Updated ,first published
In today’s AFL briefing:
- The Saints’ loss to the Western Bulldogs was compounded by injuries to Jack Sinclair and Tom De Koning.
- North Melbourne are in the 10 after a scrappy win over Richmond at the MCG.
St Kilda’s faltering season was hit hard on the scoreboard, and harder on the injury list, as the Western Bulldogs absorbed a 44-touch game by Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera to rise to seventh on the ladder with a 22-point victory.
In a robust affair at Marvel Stadium, the Dog kicked the first three goals of the game before steadily building their lead over the final three quarters to prevail 12.11 (83) to 8.13 (61), while the Saints battled a mounting tally of the wounded.
Co-captain Jack Sinclair went down first with what the Saints say was a calf injury in the opening minute, followed by suspected broken ribs for tall target Tom de Koning in the second term, leaving St Kilda with only three fit men on the bench.
There was also a shoulder complaint for fellow big man Rowan Marshall early in the second half. Marshall returned towards the end of the third term but was unable to help turn the game. Sinclair’s suspected strain will end a run of 60 consecutive games.
Watched intently by his uncle, the 1993 Brownlow medallist Gavin Wanganeen, Wanganeen-Milera put on an exceptional show by even his high standards, racking up 25 possessions to half-time in his customary role across half-back, then adding another 12 in the third term and trailing off with seven in the last.
For all of Wanganeen-Milera’s brilliance, the Dogs had a bigger spread of contributors across the ground, consigning St Kilda to a fourth loss out of five games. With a 6-9 win-loss record, the Saints are a game out of the wildcard spots, while the Bulldogs, at 9-6, can look ahead with far more optimism.
The Dogs’ Rolls-Royce, Marcus Bontempelli, had plenty of impact, including 13 clearances and one sublime crumbed goal from a one-hand pickup in the second term. Will Lewis, Rory Lobb and Aaron Naghton kicked two apiece for the Dogs.
After getting jumped by the Crows last round, the Dogs were intent on avoiding a similar start this time, and a trio of goals from their first five forward entries, including two from Lewis, ensured they would not be trailing by much at quarter-time.
Even so, the Saints would have expected to do more with a +19 differential in contested possessions for the quarter, as they sought to rebalance a run of five losses in six games against the Bulldogs.
St Kilda’s physicality was underlined by an old school but utterly fair bump by Liam Ryan that floored James O’Donnell on the wing, but the Dogs made their attacking forays count, through Aaron Naughton, Bontempelli and a long set shot by Matt Kennedy near half-time.
A 16-point advantage grew further when Lachlan McNeil goaled inside two minutes of the second half, and the Saints used up many of their dwindling petrol tickets to prevent the Dog from running away.
Campbell Lake’s long shot drew a raucous response from Saints supporters, but their momentum was more or less scotched when Max Hall slotted a quick follow up from the pocket, only to be penalised – rightly – for running too far.
From there the Dogs were more polished and certainly fresher for greater interchange numbers, meaning they were not threatened in the last.
Even Wanganeen-Milera’s prolific afternoon slowed, leaving him with a new career mark, but six touches short of the half-century that had seemed well within reach.
North back on track in wildcard hunt
AAP
Having consigned their Fremantle debacle to history, North Melbourne are putting themselves back on track to break their finals drought.
Cooper Trembath was the difference on Sunday, kicking four goals as the Kangaroos beat Richmond by 25 points in a scrappy, ugly clash at the MCG.
Beating the Tigers 10.13 (73) to 6.12 (48) gave North back-to-back wins after the Dockers tore them apart by 124 points.
North last made the finals in 2016, finishing eighth. They are 10th in the first season of the top-10 wildcard format.
“We were pretty happy to put that in the rear-vision mirror, five minutes after that game,” coach Alastair Clarkson said of the Fremantle loss.
“It (Sunday) was a tough slog and neither side set the world on fire … but we’re really pleased.
“This club hasn’t been 7-7 … for well over a decade, I don’t think.
“To still be in the season, and grind out wins like we did today … we were pleased we were able to restrict their danger in the last part of the game.”
Noah Balta kicked successive goals in the last term to give Richmond a sniff, but North were able to close out the game after also having troubles in the final quarter last week against West Coast.
Harry Sheezel had 31 possessions to lead the Kangaroos midfield and James Trezise was solid for the Tigers.
Despite sunny conditions and little breeze, the start of the game seemed to take inspiration from the soccer World Cup.
There was no score until nearly 10 minutes in, when the Tigers pounced on a defensive turnover and Sam Banks kicked a goal on the run.
It was one-all at the first break after George Wardlaw responded.
Richmond coach Adem Yze was left lamenting North being able to take 46 uncontested marks in the first quarter, which set the tone for the game.
“We used all our energy on defence and then our execution on offence, it was affected by it … death by a thousand cuts,” Yze said, adding it was one of the most frustrating games he has coached.
“I felt so sorry for our forwards.”
Playing his first game since round two, Richmond captain Toby Nankervis was up against Trembath in the ruck at the centre ball-ups.
Trembath would then immediately go forward and Tristan Xerri or Taylor Goad would do the ruck work around the ground.
“It’s always good to have him back,” Yze said of his captain.
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Daniel Brettig is The Age’s chief cricket writer and the author of several books on cricket.Connect via X.
