A late goal review has stopped Geelong’s massive comeback in its tracks, with St Kilda holding on to claim a 15.8 (98) to 13.13 (91) scalp for their first win of the AFL season.
The Saints led by eight goals early in the third term but had to contend with a fast-finishing Cats side under the Marvel Stadium roof on Saturday night.
Geelong had all the run and were within a kick when Brad Close was awarded a goal with just minutes left on the clock — until it was overturned.
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Close claimed the goal after appearing to beat Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera to a loose ball deep in the goal square.
Play was paused by the review official, who rolled through a variety of replays before a reverse angle proved definitive: the ball came off the Saints man’s boot.
St Kilda stood tall to the end, stopping almost everything Geelong threw at them to secure the victory.
Wanganeen-Milera’s defensive effort — he had initially tapped the ball towards goal without being at risk of giving away a free kick for a deliberate rushed behind — encapsulated a night where he was a constant thorn in the Cats’ side, recording seven intercepts.
The night belonged to the Saints, who lost Liam Stocker to concussion before half-time to add to their long injury list.
Jack Higgins led the way with four goals as five teammates — Mason Wood, Marcus Windhager, Jack Sinclair, Mitch Owens and Lance Collard — all snared two apiece.
“Can’t believe it, I thought (Geelong) were coming,” Higgins told Fox Sports.
Jack Macrae had nine clearances and 10 score involvements among his 35 disposals while Windhager blunted Max Holmes early, with the Cats speedster recording just one disposal in the opening term and five in the second.
The Saints will host Richmond at Marvel Stadium next week for the chance to move to a 2-1 record while Geelong will head up to Brisbane for their rescheduled clash with the Lions at the Gabba.
Cats skipper Patrick Dangerfield faces scrutiny from the match review officer over a high elbow that clipped Ryan Byrnes as he kicked the ball.
They will also sweat on veteran Tom Stewart’s fitness after he jammed his knee hard into the turf in the first quarter and was ruled out after attempting to return in the second term.
Ted Clohesy, promoted to the substitute role after Bailey Smith was a pre-game scratching, stepped into the breach for just his fourth AFL game — and kicked two goals from his 16 disposals.