By ASHLEY BROWNE
This was a biggest home and away game ever (BHAGE) that lived up to the hype, and they’ll be talking about this Saints v Cats up until they play again, most likely very late in September.
The Saints started brilliantly with their attack on the footy and defensive zone which for a time, confounded the Cats.
But the Cats worked their way through it and truth be told, finished the better side. They probably ran out of time.
Michael Gardiner was the hero for the Saints – four goals on his 30th birthday and easily his best outing in three largely forgettable seasons since crossing from West Coast.
As Mark Thompson stated afterwards, the Cats hate to lose, but you have to think they’ll relish the opportunity to tackle the Saints again, this time on the MCG – where the Saints will play just once before the finals – and with Brad Ottens and Steve Johnson in the side. And with Tom “what’s all the fuss about?” Hawkins possibly not.
The Cats looked terrible up forward early on – kudos to Darren Milburn for his pinch-hitting close to goals – but you’d have to think they would have jagged a few goals with the mercurial Johnson prowling close to goal.
Other notes from round 13:
It is hard to believe that Hawthorn was playing at a level similar to the Cats and the Saints this time last year.
The Bulldogs and the Magpies this Friday brings together two likely preliminary finalists.
Melbourne’s passion was great, but where had it been for the month beforehand?
He may visit just once a year, but Chris Judd owns Subiaco.
Jade Rawlings and Darren Crocker haven’t done much wrong.
