St Kilda will leave Victoria as one of the AFL’s in-form teams after downing a slow-starting Carlton by 18 points on Thursday night
As Melbourne-based teams prepare to relocate to interstate quarantine hubs, the Saints produced another scintillating display under the roof at Marvel Stadium.
After taking care of reigning premiers Richmond last week, St Kilda came out firing with an attacking seven-goal to two first-half to set-up the 11.7 (73) to 8.7 (55) victory.
Despite some brief Blues resistance in the third quarter, they left themselves too much to do and St Kilda kicked away again early in the final term.
Full of off-season recruits under new coach Brett Ratten, the Saints have rectified last year’s woes in front of goals and are playing an exciting brand of football AFL supporters are crying out for.
Bright young forward Max King converted two solid contested marks during a promising first-half, with former Tiger Dan Butler again creating havoc inside-50 to continue his electric start with his new club.
The Saints were buoyed by returning skipper Jarryn Geary slotting multiple majors for just the second time in his 191-game career.
Dashing defender Ben Long brought down two extraordinary marks; one courageous grab running back with the flight of the ball and the other a high-flying Mark of the Year contender.
In a much-anticipated clash between two of the AFL’s big improvers, it was a familiar tale for the Blues who continued their serious inconsistency within games.
Despite using the ball better and putting in a more determined effort after half-time, David Teague’s team left their run far too late, ensuring all three of their defeats this year have come following disastrous first halves.
Co-captain Patrick Cripps, veteran Kade Simpson and Jack Martin were Carlton’s best in a trying night for the Blues.
The only downer for the Saints was a hamstring injury to veteran midfielder Dan Hannebery, who has a problematic history with soft-tissue injuries.
St Kilda move to 3-2, while the result leaves the Blues with a 2-3 record.
