St Kilda

2022 - 3 - 27

Post cover — Image courtesy of "St Kilda FC"

King and Higgins deliver as Saints seal win in the west (St Kilda FC)

MAX KING and Jack Higgins have produced an inspired third-quarter burst to help lift St Kilda to a 10-point win over Fremantle at Optus Stadium.

St Kilda had 2.7 to their name at the break, however, it was the Higgins and King show in the third quarter as Fremantle lost its way. Turnovers from Fremantle duo Hayden Young and Jordan Clark gifted the Saints two quick goals early in the second term, but the Dockers' efficiency up forward ensured they entered half-time with a 12-point buffer. King, who took a strong mark with six minutes remaining in the match to kick the sealer, finished with four goals and four contested marks in a match-winning display. Dockers ruckman Sean Darcy limped off early in the second half with a right ankle injury, and he was eventually subbed out after making a brief return to the field. Higgins kicked three goals for the quarter himself, with the onslaught helping overturn a 13-point deficit and set up the 9.11 (65) to 8.7 (55) win. King tallied just two disposals in the first half of Sunday's match, but he burst to life in the third term when he booted three goals in the space of 132 seconds of actual game time.

Saints hang on against Dockers for first win at Optus Stadium (AFL)

King had been missing in action through the first half but switched on to become the potential matchwinner St Kilda so desperately needs him to be, finishing with four majors, as did Higgins. Bradley Hill was exceptional against his former side and Brad ...

It's been a slow and calculated rebuild at Moorabbin, with a mix of high draft picks and carefully targeted trades brought in as St Kilda mounts its ladder ascent, but the success of the exercise has understandably been questioned. And let's face it, if half a game can get them there, imagine what this side could be with King on fire for the full four quarters. With skipper and dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe on the sidelines, veteran forward Michael Walters struggling for form and ruckman Sean Darcy cursed by injuries, Fremantle is seriously lacking star power. It's a big ask to carry a team's hopes on the shoulders of a 21 year old, but if the Saints are to play finals they need their potential matchwinner to become the real thing in a consistent fashion. The four-goal second-half haul from Max King was the impetus St Kilda needed to get into gear, as teammates found someone to kick to and Dockers defenders someone to worry about. Rory Lobb has his moments but not his days, and Matt Taberner will be a handy inclusion when he returns, but again, he isn't one to turn a match on its head.

Brayshaw on third quarter drop offs (Fremantle Dockers)

Andy Brayshaw believes 'basic fundamentals' let Fremantle down against St Kilda, in Freo's first AFL home game of the season.

“It’s a disappointing loss, we definitely weren’t at our best and there’s definitely a lot to improve on,” Brayshaw said. “It’s definitely something we’re going to review and hopefully, improve on going forward.” “It’s definitely something we’re going to be looking at,” Brayshaw said.

Saint's 'coming of age' showing; Dockers sweat on star with crunch ... (Fox Sports)

Saint's 'coming of age' showing; Dockers sweat on star with crunch derby looming: 3-2-1.

They haven’t had the lead for a long time, but they are slaughtering Fremantle in every department bar goalkicking, which is ironic given who they’re playing against.” The loss will sting, but you get the feeling both Brayshaw and Young will be at the forefront of many a victory in the future for the Dockers. Max King is a bonafide star of the competition at just 21 years of age and is set for a huge season in front of the big sticks. When the Saints were down in 2021, a lot of the doom and gloom centred on the wayward kicking of Max King and Jack Higgins. While the Saints threatened in their forward half, it was the Dockers who maximised their chances, with a goal to Michael Walters making it three straight while the Saints could manage only four behinds. The Saints started the match looking far more potent and alert than they did in their loss to Collingwood, but missed a couple of early opportunities in their forward half.

Max-imum impact: St Kilda young gun spurs his side to victory in the ... (The Age)

An explosive third-quarter burst by the combination of Max King and Jack Higgins saw St Kilda post their first win of the season.

With Darcy out, the Saints took a three-goal lead into the last change. Higgins – superb with his defensive pressure as much as his attacking spark – also bobbed up with three for the term. King had been unsighted in the first half, but Hill jammed the ball down his throat for the first of three in five minutes. But the Saints couldn’t capitalise on their advantage in field position, and Rory Lobb and Brayshaw restored a 13-point lead to the Dockers at half-time. But they had plenty to do, with St Kilda dominating entries inside 50 – inaccuracy and untidy delivery into attack limiting them to just four behinds for the first quarter. King and Higgins kicked four goals each, seven of them in the second half, to be the heroes in a side with only three goalkickers.

Fremantle Dockers coach Justin Longmuir says St Kilda loss 'one of ... (The West Australian)

Fremantle is facing a nervous wait to learn the severity of an ankle injury to ruckman Sean Darcy ahead of Sunday's western derby as coach Justin Longmuir ...

“Not only are you losing the leadership you are losing really good players. In the last quarter we got a lot right but it was too late.” It’s a unique situation we find ourselves in because in my time we’ve always had one of them there,” Longmuir said. The Dockers lost the centre clearances 14-4 and that midfield control allowed St Kilda to dominate field position. Darcy injured his right ankle during the third quarter and while he attempted to return, was subbed out of the contest at three-quarter time. When you can’t do that it makes it hard to execute other parts of your game.