Saints v Magpies - snippets

TURNING POINT: When Tyson Goldsack intercepted a Brendon Goddard handpass to goal early in the second term, the Pies had the lead and the spark they needed to press ahead. But their impetus was snuffed out by the Saints in a crucial 10-minute spell where scoring for both teams dried up. Jason Gram restored St Kilda's lead with the first of four goals that put the Saints back in control by half time.

CLASSIC GRAB: John Anthony had the perfect sit when Leon Davis' shot for goal dropped short in time-on in the first term. Robert Harvey, hovering at the top of the goalsquare was Anthony's stepladder as the young Pie leapt high, digging a knee into Harvey's ribs while claiming a clean grab from which he goaled.

STAR MAN: After a quiet one last week, Nick Riewoldt returned to All-Australian form with five goals in a best-afield performance against the Pies. Eleven of his 15 marks came from typically long leads that left youngster Nathan Brown for dead. On the four occasions where Brown was able to contest, Riewoldt marked anyway.

ABSOLUTE SHOCKER: After playing on from the kick-out in the opening minutes of the match, Jason Gram found himself hemmed in and quickly retreated to the goal-line. He elected to concede point by handballing it through, but somehow managed to hit the point post for what was deemed to be a 'deliberate' out of bounds. Luckily for Gram, the Pies were not able to take full advantage of his clanger.

WHAT A GOAL! Adam Schneider had a generally quiet night, but his goal at the city end in the third quarter when he neatly sidestepped Ryan Cook to score from close in to put the Saints 25 points up brought Saints fans to their feet and would have prompted many to think that they were on their way to a preliminary final.

UNSUNG HERO: Schneider's crunching tackle on Rhyce Shaw late in the second term was the best of the match. It jolted the ball free and into the path of Stephen Milne who snared a typically opportunist goal to affirm the Saints' ascendancy.