St Kilda's Epic Comeback Win Over Geelong Sets Stage for Rival Showdown
In a thrilling encounter at Marvel Stadium on March 22, St Kilda clinched their first win of the AFL season, defeating Geelong by a narrow margin of 15.8 (98) to 13.13 (91). This match epitomized the spirit of Australian Rules Football, with St Kilda initially leading by a commanding eight goals early in the third term but having to fend off a furious late charge from the Cats.
As the game neared its climax, Geelong’s Brad Close seemed to have delivered a game-changing goal, pulling the Cats within a kick of St Kilda. However, a contentious video review overturned the decision, declaring that the ball had touched St Kilda player Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera before Close scored. Wanganeen-Milera's pivotal defensive effort not only preserved the victory for the Saints but highlighted his crucial role throughout the match, marked by an impressive seven intercepts.
Reflecting on the victory, St Kilda’s Jack Higgins, who scored four goals, expressed disbelief at how close Geelong came to completing their comeback. "Can’t believe it, I thought (Geelong) were coming," he shared with Fox Sports, underscoring the high stakes of the match.
For St Kilda, their win was a bright spot amidst adversity, having lost Liam Stocker to concussion before half-time, adding to their growing injury list. Despite this setback, Higgins was flanked by strong performances from teammates including Mason Wood, Marcus Windhager, Jack Sinclair, Mitch Owens, and Lance Collard—all contributing two goals each. Jack Macrae shined in the midfield with 35 disposals, alongside nine clearances and ten score involvements, playing a pivotal part in St Kilda’s scheme.
Meanwhile, Windhager made headlines by significantly limiting Geelong's Max Holmes, who only managed one disposal in the first term and just five in the second. Amanda will be meticulously observed as they prepare to meet Richmond at Marvel Stadium next week for an opportunity to improve their record to 2-1.
The Cats, on the other hand, face a tight schedule as they ready themselves for a rescheduled clash against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba. Geelong currently stands at 1-1 for the season, and during the matchup against St Kilda, they encountered several injury concerns. Notably, Patrick Dangerfield may face scrutiny from the match review officer due to a high elbow incident involving Ryan Byrnes.
Additionally, Geelong’s Tom Stewart suffered a knee injury early in the match but has since been cleared of serious damage, with scans on March 24 revealing no major injuries. Geelong’s football manager, Andrew Mackie, stated, "In positive news, scans on Monday morning have ruled out any serious injury to Tom's right knee. With two training sessions remaining before we head to Brisbane, Tom will be closely monitored throughout the week and will be a test to play against the Lions on Saturday night."
Stewart’s health will be closely monitored as Geelong seeks to rebound against the reigning premiers, who are currently 2-0. Bailey Smith, who missed the St Kilda match with a calf issue, may also be in contention for the Brisbane game, adding to the Cats' depth.
Further context came from Essendon, who faces their challenges as well. Youngster Elijah Tsatas has been sidelined for at least one game following surgery for a finger injury sustained while still managing a commendable 25 disposals during a recent match against Adelaide. Coach Brad Scott noted, "This was a fairly innocuous one but he was able to play in a game under some duress and still perform well."
Additionally, Essendon defender Jordan Ridley is expected to return from concussion protocols, while their star midfielder Darcy Parish must prove his fitness at the VFL level before rejoining the team.
As the weekend approaches, the anticipation for the Western Bulldogs clash with Carlton is palpable, with the Bulldogs looking to regain key players such as Liam Jones and James O'Donnell. However, the club faces uncertainties around Adam Treloar, who has encountered another setback with his calf injury. Treloar's timeline for return remains unclear as he continues to build the continuity in his training.
The AFL season is shaping up to be thrilling, and with key matches on the horizon, both fans and teams alike are eager to see how events unfold.
