AFL 2023 St Kilda v Gold Coast: Saints in rare air with 4-0 start for only eighth time in their history
The Saints have confirmed their class with their best start to a season since 2010, a year in which they played off in the decider, but their first genuine roadblock is just around the corner.
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The Saints are soaring and coach Ross Lyon is looking forward to the challenge of tackling Collingwood in a blockbuster finish next Sunday to the inaugural Gather Round in Adelaide.
The Saints maintained their unbeaten record with a dominant 53-point victory over the Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night in their best start to a season since 2010.
The last time the Saints stood alone atop the ladder was at the end of the home-and-away season in 2009, the year they lost to Geelong by 12 points in the grand final.
Lyon said he was not in the habit of making predictions. But he is delighted with how the Saints have started in his second tenure in charge at Moorabbin.
“I knew we would compete and I knew we would run and work and I thought we were putting together a really good system. But I think everyone thinks that, don’t they,” he said.
“We are going to get challenged. We are not going to go through undefeated. We understand that. But based on how we measure ourselves, we are pleased.”
Collingwood have won four of their past five clashes against St Kilda and will be seeking to rebound from a 33-point loss to Brisbane at the Gabba on Thursday night.
In the moments after their triumph over the Gold Coast, Lyon said he had pointed towards the task confronting them at Adelaide Oval next Sunday afternoon.
“We have already spoken about a big test. Collingwood on the rebound. But we are looking forward to that challenge,” he said.
“It is the last game of Gather Round. I’m sure plenty of (fans) will migrate over. I would love to see plenty of Saints fans there. I am sure the other mob will be there. It is exciting for us.”
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew was frustrated by his side’s lack of composure after quarter-time, but he attributed that partially to the ferocity of the pressure applied by St Kilda.
“St Kilda are very impressive. Very impressive. They have a really good system and their work rate is outstanding,” he said.
Such was St Kilda’s dominance against the Suns, Lyon took the opportunity to rest Rowan Marshall from early in the last term, perhaps mindful the Magpies are bereft of ruckmen.
Unfortunately they will add Jack Bytel, who was substituted into the match for Marshall, to their lengthy injury list after he damaged an ankle soon after taking to the field.
Saints hit straps with best start since 2010
St Kilda’s honeymoon reunion with Ross Lyon continues with the Saints recording a dominant 53-point triumph over the Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
A second quarter surge sparked by Jack Higgins helped the unbeaten Saints to their best start to a season since 2010, with their style of football potent and pleasing to watch.
St Kilda stand alone atop the ladder for the first time since the final round of 2009, a season Lyon coached them to a grand final in his first stint at Moorabbin.
The Saints put their ladder-leading status to the test against Collingwood at Adelaide Oval next Sunday in what shapes as a cracking conclusion to the inaugural Gather Round.
They boast the best percentage in the competition by far and, for now, there is nothing dour about this Lyon-coached team.
PRESSURE-BURNT SUNS
The Suns were competitive early and led at quarter-time by two points. But after Noah Anderson kicked the first goal of the second term, they were completely eclipsed.
There was genuine optimism on the Gold Coast at the start of the year that, with some good fortune, they were capable of playing finals for the first time in their history.
Their victory over the reigning premiers Geelong last week raised expectations, despite the Cats slow start to this year, but another false dawn looks likely.
The manner with which the Gold Coast wilted after quarter-time was extremely disappointing against a club that had 14 players listed as injured during the week.
LIFE IS A BEACH FOR HIGGINS
When Jack Higgins spots the Suns in the fixture, he would be excused for circling the date in the calendar and setting aside his board shorts, sunscreen and a towel.
For the past two years, the clash has proved a day at the beach for the lively small forward.
In Rd 5 last year, Higgins was arguably the difference when kicking five goals from 16 touches in the Saints’ 26-point triumph at Marvel Stadium.
After kicking four goals against Essendon last Saturday, the 24-year-old sparked the Saints second term surge when kicking three of their five straight goals to finish the quarter.
He added another couple in the last term and now averages more goals against the Suns than any other club.
WITTS WHACK A SLOW BURN
A blow sustained in the Suns opening round loss against the Swans was the cause for the late withdrawal of Gold Coast co-captain Jarrod Witts, who missed due to soreness.
The 30-year-old had not missed since resuming from a knee reconstruction that ruined his 2021 season. Despite the soreness, he notched 71 hitouts in his next two matches.
The break will freshen the Suns skipper up to face the Dockers double act of Sean Darcy and Luke Jackson in their Gather Round clash at Norwood Oval next Friday night.
His absence opened the path for Ned Moyle, who has shown good form in the VFL this season and is considered a talented prospect, to make his debut.
Against an experienced rival in Rowan Marshall, Moyle was competitive in rucking duels, but took until the second half to gain a possession.
Marshall was substituted in the last quarter to allow Jack Bytel a run.
Unfortunately for the young Saint, he lasted only a few minutes before injuring his ankle when tackled near the boundary line.
SCOREBOARD
St Kilda: 3.2 8.6 13.10 17.11 (113)
Gold Coast: 3.4 4.8 5.11 8.12 (60)
GOALS
St Kilda: Higgins 5, Caminiti 2, Hill 2, Owens 2, Windhager, Ross, Phillipou, Cordy, Butler, Sinclair
Gold Coast: King, Rosas, Anderson, Casboult, Jeffrey, Ainsworth, Sexton, Holman
BEST
St Kilda: Sinclair, Ross, Owens, Marshall, Higgins, Hill
Gold Coast: Anderson, Miller, Macpherson, Weller, Collins
INJURIES
St Kilda: Bytel (ankle)
Gold Coast: Witts (late withdrawal due to soreness)
VOTES
3. Jack Sinclair
2. Jack Higgins
1. Mitch Owens
Originally published as AFL 2023 St Kilda v Gold Coast: Saints in rare air with 4-0 start for only eighth time in their history
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