Source : the age
One flawless strike off Harry McKay’s left shoe earned Carlton’s triumph over St Kilda and prevented the so-called Tom De Koning Cup from overshadowing” Spud’s Game.”
With just 77 moments left and the Saints coming tight, McKay’s professional complete 45 feet up and rarely inside the boundary line earned them a 15-point victory on Friday night. McKay had been taking a self-imposed mental health break.
In honor of the late St Kilda wonderful Danny Frawley, who had a well-known battle with anxiety and depression before his death two years prior, the second Spud’s Game was held in 2021.
De Koning, the star ruckman the Saints are trying to take from Carlton on a long-term free agency deal worth an estimated$ 1.7 million annually, was the subject of the 2025 edition’s threat, but a resolution to that issue is still a long way off.
This was the Blues ‘ fourth win in five games, and it was a perfect answer to the Crows ‘ 10-goal trouncing last week, which temporarily moved them into eighth place after four straight losses.
McKay had his fingerprints all over it, from his crucial third goal of the night, which came just before three-quarter-time, to Cooper Lord’s critical goal assist in the last term and a crucial ground-ball victory in Carlton’s defensive 50.
What you play footy for, and the fact that they are actually the best times [kicking for purpose in that scenario] It’s truly entertaining and makes you think of being a child once more, McKay told Fox Footy.
” It’s a true honor to play Spud’s Game on Friday nights football.” During the week, we discussed it. It’s obvious that [ Frawley was ] a person of inspiration, and it’s a honor to share this role with St Kilda. They play the game very well, and it’s a true honor for our team to be a part of them.
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” Nights of tonight are truly unique and the more we may talk about it, the better,” says the statement “your health and wellbeing is crucial.”
Elijah Hollands, a different Blue, likewise took personal leave of absence during the time to deal with his mental health, making this a Spud’s Game unlike any other for Carlton. Holland also had his fifth older game since taking a break from his journey.
It undoubtedly gives me a unique view on it now, Hollands said.
It’s like a great activity, and one that I’m really glad to be a part of because I didn’t really know much about it, and then it kind of just smacks you in the face. It sends a powerful message, so it’s great that we were able to honor” Spood” with this game.
Five months ago, it was said that De Koning should choose to leave the Music for significantly more money at St Kilda and that the Saints ‘ coming was better.
The highly anticipated Blues lost their first four games slack, while Ross Lyon’s St Kilda disturbed Geelong, defeated Richmond, and then moved to Adelaide, where they did it for amazing length of three weeks.
This was the perfect setting for one of the biggest tales of 2025, in a conservative industry so preoccupied with player movement.
The Saints also had a 61-point victory over Carlton in the round nine game, and they jumped the Blue with three of the first four targets on Friday evening.
But, Carlton never lost when they threw away six of their final seven goals in a 24 point lead midway through the next term. Under Michael Voss, they were known for their trademark contested hands dominance at their best when they were at their best.
St Kilda put an end to any hopes of a landslide victory for the Music, and they slashed their deficit to single digits several days after half-time without going any further.
Before quarter-time, Carlton lost defender Mitch McGovern ( chest ), then watched as Lachie Cowan ( hamstring tightness ), Blake Acres ( right shoulder ), and Nick Haynes ( neck ) all left the field in the second term.
With one more person on the couch, the Blue could hardly hope for more as Cowan did not return.
In addition to McKay, they had other heroes in backmen Haynes and Jack Silvagni, who combined for 19 catch property, while commander Patrick Cripps won nine of his 26 disposals in the third quarter, putting them on match-highs of 15 disputed property, eight certifications, and ten interceptions.
Callum Wilkie defended Charlie Curnow, who had three goals before the third-minute level of the next word to match McKay.
Saint Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, the sun, led all people with 30 disposals, including 23 blows, before recently leaving the game due to a foot problem before giving another outstanding performance.
With both South Asian clubs hoping to pull him back home, St Kilda’s other top administration focus is securing Wanganeen-Milera’s signature.
Jack Sinclair, the Saints ‘ dual club champion, ( 26 ), also did a good job.
Although Sinclair’s instinctive move to wander a Rowan Marshall touch and fire through a close-range target early in the fourth quarter brought his team within eight points, St Kilda now sits 11th place, and they may also end the round yet worse.
De Koning ( 21, eight clearances, 36 hitouts ) had a moment while he was covering his potential future ruck partner Marshall ( 19, four, 33 ) across the night.
” We just couldn’t quite ascendant,” Lyon said. They were successful in clearing clearances [after ] we started well, but ultimately they were able to take opportunities a little more successfully than we were.
I believed we never gave up, and there were some helpful lessons for young players like Darcy Wilson, Hugo Garcia, and Hugh Boxshall that we needed to learn, and learn fairly quickly.
After a horrifying first month, the Blues are back in the top eight, and coach Voss was proud of how hard his players worked together as well as Lord’s and McKay’s impressive goals in the final quarter.
Voss said,” It’s been a long time since ] we had that win.
It had some brilliant moments, but it largely took a grind and we had to fight our way out of it, stay in for as long as we could, and then just wait for our moments.
” When it was necessary, we had a group stand up.”
