Jack in the box digs Saints out of a hole
A MATCH-WINNING performance from Jack Steven has helped St Kilda to survive a major scare from AFL upstarts Brisbane, downing the Lions by 25 points at Etihad Stadium.
The lacklustre Saints went to sleep in yesterday’s third quarter, giving up three straight goals and the lead before Steven stepped up to secure a 16.11 (107) to 12.10 (82) victory.
Brisbane looked to be on the verge of a famous openinground victory when Tom Bell, No.1 draft pick Cameron Rayner and star recruit Charlie Cameron hit the scoreboard in quick succession.
But Steven booted two goals in two minutes on the stroke of three-quarter time to snatch back momentum and the lead for the Saints, who ran away in the final term.
Steven finished with 34 disposals, reigning best and fairest Seb Ross was exceptional and Jade Gresham and Josh Bruce each slotted three majors.
Ruckman Stefan Martin (42 hit-outs, 19 disposals) and skipper Dayne Beams starred for a Brisbane side that stands to be much-improved from last year’s wooden spoon finish.
The off-season addition of Cameron, Rayner and former Hawthorn skipper Luke Hodge is already paying dividends.
Cameron slotted three goals, Rayner made a dynamic start to his AFL career and Hodge (25 disposals) showed his enduring class while marshalling the Lions backline.
The Saints did not look like a team on the way to the finals and were smashed at the stoppages and contested possessions.