Riewoldt helps Saints into grand final
AFL Results 
/ Andy Morris / 21 September 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now
Captain Nick Riewoldt proved the match-winner as St Kilda reached their first AFL grand final since 1997 by beating the Western Bulldogs at the MCG, writes Andy Morris.
Riewoldt kicked four goals in the second half to put his side in command after they had been out-played in the first half, as Saints booked their sixth grand final appearance with a 9.6 (60) to 7.11 (53) victory.
They will face Geelong, who beat Collingwood in the other preliminary final, and hope for their first premiership since they beat the Magpies in 1966.
The Bulldogs are cursing their luck as they suffered a sixth successive preliminary final loss.
The Dogs restricted St Kilda to just two minors in the opening quarter, their worst start this year, and went on to lead by seven points at half time.
But Riewoldt kicked off Saints' second half fightback in the opening minute of the third term, and St Kilda went ahead for the first time at the 10 minute mark.
The Bulldogs were not to content to let them get away, and they kicked two quick goals to re-take the lead, and after Steven Milne put Saints back in front they again fought back through Brad Johnson.
It was Riewoldt who made sure of the win with a minute left as he kicked a goal off the ground.
Geelong crushed Collingwood by 73 points in the other preliminary final, winning by 17.18 (120) to 6.11 (47).
The Cats had Paul Chapman in outstanding form with five goals from 26 possessions, and they opened up a 34-point lead at the final change after a four-goal burst in the third term.
Six more goals in the final quarter rubbed salt into the Magpies' wounds, as Collingwood failed to kick a goal in the final term.
Collingwood started well, with the first seven inside-50s of the match, from which they converted two, through Harry Taylor and Harry O'Brien.
Geelong took total command before half time, leading by 11 at that stage and pulling away in style after the major break.
While Collingwood could only kick one goal in the third quarter, the Cats booted four including two to Tom Hawkins, and the final term was painful to watch from the point of view of the Magpies' supporters.
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