St Kilda livewire Jack Higgins has booted the first five-goal haul of his career to propel his side to a 26-point win over the Gold Coast Suns and the Saints’ fourth victory in succession.
Not since rounds seven to 10, 2020, when the Saints last played finals footy, had they strung together four wins in a row, but they did just that in a 13.9 (87) to 9.7 (61) triumph over the Suns at Docklands Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
St Kilda lost the inside-50 count 56-53, but it operated at an efficiency of 43 per cent inside 50 to Gold Coast’s 36 per cent.
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Higgins, who returned from a one-game lay-off due to concussion, snagged two of his five goals inside a minute during the opening term, while another saw him ice an electric passage of play that began deep in St Kilda’s defensive 50.
The Saints’ win lifted them into third on the ladder, where percentage has them sitting between the second-placed Lions and fourth-placed Swans.
Reigning premiers Melbourne, who are yet to lose a game this season, are the only other team to have won four consecutive matches in 2022.
St Kilda’s four-game winning streak follows an opening-round 17-point loss to Collingwood, which suggested the Saints’ woes of 2021 wouldn’t be going anywhere.
“We put some things into practice over the pre-season to get more consistent as a footy club,” said Brendon Lade, who filled in for Brett Ratten in the Suns clash because the head coach had tested positive for COVID-19.
“That first five weeks have probably shown it. Everyone thought it was doom and gloom after round one, but it turns out Collingwood are a pretty good team… we’ve put some good work together over the last four weeks and have been really consistent in what we’re going after.”
Saints fans were also buoyed on Saturday by the successful return of midfielder Zak Jones via the VFL with Sandringham.
The former Swan registered 27 disposals and nine clearances on his return from personal leave.
St Kilda will open round six in a match against GWS at Manuka Oval next Friday night, while Gold Coast is set to meet Brisbane in Carrara next Sunday afternoon.
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