St Kilda survived a stunning late fightback from the Western Bulldogs to hang on for a three-point win in Saturday’s AFL elimination final.
The Saints prevailed with a 10.7 (67) to 9.10 (64) victory at the Gabba that saw them advance to a semi-final meeting with reigning premiers Richmond.
But they face a nervous wait for the result of scans on a suspected hamstring injury to star ruckman Paddy Ryder, who limped off late in the match and finished it in tears.
“He’ll get a scan and it’s sort of high (up on the leg),” Saints coach Brett Ratten said.
“We’ll just wait and see there, but if it is (a genuine injury) he won’t play next week.
“Then we have to keep winning to get him to play (again this season).”
St Kilda also have concerns around Ben Long, who will come under scrutiny from the match review officer after his high bump on Jack Macrae, while Jake Carlisle is in doubt for the Richmond clash with his partner due to give birth soon.
In their first final since 2011, St Kilda led by four goals at three-quarter time, but the Bulldogs charged home with four goals to one in the final term.
Caleb Daniel’s goal brought the Dogs within a kick with more than two minutes left to play, but the comeback ultimately fell short.
“For three quarters we played really well and in the last quarter we went into our shell a little bit,” Ratten said.
“Our ball use from our defensive half really allowed the Bulldogs to set up re-entries.
“But I thought our effort and the way we set the game up was pretty good football.”
Young key forward Max King kicked two goals in the Saints’ first finals win in more than 10 years.
St Kilda got on top in the middle where Dan Hannebery (20 disposals), Zak Jones and Seb Ross (both 16) got to work, and dominated contested marks (21-13) around the ground.
Jarryn Geary took a career-best four of them and shone in attack, where he limited the influence of Dogs playmakers Daniel and Jason Johannisen at different stages.
The no-nonsense skipper also finished with two goals, as did Tim Membrey and Ryder, who got on top of Tim English in the ruck.
Bailey Smith (24 disposals), Marcus Bontempelli (21) and Daniel (26) worked tirelessly for the Bulldogs, who are still searching for their first finals triumph since the 2016 premiership.
The Dogs had 51 to 35 inside-50s but were unable to capitalise.
Josh Bruce kicked the opening goal but he and fellow key forward Aaron Naughton had little influence.
“In elimination finals there’s no tomorrow for you, so it’s pretty bitter,” Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said.
