 10:24 | | M. Wallis | ||
| 9:19 | | H. Crozier | ||
| J. Lonie | | 6:58 | ||
| T. Membrey | | 5:54 | ||
| 2.2 (14) | First Quarter [+] | 3.1 (19) | ||
| J. Geary | | 25:19 | ||
| 21:27 | | H. Crozier | ||
| M. King | | 19:18 | ||
| 17:06 | | J. Johannisen | ||
| J. Lonie | | 9:26 | ||
| T. Membrey | | 6:36 | ||
| 4:46 | | B. Smith | ||
| 1:46 | | J. Bruce | ||
It’s win or go home for the St Kilda Saints and the Western Bulldogs as they clash in the first elimination final at The Gabba. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:40pm (AEST).
St Kilda, in their first full season under Brett Ratten, have booked their return to finals for the first time since 2011. A run of six wins from seven matches towards the halfway point of the year got them entrenched in the eight and, although they finished with three wins from their subsequent seven, they did enough to book their place.
The Bulldogs, on the other hand, are out to atone for a meek exit in last year’s finals series. Coming into September in red-hot form, the Doggies were blown off the park by the Giants in embarrassing fashion. They enter this evening’s clash having won five of their last six matches, but they’re 1-6 against the rest of the top eight this year.
The Saints took the points when these sides clashed in the home-and-away season, dominating the Bulldogs from start to finish in a 39-point trouncing. St Kilda have won three of their last five clashes with the Dogs and won back-to-back preliminary finals against them in 2009 and 2010.
Game information
Opening bounce: 4:40pm (AEST)
Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane
TV: Fox Sports, Seven
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, AFL Live Pass, 7Plus
Teams
St Kilda
B: Ben Long, Jake Carlisle, Nick Coffield
HB: Callum Wilkie, Dougal Howard, Jarryn Geary
C: Brad Hill, Seb Ross, Zak Jones
HF: Jack Billings, Tim Membrey, Dan Butler
F: Jack Lonie, Max King, Rowan Marshall
FOL: Paddy Ryder, Jack Steele, Hunter Clark
I/C: Dan Hannebery, Dean Kent, Ben Paton, Jack Sinclair
Western Bulldogs
B: Easton Wood, Alex Keath, Caleb Daniel
HB: Bailey Williams, Ryan Gardner, Zaine Cordy
C: Bailey Smith, Jack Macrae, Jason Johannisen
HF: Ed Richards, Josh Bruce, Mitch Wallis
F: Tom Liberatore, Aaron Naughton, Lachie Hunter
FOL: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Roarke Smith
I/C: Josh Dunkley, Hayden Crozier, Taylor Duryea, Patrick Lipinski
Vercetti1986'
Roar Rookie
Nathan Jones is cooked I reckon. He went on a year too long but his brother has been very good this year. Zak Jones has cleaned his disposal up a lot.
Vercetti1986'
Roar Rookie
Don't think so but they deserve a big tick for exceeding expectations next year. They just need to not fall in the same trap as Melbourne next year. I hope they can at least make it a contest against Richmond and an interesting game.
Vercetti1986'
Roar Rookie
Bruce and Schache might be on their way out when Ugle-Hagen gets drafted. I would give Bruce the benefit of the doubt after having one bad year. In saying that 4 year deal is looking like a big bust so far. Schache on the other hand has been extremely disappointing He is probably on the verge of being delisted or traded. I reckon the dogs will be good for next year and just need to sure up their defence. Naughton experiment up forward might be over. The dogs did very well to overtake Melbourne to play finals. That showed good resolve and resilence. I wouldn’t be too disappointed with this game and it was always going down to the wire.
Vercetti1986'
Roar Rookie
Outstanding win by the Saints. It was always going to be a bit of an arm wrestle and it was pleasing how they could hold on for the win but stopping the other side’s momentum during games should be the number one focus during the off-season. Putting the cue in the rack after getting out to a commanding lead cost the Saints a top four spot this year with inexcusable losses to North, Freo and Melbourne. It was good that it didn’t cost them when it mattered most in a final but fixing these lapses in concentration should be a priority. Consistency is what the best sides are good at doing. That will be the next step for this young side. I don’t expect them to beat Richmond next week but it has nonetheless been an excellent season for the Saints and Brett Ratten. Keeping it a contest and making it an entertaining game I think would be good enough. They far exceeded expectations this year and everything they did in the off-season last year has proven to be a resounding success. It is very sad news about Paddy Ryder. The poor bloke can’t take a trick. He played one his best games and played in his finals win and injuries his hamstring with a few minutes to go. Very tough luck. Max King was brilliant today and showed why the Saints invested in him in the draft. He delivered in spades today and will only get better. He completely dominated the bulldogs defence when the game was there to be won.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Josh Bruce needs to be delisted.
Col in Paradise
Roar Rookie
The Umps have loved the Doggies from 2016 onwards...yes they give them some soft ones and as also miss a few for the Saints ..
Larry Longshaft
Roar Rookie
Hudo macavaney jr ?
Larry Longshaft
Roar Rookie
Sly dig???
Richie Walton
Roar Guru
I think there were a few soft frees for high and in-the-back but they are the easiest incidents for the umpire to adjudicate, given the way the rules are.
Tassie.
Roar Rookie
True, anyone. :thumbup:
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Based on tonight Ryder's hamstring has cruelled the Saints chances next week, he was gigantic in this game and showed he had more than enough to give Nankervis a towelling. Saints without first use from stoppages will be fighting Richmond with one hand tied behind their backs :unhappy: gotta feel for the man; he gets a genuine opportunity, turns it on for possible BOG match-winning performance, then gets injured with about 3 minutes to go :unhappy:
Sir Luttinen
Roar Rookie
True and tigers have precious egos that are undone easily, unlike the great sides Richmond only have a few players you'll need to nullify. I hope st Kilda wins trust me bro I'd just like wce to be the ones to deliver the news Richmond sux
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
:unhappy:
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
They're alright they ended up with Malthouse instead :laughing:
Tassie.
Roar Rookie
Possibly, but the saints flogged the tigers last time we played. Saints 15:3 93 defeated Tigers 10:7 67.
Nico
Roar Rookie
The key to success
Tassie.
Roar Rookie
I think it was lower leg.
Larry Longshaft
Roar Rookie
Appreciate it. :thumbup:
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Close semi final would be good. Bad luck for the late hammy, cruel game sometimes
TomC
Roar Guru
I watched this game with no sound, and people not really into it, so maybe I'm way off. But did anyone else think the Dogs got a particularly good run from the umpires? I don't often think umpiring influences the result but this evening it threatened to.