Saints still in finals hunt after an upset
ST Kilda have kept their slim finals hopes alive after defeating the Sydney Swans 14.9 (93) to 10.4 (64) in a major upset at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
Jack Higgins led the way for the Saints – booting an equal career-high four goals and making amends for his wayward 1.6 effort last time these teams met in Round 12.
It snapped a five-game winning streak for the Swans and deals a significant blow to their top four chances, especially given Port Adelaide won the Showdown.
The Saints (9-11) now sit in 11th position on the ladder and half a game outside the top eight, while the Swans sit fifth and could drop to sixth if the Brisbane Lions beat Fremantle on Sunday.
Errol Gulden booted the first goal of the game after Tom Papley centred a kick from the pocket.
St Kilda’s Cooper Sharman was quick to respond at the other end of the ground with a brilliant goal from a tight angle to even the scoreboard, while Jack Higgins made it two in a row with a crafty snap around the body.
“That’s a perfect start for St Kilda,” Saints great Leigh Montagna said on Fox Footy.
Matched up on Callum Wilkie, Buddy Franklin booted his first goal of the day from point-blank range after getting awarded a dubious free kick. Max King kicked the next major after taking a big contested mark before giving it to his opponent Dane Rampe. The Swans dominated clearances 7-0 in the first quarter but weren’t as effective as the Saints inside 50, who kicked 5.0.