Saints Blew Their Chance

St Kilda had Geelong on the ropes.

At half time in yesterday’s epic Grand Final, the Saints had racked up 37 forward 50 entries to just 15. That’s the kind of statistic normally associated with a thrashing.

Yet they lead by just a goal, thanks to costly misses by Stephen Milne and Andrew McQualter and two from the normally reliable Adam Schneider.

You can’t afford to miss those kinds of chances in a Grand Final.

Geelong learn that lesson in similar fashion 12 months ago – they kicked 11.23 last year.
They weren’t going to make the same mistake twice.

Implored by their coach Mark Thompson – who captain Tom Harley would later reveal “hates losing” – to treat the game as if it was the last they would ever play, the Cats responded.

They won most of the key stats in the second half and you could argue they deserved the win based on what happened after half time.

Ross Lyon was full of praise for his charges, but admitted it might have been one that got away.
“We left the door ajar,” he said. Geelong burst through it.

Saints fans can take some small solace in knowing that they lost to one of the best teams of the last 20 years.

Not that that will erase the pain of the last 40 years for St Kilda. The wait goes on for a second premiership in their 113 year history, although they are better placed to win one now than ever before.

It is often said that you have to lose one before you win one. Geelong discovered that a year ago. If St Kilda can manage that in a year’s time, it will have been well deserved.

They will retain most of their list for next year, minus Max Hudghton who announced his retirement this afternoon. St Kilda’s problems will come in a year or two when one or both of Steven King and Michael Gardiner hang up the boots. Anyone can tell you that you can’t win a premiership without two good ruckmen.

The Saints’ premiership window is wide open. It can shut quicker than you think.