Wood’s goal-kicking on the run was a highlight for the Saints, as was Seb Ross’ tireless performance with 32 possessions, while Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage and Dayne Zorko were too much for St Kilda for much of the night, although Zorko and Neale granted some needless free kicks in the second half.
Dayne Zorko and Sebastian Ross vie for possession.Credit:AFL Pictures
Fagan confirmed McCluggage had spent the day back home in Warrnambool attending the funeral of his grandmother before driving back to Melbourne and playing.
“He wanted to play, I was a little worried he could be risking a soft-tissue injury,” Fagan said.
“I desperately wanted to play and put on a good show.”
“He’s a pretty mature young man, he would have wanted to play for his grandmother so good on him.”
The Saints also lost running defender Jimmy Webster to a hamstring injury, with medical sub Zak Jones coming into the game for him at quarter-time.
One thing that will have the Lions smiling was the performance of forward Eric Hipwood, whose return from a knee reconstruction continues to take shape. They will need him at his best come the finals, while Daniel Rich’s run and poise in defense was exceptional as was the toughness of Gardiner in his 150th game.
Brad Crouch could be in hot water for his bump on Darcy Gardiner.Credit:Getty Images
Crouch’s season hangs in balance
As some on Twitter joked, perhaps Saints midfielder Brad Crouch should start booking his off-season holiday after his late bump on Lions defender Darcy Gardiner in the second quarter.
Gardiner kicked the ball downfield and was collected by Crouch from the side, with the 150-gamer crashing hard into the ground and appearing to be hurt. But he managed to get up and be cleared to continue by Brisbane’s medical staff.
Regardless of Gardiner’s health, the replays looked pretty damning for Crouch, with a two-game ban meaning he would miss the final round and the Saints’ first final, should they make it.
Zorko caught out by Higgins
Lions captain Dayne Zorko was caught out by the ever cheeky Jack Higgins in the third term when the Saints’ forward was lining up a shot from goal. Higgins motioned like he was about to play on and Zorko, who was on the mark, moved in response, which saw him called for a 50-meter penalty for moving on the mark. The “stand rule” has done great things for allowing attacking players more room to move this season, but a situation like Zorko’s will raise a few questions. The golden rule clearly is that players can’t move at all on the mark until play on is called. Such a play could prove very costly in a final match.
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Lions their own worst enemy
Is there a side in the AFL more frustrating than the Lions? Their wasteful kicking for goal hurt them throughout the night, including six shots for goal which registered no score at all. More concerning was some of their turnovers and brain fades, especially late in the third term when the Saints regained the momentum and then the lead. The Lions have the talent to challenge for the premiership but whether they have the poise is still in doubt.
BRISBANE LIONS 3.2 7.6 8.8 12.9 (81)
ST KILDA 3.1 4.2 9.7 9.12 (66)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Rayner 4, Daniher 2, Hipwood 2, Cameron, McStay, McCarthy, McCluggage.
St Kilda: Wood 4, Membrey 3, Higgins 2.
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Rich, Rayner, McCluggage, Neale, Hipwood, Zorko.
St Kilda: Wood, Ross, Sinclair, Crouch, Marshall, Membrey.
umpires: Power, Gavine, Meredith.
CROWD: 22,211 at Marvel Stadium.