Hits keep coming for Saints
INJURY- HIT St Kilda have been left counting the cost of a 47- point AFL away defeat at the hands of Geelong.
Saints defender Dylan Roberton was taken to hospital for assessment after he collapsed during the second quarter of the Cats’ 15.13 ( 103) to 7.14 ( 56) win yesterday.
Roberton lined up outside the centre square after a Geelong goal and fell to the ground untouched as he jogged into the square after the bounce. He was able to get to his feet after about 30 seconds, walked from the ground unaided and was taken to Geelong’s Epworth Hospital for tests.
St Kilda were left with two fit players on the bench in the second half after ruckman Rowan Marshall was concussed.
Geelong also lost Cory Gregson ankle injury in the first half.
It was a welcome return to the winners’ list for the Cats after two losses.
Tom Hawkins was held goalless by Nathan Brown, but Daniel Menzel finished with a game- high five goals, the Geelong forward booting four of those majors in a row.
With injured Gary Ablett looking on, youngster Brandan Parfitt stepped up with an eye- catching 28- possession, three- goal game.
Making his 143rd appearance as skipper, Joel Selwood overtook Cats legend Reg Hickey as the club’s longest- serving captain.
Patrick Dangerfield had 25 disposal and Zach Tuohy 29. Luke Dunstan, Jarryn Geary and Jack Steven had 26 for the Saints. to an THURINGOWA Bulldogs put in a dogged effort to chase down the University Hawks and stay in touch with the competition leaders.
Bulldogs’ Lachlan O’Dwyer and Reiley Guest scored four majors each to help their side make a second half comeback, winning 13.11.89 — 9.5.59.
The Hawks took charge early with a narrow four point lead in the first quarter ( 4.0.24 — 3.2.20) which they increased to 12 points by the second ( 7.3.45 — 5.3.33), but the Bulldogs’ young side outran the Hawks in the second half.
Bulldogs’ coach Chris Butcher said youth helped his side run away eventual winners, with 11 of his 22 players having recently moved up through the club’s junior ranks.
While the Bulldogs fielded a younger team at Riverway Stadium on Saturday, Butcher made sure fresh players got a run at crucial stages in “a very physical game”.
“I think our rotations really came to play,” Butcher said.
The Bulldogs have a bye this week and will next play the Northern Beaches Suns in Round 4.
Butcher said the Bulldogs would be drilled in more game situations on their week off.
After Round 2 the Bulldogs sit just below the Hermit Park Tigers with two wins apiece.
The Tigers thrashed the Suns 23.16.154 — 1.5.11 on Saturday.