St Kilda wingman Mason Wood will miss Friday night’s clash against Fremantle, while Max King’s absence was particularly felt, as the Saints were humbled by 45 points by the Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium.
A week after they managed just eight goals in a stinging loss to the Western Bulldogs, the Saints had only three to half-time, and were unable to deliver what was needed when the contest was still alive late in the third term.
Lachie Neale of the Lions handballs whilst being tackled by Bradley Hill of the Saints.Credit: Getty Images
The Saints, after a bright 3-1 start to the season, have dropped their past three games, and now prepare to host Fremantle in a key clash at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.
Coach Ross Lyon will need to address their second half fade outs, having conceded eight goals after the main break to Greater Western Sydney, 10 to the Western Bulldogs and now nine to the Lions in their three straight defeats.
That the Lions won the inside-50 count 66-43 told the tale.
Wood has had a strong season but will be absent next week, having been concussed in the third term, leaving the Saints with only three on the interchange bench. Hugo Garcia had been tactically subbed off in the second quarter when Lyon turned to Zak Jones for greater run at half-back.
Skipper Jack Steele, who began on Lachie Neale, Jack Macrae, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Brad Hill and youngster Darcy Wilson all found the ball, but none could influence the contest in the manner the Saints had hoped. The Saints were crunched at clearances.
Lyon had wanted Steele to lift after a sluggish effort against the Bulldogs. He did just that, finishing with 29 disposals, including nine clearances.
Wanganeen-Milera began at half-back, was thrown into the middle in the second term and had a spell up forward – and also conceded a needless 50m penalty which gifted Neale a goal.
Lyon flipped the magnets in the second term, activating Jones, and sending Anthony Caminiti, having spent most of his afternoon on Eric Hipwood, forward, but a 34-point margin at the main break was ultimately too great to overcome.
The Lions enjoyed a 35-18 inside-50 count by half-time, with usual suspects Dayne Zorko, Neale and Josh Dunkley all thriving.
The Saints lifted in the third term. Mitch Owens spent time in the midfield, while Wanganeen-Milera was influential, coming as the Lions squandered early shots at goal. The Saints booted the opening three goals but, by the time the term finished, had conceded four of the past five to trail by a game-high 38 points.
The final quarter was nothing short of dreary, as the Lions took care of business.
The Saints still remain a finals contender, but the absence of King for most of the season makes their hopes lineball. Cooper Sharman and Mitch Owens were goalless, leaving small forward Jack Higgins as the only major presence inside attacking 50.
Lions coach Chris Fagan had been worried about his team’s consistency in the wake of the Easter Thursday loss to Collingwood – their first loss of the season. This latest win suggested he has little to be concerned about, although he may want more from Charlie Cameron, who was goalless for the third straight week.
