St Kilda have ended their six-game AFLW losing streak in dramatic style, claiming a thrilling two-point victory over Port Adelaide.
Key points:
- A wayward St Kilda kicked 4.11 on the day, but still hung on for the win
- Port’s Gemma Houghton missed a shot in the dying minutes to pinch the win
- In Sunday’s later games, Richmond play GWS and Melbourne face Essendon
In a see-sawing clash, Power skipper Erin Phillips picked out Gemma Houghton in the closing minutes for a chance to win the game.
But the forward’s set shot was wayward and the inaccurate Saints held on for a nervous 4.11 (35) to 5.3 (33) victory, condemning the Power to a fifth-straight defeat.
Kate Shierlaw (six marks, five score involvements) was a towering figure up forward for the Saints while Georgia Patrikios (19 disposals) was typically influential.
Phillips exerted her influence on the contest all day for Port, finishing her day with 21 touches and Hannah Ewings had nine clearances and 17 touches.
Shierlaw was in everything early, with Port Adelaide seemingly having no answers for the tall’s reach and athleticism.
She teed up St Kilda’s opening goal in the first 37 seconds and kicked her own later in the term, but Port Adelaide kept within touching distance via goals to Ewings and Jade De Melo.
In the second term, St Kilda pair Olivia Vesely and Tarni White had a nasty head clash.
While White played on with a taped nose, Vesely’s day ended early through concussion and the Saints soon missed her aggression and strength around stoppages.
The Power seized control of the clearances and Kate Surman kicked a lovely goal to level the scores before Lily Johnson put them in front for the first time.
Then Houghton, in her 50th game, out-marked three players and kicked truly to extend Port’s lead to 12 at the main break.
But St Kilda came out of half-time breathing fire and regained a four-point lead at the final change.
Phillips came to the bench late in the third term looking proppy in her left knee, which had been strapped all game, but returned to play.
Port Adelaide kept the Saints scoreless in the final term but only scored two points themselves.
Phillips threw everything at the Saints, including what could have been the game-winning assist. Houghton went desperately close to snatching victory but her set shot was ruled to have hit the post.
AAP
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
