St Kilda completes perfect pre-season with JLT Series win against Western Bulldogs

The doom and gloom around St Kilda this year might have been overstated, with the Saints showing plenty as they saluted for the second time this pre-season. But what does a loss to fellow battlers mean for the Doggies?

There was a bit of feeling between the Saints and Dogs. Picture: Getty Images

The doom and gloom around St Kilda this year might have been overstated, with the Saints showing plenty as they saluted for the second time this pre-season.

Coming off a 25-point win over North Melbourne in their first JLT Community Series match, St Kilda scored a hard-fought 14-point triumph over the Western Bulldogs at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium.

Scores had been locked at three-quarter-time before the Saints surged to a 14.9 (93) to 12.7 (79) victory in a physical and high-pressure game.

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While pre-season games count for little, any wins will be welcomed by long-suffering St Kilda fans after a four-win 2018 season.

Jack Billings (25 disposals) and Jack Steele (25 disposals) both shone brightly, while forward Josh Bruce (two goals) and defender Dylan Roberton (24 disposals) continued to show positive signs after missing much of last year through injury.

The Bulldogs — who lost to Gold Coast Suns in their first pre-season match — won the clearance count and recorded 53 inside-50s — just two fewer than the Saints — but continue to struggle with getting scores on the board as they managed just 12 goals.

Tim Membrey celebrates a goal with his teammates. Picture: Getty Images

NAUGHTON SWITCH

Western Bulldogs might have found a solution to their lack of tall timber up forward, with young gun Aaron Naughton showing he can be prolific at either end of the ground.

The 195cm Naughton was targeted for numerous forward thrusts by the Bulldogs as he played a role as a lead-up full-forward and made the most of his opportunities as he kicked 3.1 from seven disposals.

A 2018 Rising Star nominee, Naughton kicked just two goals from 18 games last season, having spent the majority of his debut season in defence.

MARSHALL MAKES MARK

Rowan Marshall looks set to make St Kilda’s No. 1 ruck spot his own this season after impressing as he largely went about it alone against the Bulldogs.

The 201cm Marshall, who did not play the Saints’ first pre-season game, moved well around the ground and was too good for Bulldogs pairing Tim English and Jackson Trengove in the hitout department.

The 22-year-old — who has played just 13 AFL games — finished with 37 hitouts and also played his role around the ground as he gathered 18 disposals and five marks.

Fellow Saints ruckman Billy Longer remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, with Longer and rookie Lewis Pierce the only other recognised ruckmen on the club’s list.

Sam Lloyd will be a great addition for the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images

SOLID SIGNING

Sam Lloyd is already showing what a handy recruit he will be for the Western Bulldogs.

The former Tiger collected 17 disposals against Gold Coast Suns in his new side’s first pre-season match and shone even more against St Kilda with 18 disposals and three goals among an equal game-high nine score involvements.

Lloyd, who started his career as a forward, has developed into a versatile midfielder-forward as is sure to lock down a regular spot in the Bulldogs’ team this season.

The 29-year-old has played 57 AFL games since debuting in 2014.

STEVEN RETURNS

Reigning St Kilda best-and-fairest Jack Steven has returned to the club after taking a period of personal leave.

Steven was at Ballarat’s Mars Stadium on Sunday watching on as teammates took on the Western Bulldogs, some 12 days after the club announced he was stepping away to focus on his mental health and wellbeing.

Steven won his fourth club best-and-fairest in 2018 after averaging almost 27 disposals from 22 games.