Australian Football

Match Report

Sunday's match at Docklands between St Kilda and Brisbane provided the Saints' social media department with a chance to have a bit of fun, with posts prior to the game announcing that the club was only 248 points away from playing in finals. And while it was technically true (a 248-0 win would indeed have allowed the Saints to displaced North in the eight), it was of course never a realistic proposition.

What was within the realms of possibility, though, was St Kilda defeating Brisbane by a large enough margin to send the Lions to the bottom of the ladder and 'award' them the wooden spoon. And with the Saints taking early control and extending their lead more or less continuously throughout the match, that seemed a likely result for much of the afternoon. But in a high-scoring match, Brisbane did enough in the last quarter to keep its percentage above the 61.0 line, condemning Essendon to the spoon. 

An achievement of some small degree, it was not enough to prevent the Brisbane Lions board coming out the following day and announcing that coach Justin Leppitsch had been "released from his contract", corporate-speak for "sacked", after three less than inspiring seasons at the helm. The club will now begin the search for a new person to coming in and take the Lions to something approaching their former glory. 

While the events surrounding Brisbane were newsworthy, St Kilda's achievement, and particularly that of its skipper Nick Riewoldt, playing his final game as captain, was one of great merit. The Saints' opposition was clearly not of the highest order, but their thrashing of the Lions with four quarters of free-flowing, attacking and skilful football provided their fans and opposition clubs with a clear indication of a team on the rise, one which seems certain to figure in top eight calculations in 2017. 

Riewoldt, at nearly 34 years of age the oldest player on the ground with the exception of Sam Fisher, was by far the best player on the ground. He took an almost unbelievable 21 marks and kicked nine goals, his unmatched work ethic one that would put many younger AFL players to shame. While Riewoldt will cede the leadership role next year, his performance on Sunday suggests that he could go on for several seasons yet, not just a bit-part player as the Saints transition to youth, but as one who could yet play a pivotal role as the club builds towards another assault on a premiership.

The match itself followed a fairly predictable script, the Lions showing some early fight in kicking the first two goals before St Kilda gradually took control. The Saints led by 13 points at the first break, and extended the margin more or less continuously as the match wore on. The margin was 29 at the half, 45 at the last end-change and 58 points when the final siren brought the season to a close for both sides. 

While Riewoldt stood head and shoulders above all others on the field, Tom Rockliff was an outstanding player for the vanquished Lions, collecting 37 touches and kicking two goals.

Supporters of both clubs will eagerly await the 2017 season, but for significantly different reasons. St Kilda fans will spend the summer feeling very optimistic about a strong showing in 2017, while Brisbane fans will be hoping that a change of coach will bring with it a change of fortune, the Lions having finished 16th, 16th and 17th in Leppitsch's three seasons at the helm. 

GOALS
St Kilda: Riewoldt 9; Lonie, Bruce 3; Wright, Membrey 2; Newnes, Steven, White, Gilbert, Geary, Armitage
Brisbane: Walker 3; Dawson, Mathieson, Rockliff 2; Zorko, Rich, Hanley, Merrett, Keays, Bell

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
St Kilda: Riewoldt, Steven, Roberton, Ross, Montagna, Lonie, Acres
Brisbane: Rockliff, Zorko, Cutler, Martin

BEST - THE AGE
St Kilda: Riewoldt, Ross, Newnes, Montagna, Steven
Brisbane: Rockliff, Cutler, Zorko, Rich, Mathieson

INJURIES
St Kilda: Savage (corked left hip), White (right arm), Geary (ribs)
Brisbane: Nil

UMPIRES: Fisher, Deboy, Fleer

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Fox Footy

COMMENTATORS: Sandy Roberts, Jason Dunstall, Danny Frawley, Cameron Mooney