St Kilda’s season still alive after tight win against West Coast

THIS was a match with major ramifications for both clubs but St Kilda ensured its season was still alive after a thrilling comeback win over West Coast.

Jack Billings celebrates his matchsealing goal. Picture: AAP

HE was hailed as one of St Kilda’s greatest players after last week announcing this ­season would be his last.

But more than glowing tributes, the farewell Nick Riewoldt and the Saints want more than anything is a return to ­finals football for their inspirational forward.

Striving for their first taste of finals in six years, the Saints kept alive their dream with a thrilling eight-point win over West Coast under the roof at Etihad Stadium.

It was a match with major ramifications.

The Saints came into the match in 11th position, a game plus percentage outside the top eight, with a loss threatening to kill off their season. The Eagles, a game ahead, were pushing to reclaim their position inside the eight.

After a hot run mid-season with four straight wins, the Saints’ charge had stalled on the back of losses to Essendon, Sydney and last round’s last-minute capitulation to Port Adelaide on the road.

Jack Billings is mobbed by teammates Jack Steven and Jack Newnes after his matchsealer. Picture: AAP

They needed a spark and maybe Riewoldt’s announcement was it.

The Saints held their nerve in a thrilling final quarter, with Jack Billings sealing the win with a set-shot goal in the last minute.

Clashes against Melbourne, North Melbourne and Richmond now await the Saints as they continue their finals fight.

The spotlight shone on Riewoldt, 34, as his farewell tour officially began.

But he finished the game on the bench after a head clash in the final term. He had one goal and 13 disposals.

The Saints’ generation next impressed, with Jack Steele starring with 26 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 11 tackles and two goals. Billings had 25 disposals and two goals.

Dylan Roberton marks in front of Mark LeCras and Jack Darling. Picture: Getty Images

In a positive sign for coach Alan Richardson, the Saints dominated the Eagles to win the contested-possession count 162 to 128.

After the Eagles kicked four straight to open a 22-point lead midway through the second term, Riewoldt emerged to kick his first goal to get the Saints back into the game.

His presence lifted in the third term, looking threatening each time he went near the ball.

Trailing by three points at the final change, it was do or die for the Saints.

Nick Riewoldt came off second best after a head clash. Picture: AAP

When the Eagles kicked three of the first four goals, they looked in control before the Saints hit back with four of the last five goals.

The farewell tour for Eagles midfielder Sam Mitchell also began, with the former Hawk among his team’s best with 23 disposals in his final regular season, and potentially final career, game in Melbourne.

Scoring machine Josh Kennedy booted five goals for the Eagles, bringing up his 500th career major along the way.

ST KILDA 3.2 7.5 10.7 15.13 (103)

WEST COAST 3.5 7.8 10.10 14.11 (95)

GOALS

Saints: Membrey 2, Bruce 2, Steele 2, Billings 2, Sinclair, Riewoldt, Acres, Newnes, Ross, Dunstan, Savage

Eagles: Kennedy 5, LeCras 3, Darling 2, McGovern, Karpany, Sheed, Cripps

INJURIES

Saints: Steven (hip), Newnes (eye), Riewoldt (concussion)

Eagles: Hurn (cut head)

Reports: Luke Dunstan (St Kilda) for tripping Jack Redden (West Coast) in the second quarter

Official crowd: 22,688 at Etihad Stadium