ST KILDA has snatched a famous three-point victory from the jaws of defeat and claimed the scalp the club so desperately wanted by downing League leaders Geelong in a thrilling clash at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
In a nailbiting final term, St Kilda came back from nine points down at the 18-minute mark thanks to a miraculous soccer off the ground by Jack Steven, after Jade Gresham's stunning snap from the pocket.
For the final five-and-a-half minutes the Cats surged in search of the match-winning goal, but the Saints held on grimly for an epic 14.9 (93) to 13.12 (90) triumph.
Geelong had numerous chances in the dying stages, repeatedly pounding the ball inside 50, but St Kilda's defence stood firm, forcing a stoppage in the frantic last seconds and the Saints celebrated wildly as the final siren sounded.
After a stunning opening half, it was nothing less than the Saints deserved, with Alan Richardson's developing outfit withstanding Geelong's inevitable and ferocious six-goal third-quarter comeback.
It was the first time this season the St Kilda has beaten a top eight team, and was arguably the greatest win in Richardson's 58 games in charge, with the victory lifting the Saints to a 6-7 win-loss record.
ST KILDA 4.2 8.6 12.8 14.9 (93)
GEELONG 1.4 4.6 10.9 13.12 (90)
GOALS
St Kilda: Minchington 3, Wright 2, Newnes 2, Weller 2, McCartin, Bruce, Membrey, Gresham, Steven
Geelong: McCarthy 3, Hawkins 3, Kersten, Lonergan, Dangerfield, Menzel, Murdoch, Blicavs, Motlop
BEST
St Kilda: Steven, Ross, Riewoldt, Dunstan, Minchington, Gresham, Weller
Geelong: Selwood, Dangerfield, Henderson, Blicavs, Taylor, Guthrie, McCarthy
INJURIES
St Kilda: Armitage (corked calf), Wright (shoulder)
Geelong: McCarthy (ankle)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Farmer, Findlay, Fleer, Mollison
Official crowd: 28,745 at Etihad Stadium
