The AFL video review system is in the spotlight again after a close call in New Zealand
Sydney's Mike Pyke and St. Kilda's Ben McEvoy lock horns. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph
ST KILDA made history last night. Unfortunately their season has now been consigned to the same status.
The Saints broke new ground as the first team to host an international premiership match, and they used the occasion to display heart and determination in short supply at times this year.
First they beat the AFL's in-and under specialists at their own game early on, then they kick-started a last term comeback that captivated the crowd of 22,546 Wellington fans.
Yet by the end of a night in which Sydney just did what they do best - stop an opponent in their tracks, surge, and stifle a late charge - the Saints were still 1-4 and out of the finals race.
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This was not quite the game to showcase everything that is glorious about the AFL, with the game at times more rugby than the aerial pinpong non-converts have accused it of resembling.
Still, with Wellington abuzz to the sounds of the AFL for a week and Westpac Stadium two-thirds full last night, it was a mighty promising start.
For the first and last quarters St Kilda showed everything coach Scott Watters had demanded, out Sydney-ing Sydney through the efforts of Nick Riewoldt (27 touches) and Lenny Hayes (eight tackles, 11 clearances).
Sydney's Jarrad McVeigh and St. Kilda's Clinton Jones go in hard. Picture: Hillyard Philip Source: The Daily Telegraph
Then just as Sydney and Anzac Medallist Dan Hannebery seemed certain to lock down the game as they have so often at their SCG fortress, the Saints came alive again.
From 26 points down at the last break, the kids finally began matching the work ethic of the older brigade.
By the time Leigh Montagna's silky goal from deep in the pocket had reduced the margin to ten points, the Westpac Stadium crowd was rocking for the first time.
Shane Mumford's goal in time on iced the contest for Sydney, but given the fleet of kids the Saints carried in their line-up there was no disgrace in the loss.Not only did the Saints fight to the end, they did it with a side including first-gamers Brodie Murdoch and Josh Saunders, as well as Tom Lee (one game), Seb Ross (two) and Nathan Wright (two) all playing last night.
All of them showed glimpses at times, and while Riewoldt (31), Hayes (33) and Montagna (29) clearly the club's best three players, it seems St Kilda supporters are prepared to come along for what could be a rocky ride.
Sydney's Adam Goodes fends off St. Kilda's Nathan Wright. Picture: Hillyard Philip Source: The Daily Telegraph
The good news was those elder statesman led from the front all night, Riewoldt running himself to exhaustion and inspiring fellow veterans in Sam Gilbert into some rousing first-half action.
Sydney just absorbed St Kilda's best blows, then got on with the job of rebounding from that humbling loss to Geelong last week.The old stagers took time to warm to the contest, but soon midfield stars Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebury and Jarrad McVeigh were dominating the clinches.
Luke Parker belied the slippery conditions to kick two critical goals in a low-scoring match, and Kieren Jack's 13 tackles showcased his rugby childhood.
St Kilda had the first five inside 50s and all the momentum, and could so easily have led by three goals in an inkling.
Yet an interchange infraction to Ahmed Saad gifted Josh Kennedy a long-rang goal and then Jarryn Geary's long bomb seemed to have crossed the goal line before video reviews from a shocking TV angle handed Ted Richards the mark.
Sydney's Mike Pyke crunches Justin Koschitzke after taking strong mark. Picture: Hillyard Philip Source: The Daily Telegraph
Yet with such inexperience in this St Kilda side - and Sydney containing so many flint-hard matchwinners, the Swans inevitably too control.
They would pile on the pressure - and 28 of the next 41 inside 50s - through a combination of brilliance, luck and St Kilda mistakes.
Ben McGlynn was gifted a goal-line goal when Gilbert could not force the ball through, a controversial push-in-the-back call on Tony Armstrong won Kieren Jack another, and the brilliant veteran Jude Bolton capped off another sure-handed display with a third.
From the main break, with St Kilda ten points down and battling, it looked like getting ugly.But St Kilda's rousing finish ensured that even if they remain locked on only win, nearly everyone went home happy last night.
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