Saints Complete Major Comeback to go 2-2 Against Determined Richmond
Gather Round rolled back to Norwood for the second time in three days when the Tigers took on the Saints in Round 4 of the AFL season. The Saints would run out victorious, 9.13.67 to Richmond's 9.6.60.
Josh Battle (25 disposals and 13 marks), and Jack Steele (33 disposals and 10 tackles), would lead the way for the Saints, while for the Tigers it was Dustin Martin (30 disposals and 5 clearances), and Shai Bolton (19 disposals and 4 goals), who were positive in defeat.
The game began very differently from how it would end. It took under 90 seconds for the Tigers to open their account for the afternoon, Maurice Rioli slotting the goal from about 40 meters out.
The Saints wouldn't learn their lesson; Richmond's "surge mentality" allowed Dustin Martin to pull a kick to Mykelti Lefau, who goaled. It saw Richmond lead 2.1.13 to 0.1.1, in the early stages of the game.
Shai Bolton's first was something else entirely. The West Australian hit the footy on the run, collected it and snapped from the boundary to give the fast starting Richmond a three goal lead.
The Quarter Time siren was followed by Tigers' applause, the Punt Road outfit leading 4.1.25 to 0.4.4. The Saints struggled against the Tigers’ ball use and ability to attack using the length of the ground. St Kilda themselves had been wasteful. They had only had one less scoring shot and three less inside 50s but were 21 points down.
The Saints’ second quarter was much better than their first. Repeat inside 50s and shots from Phillipou, King, and King again were offering the Saints faithful some positive signs. However, they weren't able to land a major.
After a quarter that had end to end footy, but very little scoring, it would be the Saints who would benefit with the quarters' first goal, Jack Higgins putting through the Saints first just one minute to half time. St Kilda would finally get some reward for their hard work.
The relief wouldn't last long however, and Jacob Koschitzke would slot a goal to give Richmond a 5.3.33 to 1.5.11 lead as the main break began.
Dustin Martin's 20 disposals to half time was offering Richmond a point of difference, his ball use led to multiple Richmond inside 50s. For the Saints, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's 14 disposals helped the cause.
The Saints started well in third quarter, but again weren't able to find any scoreboard damage. This was until Matthaes Phillipou collected the ball in the center of the ground. The resulting kick inside forward 50 found Tim Membrey, who snapped true.
A clever toe poke from Darcy Wilson found another major. The scoreboard now read 5.3.33 to 3.8.26, a seven point Richmond lead.
Caminiti would score again, delivering at the 13 minute mark to tie the game at 5.3.33 to 4.9.33.
With the game tied, Richmond needed a hero. It would be Dusty Martin and Shai Bolton linking up again. Martin's kick inside 50 was classy, but Bolton's kick took to the highlight reel. Shai's bouncing snap going through the big sticks to give Richmond a 6.3 to 4.9 advantage.
Josh Battle’s big day wasn’t only on the stats sheet, the defender pulling this dance move off, before sending the ball seep inside forward 50. The move drew comparisons to St Kilda’s now-assistant coach and 2010 Norm Smith Medalist, Lenny Hayes, when he pulled this off in Round 5 of 2012.
Max King's impossible snap gave the Saints a lead, while Owens' running goal opened up a seven point gap.
Bolton's fourth goal cut the margin to one, St Kilda's 6.10.46 to Richmond's 7.3.45.
King's mark in the centre of the square opened the transition for the Saints. Higgins finished off St Kilda's good work.
Three Quarter Time saw the Saints come from 22 points down at the half to lead by seven.
Goals to Marshall and Sonsie saw the seesawing contest continue to go from end to end, the margin back where it was at 3QT, Saints by seven.
Kane McAuliffe's first game ended with injury concerns, the hometown boy seen hobbling to the bench. After coming into the game as the medi-sub, he'd had four disposals. A twist of the ankle in a contest with Jack Sinclair was the root of the injury for the former North Adelaide junior, however he made it back onto the ground.
"He just tweaked his ankle, and came back on the ground late in the game," Adam Yze confirmed.
Bonner's goal gave the Saints a 14 point lead, before Tim Taranto's ball inside 50 saw Maurice Rioli cut the margin back to eight.
It wasn't enough in the end for Richmond, the Saints getting the job done to complete a massive comeback and gain another four points.