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Saints deal Geelong’s finals hopes a big blow

Geelong’s AFL finals hopes took a major hit on Saturday night after they drew with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

St Kilda’s Shane Savage snapped a behind with 14 seconds left, taking their score to 14.13 (97) to Geelong’s 15.7 (97).

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The Cats are ninth, four points and percentage behind North Melbourne with two games left.

North, who play Fremantle on Sunday, drop from seventh to eighth after Adelaide’s win on Saturday night over Brisbane.

There were four lead changes and plenty of high drama in the last quarter before Savage tied the scores.

A few seconds before his behind, teammate Mav Weller took a mark at half forward.

Geelong’s Cory Gregson clearly ran over the mark and should have been paid a 50m penalty that would have put Weller well within scoring range.

Savage missed a sitter earlier in the quarter, while Geelong’s Steven Motlop was denied a goal because he ran too far without bouncing the ball.

The draw was as good as an upset win for the Saints, who made seven forced changes for this match.

Among the players forced out through injury were stars David Armitage and Sean Dempster.

The Saints made an exhilarating start, kicking four goals in the first 10 minutes.

The Cats quickly steadied and the margin was never more than seven points at each change.

Geelong star Steve Johnson had a typical “Stevie J” sort of night, starring with four goals.

But he also was caught out showboating in the second term.

Johnson was jogging – nearly strolling – into a goal when Savage ran him down with a fierce tackle and the kick went through for a behind.

A couple of minutes later, Johnson snapped an outstanding goal on the run that put Geelong in front just before halftime.

Meanwhile, Adelaide captain Taylor Walker slotted seven goals in an 87-point slaughter of Brisbane, which keeps the Crows in the top eight.

Walker was instrumental in a second quarter surge which set the Crows on path for a 20.11 (131) to 6.8 (44) win on Saturday night at Adelaide Oval.

The powerful forward booted three of his goals as Adelaide went on an eight-goal to nothing blitz in the second term.

The Crows took seventh spot from North Melbourne, who play ladder leaders Fremantle on Sunday.

Walker led a resounding victory before 45,527 spectators, with Eddie Betts potting three majors and five-gamer Rory Atkins and substitute Jarryd Lyons kicking two.

Forward Tom Lynch gathered 32 disposals while teammates Rory Laid (26 disposals), Ricky Henderson (26 possessions) and Rory Sloane (26 touches) were all prominent.

– with AAP

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