Saints Hold Off Hawks To Go Back Into Top Eight
The Saints mauled Hawthorn earlier in the season at the MCG as their midfield and forwards dominated the Hawks. Now late in the season the two teams are not so distant on the ladder at Round 20 and both were outside the top eight prior to this match. Early in the third quarter today the Saints looked poised to repeat the dose, but a late fightback by the Hawks saw them trail by just two goals at the final siren, but still enough to carry the Saints into the top eight.
Played under the closed roof at Marvel, the two teams took a good period to feel each other out. After seven and a half minutes the Saints put the first serious score on the board when Mason Wood outmarked Jiath in the forward pocket and converted the free kick into a goal. But they failed to capitalize on good work of the midfield as King, Membrey and Lienart all missed set shots.