Saints find scoring range at right time - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Saints find scoring range at right time

By Adam Cooper 08/08/2010 07:31:50 PM Comments (0)

St Kilda all but secured the AFL double chance after re-gaining their scoring edge in a 94-point thrashing of Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

After weeks of directing too many scoring attempts through Nick Riewoldt, the Saints had 13 goal kickers and posted their biggest total of the season in a 23.13 (151) to 8.9 (57) rout.

Riewoldt still kicked four majors but was not the only target, as Stephen Milne also kicked four, Adam Schneider booted three and set up a handful of others and ruckman Ben McEvoy chipped in with two.

The win moved the Saints (third, 54 points) to within half a game of second-placed Geelong and should secure them the double chance as they are a game-and-a-half clear of fifth-placed Fremantle with three rounds left.

Western Bulldogs (fourth, 52 points) also entrenched their position in the top four with an eight-point triumph over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

The Bulldogs went a win ahead of the Dockers on the ladder with a gruelling 8.13 (61) to 7.11 (53) in driving rain in Adelaide.

Saints coach Ross Lyon said his side was not yet safe in the top four, although he was happy with the scoring boost and better effort after two defeats and a draw in the previous three games.

"It looked more like the St Kilda football team we've come to know over the last year-and-a-half," Lyon said.

"It will fuel our belief and there's obviously some big boys whacking around out there that we're all trying to bridge the gap."

St Kilda's only concern was hamstring tightness suffered by ruckman Michael Gardiner, who spent most of the second half off the ground.

Melbourne kept alive their hopes of reaching the finals with a 16.13 (109) to 11.14 (80) win over Richmond at the MCG on Sunday.

The Demons remain in 10th spot, but are only a game behind eighth-placed Hawthorn, their opponent next weekend.

The fourth-placed Western Bulldogs will complete round 19 against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Sunday night.

Collingwood's 22-point win over Geelong at the MCG on Saturday night moved the Pies a game-and-a-half clear of the Cats and should be enough to secure the minor premiership.

The Magpies proved they could more than match it with the reigning premier, as they controlled three quarters and claimed a 144-102 win in contested disposals.

Sydney's 44-point win over Hawthorn at the SCG on Saturday moved the Swans to seventh spot and left the Hawks wobbly after two defeats and a draw from their past three games.

Carlton (sixth) also strengthened their place in the eight by thrashing Essendon by 76 points at the MCG on Friday night thanks to a 10-goal last quarter.

North Melbourne kept themselves alive by thrashing fifth-placed Fremantle by 54 points at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The Kangaroos are in ninth spot, half a game outside the eight, but have a tough run home.

The Brisbane Lions all but condemned West Coast to the wooden spoon with a five-point win at Subiaco Oval on Saturday night.

Jonathan Brown's fifth goal was the winner for the Lions, whose victory was just their second in 15 rounds.

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