Canberra duo Jack Steele and Tom Highmore have helped the Saints to a memorable 32-point win over the Brisbane Lions at Metricon Stadium.
Saints skipper Steele was his usual brilliant self, finishing with 31 disposals and two final quarter goals, while Highmore had the best game of his young career, controlling the back half with 16 disposals and 8 marks (6 intercept marks).
The Saints third straight win keeps their finals hopes alive as they move into 9th spot on the ladder after the club’s best performance of the season.
A Brisbane comeback looked to be on early the third quarter in their home game, which was shifted from the Gabba to Metricon Stadium due to Queensland’s COVID-19 situation, but St Kilda quickly reclaimed the lead and stormed out winners 14.11 (95) to 8.15 (63).
“After the Adelaide loss – we were doing some things before that – but it probably allows you to reset and take a breath and come back and really work out what we want to be as a football team,” Saints coach Brett Ratten said.
“Knowing there were eight or nine games left in the season, and how it’s going to turn out for us.
“It was a bit of a snapshot of the future for us tonight.”
As joyous as the result was for St Kilda, the Lions’ (11-5) premiership hopes could be in tatters due to Hipwood likely missing the rest of the season.
It was just Brisbane’s second loss in their past 12 games.
After enjoying a relatively injury-free run during 2019 and 2020, Hipwood will become the second Lions ace to go down with an ACL injury this year.
Dynamic forward Cameron Rayner hurt his knee during a pre-season game at Metricon Stadium in March and was ruled out for the year.
Hipwood went off late in the first quarter, landing awkwardly after going up for a mark.
If scans confirm a season-ending knee injury, it would leave a giant hole in the Lions’ forward line with Hipwood having kicked 26 goals this season.
“We will have to lick our wounds on that one and try and find another tall key position forward,” Lions coach Chris Fagan said.
“It is an opportunity for a Connor Ballenden or a Tommy Fullarton to step up.”
As deflating as Hipwood’s injury was for the Lions, St Kilda outplayed them in all areas as the Saints’ midfield group of Jack Steele (31 possessions), Luke Dunstan (29) and Zak Jones (26) dominated Brisbane’s onball brigade.
After trailing by two points at the first change, St Kilda powered ahead thanks to young forward Max King’s three second-quarter goals.
Zorko was Brisbane’s clear standout in his milestone game with three first-half goals and setting up another major.
Lions defender Brandon Starcevich will also be assessed in coming days for a neck issue.
The Lions have six days to recover before facing Richmond at the MCG on Friday night, while St Kilda are back at Marvel Stadium to tackle Port Adelaide.
AAP
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