Saints v Cats - snippets
TURNING POINT: Nick Riewoldt had just scored the first goal of the second quarter to put the Saints 13 points in front and when Steven King ran to congratulate his captain he was shoved from behind by Mark Blake. King naturally remonstrated and the scuffle which followed attracted about 15 players from both sides. There was nothing much in it, but it acted as a spur and release for the Cats who promptly banged in three goals in three minutes, seizing the lead and the momentum at a critical stage in the contest.
STAR MAN: Joel Corey is enjoying a stellar season and was the leading possession-winner in the competition going into this round. His 29 disposals against the Saints were gathered all over the place, deep in defence, out on the wing, at half-forward and in the middle. He doesn't catch the eye as Jimmy Bartel and Gary Ablett do, but Corey is every bit as effective and important.
ABSOLUTE SHOCKER: Xavier Clarke was ambling along following the play 25 metres from the action in the second quarter when, from his right, big Trent West came running in and landed a heavy hip and shoulder. An unsuspecting Clarke, who seemingly had no peripheral vision, no awareness and no sixth sense, went down and didn’t get up. The contact wasn't high so presumably the damage was done when Clarke hit the ground. Clarke was placed in a neck brace and stretchered off but returned to action in the third quarter. Afterwards, St Kilda coach Ross Lyon said he had 'no interest' and 'no concerns' about the clash. "It's a contact sport," he said.
WHAT A GOAL! Cameron Ling's right foot snap from 50 after picking up the ball cleanly on the half-volley in the third quarter was a beauty, but David Wojcinski's goal moments later, at full tilt with Leigh Montagna on his hammer, having charged from deep in defence to create the overlap was the best of the day.
UNSUNG HERO: Mathew Stokes goes quietly about his business, but there's no more efficient player in the premiership line-up than the former apprentice zookeeper from Darwin. Stokes gathered 18 touches against the Saints and capped it off with two very handy goals. Few players genuinely get 'under the radar' these days, but he could be one of them.