Leigh Montagna kicked a goal with 19 seconds left in the game to propel St Kilda to a stunning two-point win over Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Jeremy Howe put the Demons in front with just 41 seconds remaining with the first goal of a tense final term, only for Montagna to run onto a loose ball in the goal square to hand the Saints a 12.13 (85) to 12.11 (83) win.
"It's probably as emotional as I've been after a game," coach Alan Richardson said.
"When Joey scored we knew how long there was to go.
"There is a tendency with our guys, and rightfully so with a minute to go, for our guys to think that one's probably got away from us but to their credit ... they kept fighting."
The result extended Melbourne's losing streak against St Kilda to 11, with the loss their 21st in a row at the Docklands venue.
Paul Roos lamented his team's inability to get numbers behind the ball to defend their lead in the dying seconds.
"We've just got to do a better job in those situations," Roos said.
Montagna was outstanding with 28 possessions and 10 tackles in a team total of 98, with Nick Riewoldt also important with four goals and 10 marks.
"We've got some really strong, experienced leaders that are still playing really good footy," Richardson said.
"Every club needs their leaders to be strong and that was the case for us again tonight.
"When your team lays (98) tackles they're going about it the right way.
"We want to be aggressive in that space, so that was pleasing."
Jesse Hogan enhanced his reputation as a superstar in the making with a career-best five goals for Melbourne, while Bernie Vince (38 possessions) and Nathan Jones (32) were influential.
Richardson's side led by one point as quarter-time and quickly extended that lead to a game-high margin of 24 with the first four goals of the second term.
But Hogan hit back with two goals as the Demons sliced the deficit to just six points at the main break.
The intensity of the contest lifted another notch in the third with neither side able to break the game open. Jimmy Toumpas edged Melbourne out to a two-goal lead halfway through the quarter, but Tim Membrey's miss after the siren levelled the scores once again.
A tense final term produced plenty of errors from both sides, but St Kilda did most of the attacking without being able to land the decisive blow.
It looked like it would finally be the Demons' day when Howe slotted a tough set shot late in the game, only for Melbourne hearts to be broken seconds later.
"It was probably a game that you'd expect between two teams who are really similar," Roos said.
"It was a good contest.
"Both teams were hard at it, both teams probably turned the ball over a fair bit and at times didn't take opportunities.
"At the end of the day it just came down to the bounce of the ball and Montagna kicks a goal."
Share
