“It’s really important to talk about [mental health] with your friends. A problem shared is a problem halved.
“Your health and wellbeing is critical, so nights like tonight are really special and the more we can talk about it, the better.”
Elijah Hollands, Jacob Weitering, Harry McKay and Oliver Hollands of the Blues after defeating the Saints.Credit: Getty Images
Another Blue, Elijah Hollands, also took personal leave during the season to address his mental health, so this was a Spud’s Game like no other for Carlton. Hollands, too, was playing his fourth senior match since returning from his sabbatical.
“It definitely gives me a different perspective on it now,” Hollands said.
“I didn’t really know much about it, and then it sort of just smacks you between the face, but it’s such a great game, and one that I’m really proud to be a part of. It sends a great message, so it’s great that we’re able to honour ‘Spud’ with this match.”
Tom De Koning of the Blues is tackled by Rowan Marshall of the Saints.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
There was a narrative five weeks ago that De Koning should not only choose to leave the Blues for significantly more money at St Kilda but also because the Saints’ future was brighter.
The much-hyped Blues had shockingly lost their first four games, whereas Ross Lyon’s St Kilda upset Geelong then beat Richmond before travelling to Adelaide and doing the same to the Power in an impressive three-week stretch.
In a reactionary industry obsessed with player movement, this was the perfect fodder for one of the biggest stories of 2025.
The Saints also entered the round nine clash with Carlton fresh from a 61-point shellacking of Fremantle, and jumped the Blues with three of the first four goals on Friday night.
However, Carlton never trailed once they rattled off six of the next seven goals to charge 24 points ahead midway through the second term. It came off the back of the type of clearance and contested possession dominance they were known for at their best under Michael Voss.
St Kilda ended any thoughts of a landslide triumph for the Blues with a spirited end to the first half, and they sliced their deficit to single digits multiple times after half-time without going further.
Carlton lost defender Mitch McGovern (chest) before quarter-time, then watched as Lachie Cowan (hamstring tightness), Blake Acres (right shoulder) and Nick Haynes (neck) all left the field in the second term.
Cowan did not return, meaning the Blues had to desperately hang on with one fewer player on the bench.
Beyond McKay, they had heroes in backmen Haynes (seven intercept marks) and Jack Silvagni (four) – who combined for 19 intercept possessions – while captain Patrick Cripps won nine of his 26 disposals in the fourth quarter, to go with match-highs of 15 contested possessions, eight clearances and 10 tackles.
Charlie Curnow, defended by Callum Wilkie, matched McKay with three goals, but none after the third-minute mark of the second term.
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera of the Saints looks dejected after their round nine loss against the Blues.Credit: Getty Images
Star Saint Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera led all players with 30 disposals, including 23 kicks, and briefly exited the match because of a foot issue before delivering another standout performance.
Securing Wanganeen-Milera’s signature is St Kilda’s other major list management priority, with both South Australian clubs keen to lure him back home.
Dual club champion Jack Sinclair (26) was also a good performer for the Saints.
Sinclair’s instinctual effort to rove a Rowan Marshall tap and blast through a close-range goal early in the last quarter dragged his side within eight points, but this latest loss tumbles St Kilda below Carlton into 11th place – and they could finish the round even lower.
De Koning (21, eight clearances, 36 hitouts) shaded his potential future ruck partner Marshall (19, four, 33) across the night, but both had their moments.
“We just couldn’t quite gain the ascendancy,” Lyon said. “They were on top around clearances early [after] we started OK, but … ultimately, they were able to take opportunities a bit more easily than we were.
“I thought we never gave up … and there were some good lessons for [young players Darcy] Wilson, [Hugo] Garcia and [Hugh] Boxshall that we need to learn, and learn pretty quick.”
Loading
The Blues are back on the fringes of the top eight after their horror opening month, and coach Voss was proud of how hard his players fought, as well as Lord’s and McKay’s clutch goals in the final quarter.
“It’s been a long time [since] we had a win like that,” Voss said.
“It didn’t have a lot of brilliance in it; it had some brilliant moments, but it largely took a grind and [we had to] get in the trenches, fight our way out of it, hang in for as long as we possibly could, and then just wait for our moments.
“When it was needed, we had a group stand up. ”
