St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has the proverbial lid welded shut regardless of a 53-point dismantling of Gold Coast sending the unbeaten Saints clear on prime of the AFL ladder for the primary time since 2009.
Jack Higgins kicked 5 targets as Mitch Owens and Jack Sinclair starred within the Saints’ 17.11 (113) to eight.12 (60) victory at Marvel Stadium on Saturday evening.
It was their fourth straight win to start out the season, leaving Lyon’s new-look outfit because the final aspect with an ideal document.
St Kilda (4-0) sit two factors away from their nearest rivals Carlton (3-1-0).
But higher assessments lie forward, beginning with a conflict towards flag fancies Collingwood subsequent spherical.
“We’re going to get challenged,” Lyon mentioned.
“We’re not going to go through undefeated, we understand that.
“But primarily based on how we measure ourselves, we’re happy.”
Second-year forward Owens (27 disposals, two goals) and All-Australian half-back Sinclair (31 disposals, one goal) were outstanding in the Saints’ latest triumph, set up with a five-goal burst during the second term.
Seb Ross (30 disposals, five clearances, one goal), Brad Hill (22 touches, two goals) and Brad Crouch (34 disposals, six clearances) helped blow Gold Coast away after quarter-time.
But the victory came at a cost when substitute Jack Bytel was helped off the field with a left ankle injury just minutes after being thrust into the game in the final term.
“We felt sick within the field. We replayed it and thought it was an ACL,” Lyon mentioned.
“It’s a high-grade ankle damage however till we scan it we do not know. We assume there is not any fracture.”
Touk Miller (32 disposals, 10 clearances), Noah Anderson (37 disposals, 10 tackles, seven clearances) and Lachie Weller (30 touches) were among the Suns’ best.
Gold Coast lost co-captain Jarrod Witts (soreness) before the opening bounce, leaving debutant Ned Moyle to battle in the ruck against Rowan Marshall.
They started well but failed to capitalise on early territorial dominance as the lead changed hands four times during the first quarter.
Higgins provided the Saints’ spark in attack with three goals in the second term as they skipped 22 points clear by half-time.
It was party time in the third quarter as Hill and Owens kicked goals for the highlights reel and the margin ballooned to 47 points.
Gold Coast never seriously challenged their hosts after the main break.
“The first quarter was most likely our greatest for the 12 months however St Kilda cranked it up and we misplaced all composure and all system with the ball,” Suns coach Stuart Dew mentioned.
“It’s actually disappointing. We failed this check.””
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
