WEST COAST 12.12 (84) def ST KILDA 11.14 (80)
THE West Coast Eagles have kept their 2013 campaign alive with a thrilling four point win over St. Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The Saints had West Coast on the ropes early has they kicked the first four goals of the game before the Eagles returned fire and kicked the next three to trail by three points at the first break.
St. Kilda continued the pressure in the second quarter, mirroring what Richmond did last week to West Coast by winning the clearances despite losing the hit outs.
Both sides wasted opportunity in front of goal but a late major to Beau Maister looked to give St. Kilda a three goal lead heading into half time.
But that was before Jack Darling marked in a one on one contest with Dylan Robberton and with only seconds remaining to reduce the lead to 12 points.
West Coast opened goal kicking in the second half thanks to Andrew Embley, but Saints Nick Reiwolt and Trent Dennis-Lane answered back before Eric McKenzie’s first goal reduced the lead to single digits.
Ahmed Saad, who was back in the side after a spell in the reserves, kicked a late goal just before the three quarter time siren to give St. Kilda a 13 point lead heading into the last change.
The last quarter went back and forth, Matt Priddis goaled to level the score at the 13 minute mark and then followed up with another two minutes later to give West Coast their first lead of the game.
Milne kicked his fifth goal at the 17 minute mark after finding himself open in the forward half for St Kilda and the momentum shifted back to the Saints.
With the game on the line St. Kilda had an opportunity to bury the Eagles but Leigh Montanga missed running into an open goal.
Shannon Hurn bought the ball back into play after a costly set shot miss by Maister and when Matt Rosa pumped the ball forward towards the West Coast goal a race ensured between Maister and McKenzie.
Masiter lost his footing and hit the ground giving McKenzie an easy open goal and more importantly gave West Coast the lead and the game.
The win has retuned the Eagles into the top eight ahead of their bye next week with the win coming a crucial time given their up-coming games.
The Eagles have Hawthorn (away), Essendon (home), Adelaide (away), Fremantle (home) and Sydney (home) in the coming rounds.
West Coast went into the contest without Josh Kennedy who was a late withdrawal. The sides leading goal kicker was replaced by former Saint Jamie Cripps but according to Coach John Worsfold should be available for the clash with Hawthorn in a fortnight.
St. Kilda have a bye next week with their next match coming against Melbourne at the MCG on June 22.
Here are the highlights from the game:
ST KILDA 4.2 6.7 9.10 11.14 (80)
WEST COAST 3.5 4.7 7.9 12.12 (84)
GOALS
St Kilda: Milne 5, Maister 2, Stanley, Dennis-Lane, Riewoldt, Saad
West Coast: Darling 3, Priddis 2, Mackenzie 2, Embley, Naitanui, S. Selwood, Embley, Cox
BEST
St Kilda: Riewoldt, Montagna, Milne, Armitage, Maister
West Coast: S. Selwood, Darling, Priddis, Shuey
INJURIES
St Kilda: Wright (back) replaced in selected side by Saad, Hickey (foot) replaced in selected side by Saunders
West Coast: Kennedy (calf) replaced in selected side by Cripps
SUBSTITUTES
St Kilda: Jimmy Webster substituted out for Josh Saunders at three-quarter time
West Coast: Ashton Hams substituted out for Jamie Cripps in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Wenn, Armstrong
Official crowd: 23,795 at Etihad Stadium