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St Kilda has kept it's finals hopes alive in season 2022, powering away from West Coast in the final term to win by 28 points at Optus Stadium on Sunday.
Led by five goals from Dan Butler, the Saints saw off a gallant Eagles team with a four goal to one final term to record their 10th win of the season, 14.6 (90) to 10.2 (62).
The visitors started well with goals to Butler and Membrey in the opening ten minutes before West Coast hit back, Jake Waterman and Josh Kennedy hitting the scoreboard before Josh Rotham kicked his first career goal, backing up Bailey Williams in the ruck and playing forward.
The Saints were a player down by quarter time, Jack Billings subbed out with back spasms and Ben Long injected in to the game.
Young midfielder Marcus Windhanger was doing a brilliant job on Eagles playmaker Tim Kelly, keeping the star midfielder to one kick in the first half as Saints captain Jack Steele led the way for hs team.
In an entertaining second term both teams were able to hit the scoreboard in spurts, two late goals from Max King and Butler giving the Saints breathing space at half time.
West Coast gained field position in the third term and closed to under a goal courtesy of a brace for Jack Darling, a Tim Membrey snap enough to steady the Saints who led by 9 points at the final change.
With a top eight spot on the line St Kilda lifted in the final term, Steele supreme in midfield as he finished with 40 disposals as Brett Ratten's side beat the Eagles in Perth for the first time since 2010 with a 28 point triumph.
Second gamer Jai Culley kicked his first goal for West Coast in the final moments, the home side's only score in the last term as they slumped to their 16th loss of the season.
Steele (40 disposals) and midfield tyro team mate Brad Crouch (31) were excellent for the winners, Jack Sinclair with 27 touches accross half back.
Tom Barrass was again a shining light in defence for the Eagles, finishing with 26 disposals and 8 marks in a towering defensive effort on Saints spearhead Max King.
West Coast head to Metricon Stadium to play Gold Coast in round 20, while St Kilda hosts Hawthorn at Docklands in another winnable match to keep the dream of finals alive.
IMAGE: Fox Sports.