ST KILDA and Richmond won two points each in a pulsating draw at the MCG on Friday night, but the Saints appear to be the real losers, with midfield general Lenny Hayes suffering a potentially season-ending knee injury.
Hayes twisted his knee early in the third quarter and was carried off in considerable pain as the Saints kicked 13.17 (95) to find themselves in a deadlock with Richmond, who were more accurate with 14.11 (95).
Hayes, who was instantly subbed for Clint Jones, was the second high-profile casualty on the night. Earlier, the Tigers were forced to use their own substitute, Brad Helbig, to replace Jack Riewoldt in the second quarter. The Coleman medallist sustained a concussion early in the game after falling heavily in a first-term marking contest.
Riewoldt, while visibly frustrated at not being able to return to the field after whacking his head on the turf, appeared to be fine after the game.
Even with the injuries to two key players, the match was exhilarating to watch. After the Saints looked like blowing the game apart early, the tenacious Tigers fought back and refused to let the margin slip out of their reach.
Scores were left level when the final siren sounded after the Tigers failed to hold the lead following a goal from Daniel Jackson at the 32-minute mark of the final term.
The Saints then missed two opportunities through debutant Daniel Archer and Stephen Milne.
St Kilda did all the attacking early and benefitted from consistent rebound from Sam Fisher and Jason Gram, although for the amount they possessed the ball, the Saints should have led by more than 14 points at quarter-time.
Despite losing their main avenue to goal in Riewoldt, Richmond's seven goals to three in the second term saw the Tigers lead by seven points at the main break.
Rain started to fall in the third quarter, and as the goals dried up, the match became a war of attrition that evened out after the injury to Hayes forced the Saints to play their sub. The last term was a thrilling spectacle, with the lead changing hands four times before a desperate final minute was spent largely inside St Kilda's forward 50.
Richmond will be sweating on a report laid against defender Luke McGuane for rough conduct against Farren Ray.
St Kilda 4.6 7.10 9.12 13.17 (95)
Richmond 2.4 9.5 10.9 14.11 (95)
GOALS
St Kilda: Milne 4, Riewoldt 3, Goddard, Gamble, Ray, Armitage, McEvoy, Blake
Richmond: Martin 3, King 2, Vickery 2, Cotchin, Morton, Edwards, Helbig, Deledio, Grigg, Jackson
BEST
St Kilda: Milne, Armitage, Montagna, Dal Santo, Fisher, Jones
Richmond: Deledio, Cotchin, Martin, Newman, Grigg, King
INJURIES
St Kilda: Hayes (knee)
Richmond: Riewoldt (concussion)
SUBSTITUTES
St Kilda: Lenny Hayes (knee) replaced by Clinton Jones in the third quarter
Richmond: Jack Riewoldt (concussion) replaced by Brad Helbig in the second quarter
Reports: Luke McGuane (Richmond) reported for rough conduct on Farren Ray (St Kilda) in the second quarter.
Umpires: Kennedy, Findlay, Jeffery
Official crowd: 41,465 at MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
