St Kilda secured its first win of the AFLW season on Saturday, defeating Collingwood by two points at RSEA Park to break an 11-match losing streak and send departing coach Nick Dal Santo out on a winning note just a day after his resignation.
The tense 5.9 (39) to 5.7 (37) victory in front of 2,180 supporters ended a difficult week for the club. St Kilda announced on Friday that Dal Santo would step down following an 0-8 start to the season and that the club would initiate an independent review of its AFLW program led by executive Brad Lloyd.
Saints Win For Dal Santo Against Collingwood
Collingwood took control early in the contest, kicking the only two goals of the first half. Captain Ruby Schleicher opened the scoring in the second term before leaving the match with a right-shoulder injury following a strong tackle from Saints defender Maya Louvel-Finn. With Schleicher sidelined, Sabrina Frederick slotted the game’s second major in her 100th AFLW appearance, helping the Magpies build a 12-point advantage by the main break.
The Saints changed momentum after halftime. Tyanna Smith and Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw kicked goals to level the scores, and Nicola Xenos marked strongly inside 50 to put the home side ahead for the first time. St Kilda carried a 10-point lead into the final quarter.
I understand this is my last game, but that was a really good game by the girls.
Nick Dal Santo, via Fox and Kayo
Late pressure from Collingwood narrowed the margin when Ash Centra kicked a goal with 30 seconds remaining, but the Saints claimed the final clearance to seal the result. Dal Santo joked post-match that he should have resigned earlier given the third-quarter turnaround.
“It looked a little different, didn’t it? And what I just said to the group is, ‘That’s actually what it takes – but it’s every single week, and it’s every day of your whole football life’.”
Nick Dal Santo, via The Age
Club Faces Program Review After Victory
While the victory provided emotional relief, the club faces further scrutiny. St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena confirmed that the board met to implement an independent review modeled on processes at Carlton and Richmond.
Dal Santo defended the program during his post-match press conference, emphasizing the club’s efforts to foster a unified environment.
I would hate to think that anyone in our women’s program doesn’t feel like we’re fed well.
Nick Dal Santo, via The Age
Teams Prepare For Round 10 Fixtures
Both teams face an eight-day break before their next fixtures in round 10. Collingwood travels to face the Sydney Swans at Windy Hill next Sunday afternoon, while St Kilda undertakes a demanding interstate trip to take on Fremantle at Cockburn Oval on Sunday evening.
The 42-year-old ex-St Kilda AFL star finished his six seasons in charge with four points, concluding his tenure with a 23-39 win-loss record. With the bottom-of-the-table Saints holding a 0-8 record prior to Saturday, the team’s final-quarter fight saw tempers flare between Pies forward Bri Davey and Paige Trudgeon, with the two finding themselves in tussles throughout the final term. Dal Santo’s troops came out with an intensity, laying 19 tackles in the first quarter and winning clearances 10-3.
Reflecting on his journey, the Saints Hall of Famer acknowledged the season had been challenging and accepted responsibility for the Saints’ AFLW situation. St Kilda CEO Carl Dilena noted that Dal Santo’s care, commitment, and leadership had been unwavering across the program, which included leading the team to its maiden finals appearance last season.
I would hate to think that anyone in our women’s program doesn’t feel like we’re fed well.
Nick Dal Santo, via The Age