Sacked podcast: Grant Thomas says ground invasion hurt St Kilda’s chances of winning 2004 preliminary final

St Kilda begged the AFL to provide extra security for the 2004 preliminary final with Fraser Gehrig on the verge of 100 goals but Grant Thomas claims the denied request had dire consequences.

Fans flock on to the ground after St Kilda’s Fraser Gehrig kicks his 100th goal for the season during the 2004 preliminary final.

Grant Thomas says the AFL refused St Kilda adequate ­protection for Fraser Gehrig’s 100th goal in the dramatic ­moment that turned the 2004 preliminary final.

Gehrig kicked his 100th goal of the season 11 minutes into the game against Port ­Adelaide at Football Park.

Port had barely touched the ball as the Saints led 2.2 to no score.

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The forward was rushed from the field and St Kilda players begged fans to leave the ground after thousands ran on.

Port coach Mark Williams said his side might have ­struggled to get back into the game without the long break to clear the fans.

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Commentators at the game highlighted the lack of security, with one stating: “It’s ­become very evident that even though there were 20 or 30 security guards, it’s not enough.”

Saints coach Thomas told the Sacked podcast the club had pleaded with the AFL for more security to clear the ground quickly, but it had fallen on deaf ears.

“That was weird. We asked the AFL for protection that night and they declined,’’ Thomas said.

A dejected Robert Harvey in the background as Port players Roger James and Chad Cornes celebrate their win.

“I look back on it now and it’s just funny. If you stand up to them, they just get you.

“It was longer than (10 minutes. It felt like) 12 to 15 from memory.

“The stats are that we had 19 inside-50s to four in the first quarter for 4.4 and they had four inside-50s for four goals and kicked their four goals after Fraser kicked his 100th.

“So it definitely stopped the momentum of the game and we had our foot on their throat.

“We had another three quarters to win the game. But momentum is an unbelievable thing. We had shut the crowd up, and that was the thing that brought it back to a nil-all ­contest at that point in time.

“I probably could have coached better to give the guys a better chance to win in a few areas, but it is what it is.

“We had our chances in two preliminary finals in a row and didn’t take them.

“Both teams we lost to went on to win it, but we were a little unfortunate.”

Port Adelaide roared back into the game and denied St Kilda’s final surge as Shaun Burgoyne dragged down Brent Guerra as he tried to soccer a goal. Port won by six points.