St Kilda’s Jade Gresham kicks winning goal to steal remarkable comeback win over Gold Coast
FOR three quarters it appeared Alan Richardson’s time as St Kilda coach might be coming to an end. That was until his players rallied and pulled off a remarkable come-from-behind win courtesy of a goal kicked in the final minute at Metricon Stadium.
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ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson drew belief from his side’s fast finish against West Coast that it could overrun Gold Coast despite trailing by 31 points at the final change on Saturday night.
Saints players tore up Richardson’s coaching obituary with a 5.3 (33) to 0.0 (0) final quarter at Metricon Stadium, despite losing Jimmy Webster (adductor) and Bailey Rice (concussion).
The Saints kicked the final 12 scores with Daniel McKenzie and Jade Gresham snapping the last two goals to snatch an unlikely two-point victory after travelling 84 days without a win.
AS IT HAPPENED: ST KILDA RECORD REMARKABLE COME-FROM-BEHIND WIN
MATCH CENTRE: STATS AND SUPERCOACH SCORES FROM SUNS v SAINTS
“Our group has a lot of belief in their legs,” Richardson said.
“We kicked seven goals to one (against the Eagles) in the last quarter. When you have those sort of performances it certainly adds to belief.
“We think we are a really good, strong running group.”
The Saints won the clearances by 31 — the biggest differential Champion Data has ever recorded — with youngsters Gresham, McKenzie, Hunter Clark and Tim Membrey the final-quarter stars.
The Suns led by 39 points at the 24-minute-mark of the third term.
From there the Saints won disposals 112-61, contested possession 55-39, clearances 23-7, inside 50s 24-5 and scores 6.5 (41) to 0.0 (0).
The Suns have scored just two behinds from their past four final terms.
Richardson hugged staff members on the interchange bench on the final siren before embracing his players.
“There was a bit in it for the group,’’ he said.
“Not only is it just so satisfying when you haven’t won a game of footy for a while to get a win on the road, but to be able to play in such a strong way.
“When you have been somewhat undermanned and outplayed (that’s) a real testament to their character.”
Gresham said he “teed up” his stoppage goal with ruckman Billy Longer which put the Saints in front with 60 seconds remaining.
LIST CULL: MASSIVE CHANGES COMING TO SAINTS PLAYING LIST
“It was good to get on the end of it,” Gresham said.
“It’s been a tough few months, so it’s good to get back on the winner’s list.”
It was just the Saints’ fourth win from their past 21 matches. Midfield star Seb Ross said they focused on tackling.
“We laid 22 tackles in the first quarter and only eight in the second quarter,” Ross said.
“So the formula was easy for us — we had to ramp it up at the end there. We’re over the moon.”
New football boss Simon Lethlean — who has been in close contact with Nick Riewoldt this year — said yesterday said Richardson needed support.
“At this stage, my decision is that Alan’s our coach and he deserves in my opinion to be surrounded and supported with the best people to make him the best coach,” Lethlean told SEN.
“My focus is not to blame, it’s to surround and support and give him what he needs to be the coach he can. That’s my focus.”
Saints legend Nick Riewoldt predicted “fierce ramifications” if they lost leading into next week’s bye.
They lost Webster after just six minutes while Rice was stretchered off in the third term.
ST KILDA 3.2 4.6 6.11 11.14 (80)
GOLD COAST 4.2 9.7 11.12 11.12 (78)
HAMILTON’S BEST
Saints: Steven, Ross, Billings, Gresham, Carlisle, Armitage.
Suns: Weller, Lyons Sexton, Witts, Lynch, Harbrow.
GOALS
Saints: Battle 3, Membrey 2, McCartin 2, Gresham 2, Newnes, McKenzie.
Suns: Lynch 3, Sexton 3, Holman 2, Ainsworth, Lemmens, Ah Chee.
REPORTS
Nil.
INJURIES
Saints: Webster (adductor), Rice (concussion).
Suns: Bowes (quad).
UMPIRES
Haussen, Hosking, Ryan, Pannell.
CROWD
10,181 at Metricon Stadium.
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