They then followed it up by taking down the #4 ranked Adelaide Crows, taking them out 22 points. The clash at RSEA Park set the tone for St Kilda’s season from the very start. In doing so, they demonstrated their fiery bond and talent, all while facing a truly Austin-level competitor.
The match opened up with St Kilda showing their quality and how much they want to compete from the very first bounce. They jumped out to an early lead, finishing the first quarter up five points on Adelaide. With each quarter ticking by, the Saints continued to build their game, ending the first half with a two-point advantage.
A Dominant Performance
After half-time, the Saints certainly raised the pressure, especially in a frenetic third period. Not allowing Adelaide a single second half point was perhaps the most amazing achievement given that process against one of the league’s most offensive minded teams.
She was a standout player for St Kilda and kicked two vital goals during the day. That’s precisely what Teyla Kavanagh did when she scored her first career goal with her very first kick of the game. That moment was a big jumpstart in her young career.
St Kilda’s captain, Hannah Priest, said she was proud of her team’s performance. “So, so deserving — and I think it’s obvious that they’re going to go out and represent and compete big time,” she said. This victory marks a big increase in the confidence of St Kilda’s players. It’s a very telling sign of their potential in the season to come.
Key Contributions and Leadership
In addition to Besanko’s impressive debut, teammates Ella Forbes and Charlotte Baskaran made significant contributions to St Kilda’s success. Their performances were key in both controlling the game and not allowing Adelaide to get comfortable at any point.
Priest attributed the team’s commitment during preparations to their performance ahead of this game. Not once during that whole time did we skip a training session,” she said, praising their dedication and efforts during months of preparation. That dedication showed as they rode their fiery game plan to a dominant performance over Adelaide.
St Kilda extended their lead to 20 points late in the third quarter. This was preceded by them receiving a 50-metre penalty from an Adelaide infraction. The infamous Marinoff infraction. Besanko took full advantage, slotting her second goal and extending St Kilda’s lead to an unassailable 31 points.
Looking Ahead
As the season unfolds, St Kilda’s emphatic win serves as a strong foundation for what they hope will be a successful campaign. They possess a potent combination of youthful savvy and seasoned expertise. This is one of the most exciting teams in the AFLW this season.
Tilly Lucas-Rodd reflected on the team’s ambitions, stating, “Especially after last year’s finals, we wanted to make a statement, and I think we came out and did that, which is really good.” This is something the whole team feels and is passionate about. They are extremely motivated to expand on their momentum and make their mark in this state vs state competition.
