Somehow, I managed to survive the last quarter, and with seven minutes to go, the scores were even. I can't describe the feeling, though when Geelong scored a goal (from a trademark Chapman snap) and a point, which meant that St Kilda had to kick two goals in the remaining seconds to win: a point from the Saints, then a mark to the Cats in the forward line just before the siren and it was all over...
The feeling of desolation was not the same as the loss in 1997; the Saints last GF appearance, when they were thumped by Adelaide who had a burst of brilliant play in the third quarter to break to game apart.
This game is likely to go down as one of the great matches, a titanic struggle, and a battle of wills. Unfortunately, there has to be a winner, and a loser.
In the psyche of the long time Saints supporter, we never really think we can win, until the siren goes. This season we've got used to winning, but can never take it for granted, and rightfully so.
Maybe next year....
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