After a horrific start to the 2011 season, the Saints entered Round 24 knowing a victory over the fifth-placed Blues would see them secure a home final the following week. In almost perfect synergy with the season itself, they got off to a slow start in the Saturday night clash at the MCG. Unable to quell a rampant Setanta OhAilpin (words that very rarely went together), they trailed by 15 points at the main break having kicked just one goal through Stephen Milne.
Goals to Milne and Leigh Montagna saw the margin reduced to just two points before a brace to Bryce Gibbs helped to see it balloon to a game-high 17-points. This looked certain to be the half-time margin until Milne, after forcing a last-minute turnover, found an unmarked Jack Steven for a much-needed settler.
Steven would kick another between goals to the Blues Irish pair OhAilpin and Zach Tuohy to keep his team in touch. It would be Milne again though, who would kick start a game-winning surge. His third major would be the first of a run of five goals in 11 minutes to turn the match on its head. Sam Gilber, Zac Dawson, Justin Koschitzke all getting on the scoresheet to see the Saints take a six point lead into the final break.
When Brendon Goddard and Adam Schneider both scored inside five minutes to give their team a stranglehold on proceedings. Kade Simpson and OhAilpin scored either side of Koschitzke’s second to give Ross Lyon some anxious moments before Schneider sealed the four points with his second major.
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