Injury-plagued St Kilda recorded a convincing 32-point win over West Coast in their final practice match ahead of the 2024 AFLW season at Mineral Resources Park on Friday.

Despite the defeat Georgia Patrikios (Foot), Molly McDonald (corked thigh) and captain Hannah Priest (calf contusion) to game-ending injuries in the first half, the Saints got stronger and stronger as the game progressed and extended their lead in each quarter, leading to a convincing victory of 8.7 (55) to 3.5 (23).

Star striker Jesse Wardlaw dismantled the Eagles with four goals in the second half in an aerial masterpiece, while Grace Kelly was dominant on the wings and scored two exciting running goals in the first half.

The Saints were challenged early, with a defensive trio Paige Trudgeon, Bianca Jakobsson And Calm Watson They fought back bravely and kept the up-and-coming West Coast scoreless in the first quarter.

Recruit Trudgeon was particularly impressive throughout, with the former Blues’ work in intercepting passes likely to benefit St Kilda on their way to a first finals appearance in 2024.

After losing the battle in the midfield in the first quarter, the Saints put their opponents under pressure from then on and were the driving forces Jaimee Lambert And Tyanna Smith dominated distances, Olivia Vesely brought their typical pressure and first-year players Charlotte Simpson showed her class in spots.

Nicola Stevens impressed early on in her return as a half-back, while Nicola XenosTheir speed and creativity made them a dangerous attacking threat as the Saints dominated the battle for territory in the second half.

Head Coach of St. Kilda Nick Dal Santo said he was satisfied with his side’s reaction after the 44-point loss to North Melbourne last week in RSEA Park.

“I thought we played competitive and combative football almost the whole game,” said Dal Santo.

“When the fatigue set in in the second half and the initial nervousness and excitement found their balance again, I was really happy with the way we finished the game.

“There are some positives to be taken from it, but as always, we just need to keep doing things better for longer.”

Dal Santo said his team’s injuries did not appear serious.

“With Patrikios we will wait and see. It has something to do with the foot, but we are not overly worried yet,” he said.

“It was a precautionary measure and she is clearly a very good player and important to us, so we felt it was the best decision to take her off the field in the second quarter.

“Molly McDonald and Hannah Priest were both ‘Corkies’. They struggled to get back into the game and were hampered, but we also had 23 players, which put us at 21 away, and then Georgia (Patrikios) went off the field, so we played the second half with 20 (players) and then the last quarter with 19.”

The Saints will hope to build on a positive afternoon when they face Gold Coast in their season opener at People First Stadium on August 31.

WEST COAST 0.3 1.4 1.5 3.5 (23)
St Kilda 1.0 3.2 5.4 8.7 (55)

GOALS
St Kilda: Wardlaw 4, Kelly 2, friend, Boyd

INJURIES
St Kilda: Georgia Patrikios (foot), Molly McDonald (thigh hardening), Hannah Priest (calf hardening)