Saints fall short after late Cats surge 

08/04/2024

After gaining the early ascendency, the fourth quarter proved the difference as the Saints go down by 18-points to the Geelong Cats.

Three Key Takeaways:

• Hynes relentless in the contest
• Saints win the inside, Cats the outside
• De Angelis a headache for defenders

Photography by Anthony Vella

On a fine day on the home deck, the Saints were looking to keep the momentum of the previous two games and continue an unbeaten run.

The game was played in close quarters, with the ball constantly in the balance. For the first three quarters, both sides struggled to maintain possession and stamp their brand onto the game, until the Cats grabbed control in the fourth quarter and pulled the scoreboard in their favour. There were flashes of brilliance that energised the game, but we were unable to build sustained momentum to put the game away when we had the chance. 

Chloe Hunt, the game's only multiple goal scorer with two goals, took a firm chest mark at the top of the goal square and calmly slotted it for our first major of the morning. The second was a fake and snap for a clinical finish in the second quarter.

Gaby De Angelis led the way for the Saints with 19 disposals, 4 clearances, and 3 tackles. Setting up our second goal of the morning with repeated second and third efforts to keep the ball travelling towards goal, allowing Winnie Laing to grab the lead. Throughout the second half, De Angelis caused problems for the Cats' defence, frequently losing her player and freeing up teammates for shots.

Ali Hynes is having a very solid season so far, finishing with a game-high 9 tackles, which is becoming a trademark of her game. The Captain spearheaded the pressure on the ball in a Saints' brand dominated by the clearance game.

The game was played on the wings, and neither team was able to pass the ball cleanly from the inside to the outside runners. We won the inside hit-out (28 to 20) and clearance wrestle (28 to 26), but fell short in the kick and mark count, which was a major focus for the Cats.

We led for the entirety of the morning, but a five-goal blitz in the final quarter shifted the momentum and scoreline in favour of the visitors.

SOUTHERN SAINTS:    2.3       3.5       4.6       5.6       (36)

GEELONG CATS:          1.2       1.2       3.5       8.6       (54)

Next Game: V GWS @ Blacktown International Sports Park, Sydney. Saturday 13^th April at 1PM AEST. Watch via the AFL website or AFL/VFL apps.

Written by Tom McQuillan - Sandringham FC Media