- Dougal Howard joined the Sydney cheerleading squad
- St Kilda managed to save a goal from the Swans
- His intervention was crucial to the Saints’ victory.
St Kilda on stage A massive American League surprise, beating leaders Sydney by two points in Melbourne.
And technical analysts could point to a monumental defensive effort from Dougal Howard as the moment that secured the team’s victory on Sunday.
Enjoying a 28-point lead in the early stages of the third quarter, the Swans looked set to extend their advantage when Nick Blakey kicked the ball towards goal.
Even the Channel 7 commentary team was resigned to another six points being added to the score, but Howard backed his ability to chase the ball.
He threw a hand out to Sherrin but was unable to stop his own momentum and he leapt over the boundary barrier before landing into the Swans’ cheerleading squad, who then celebrated wildly as the goal referee awarded their team the full six points.
However, a review of the goal revealed that Howard had barely touched the ball with his fingertips, resulting in a behind.
St Kilda won the match by just two points, meaning Howard’s intervention was crucial in securing victory.
Dougal Howard found himself on the Sydney Swans cheerleading squad on Sunday.
But his goal-saving intervention helped the Saints beat the Swans in Melbourne.
For the second week in a row, Swans striker Logan McDonald missed a late shot on target as the Saints held on 13.6 (84) to 11.16 (82) at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
Sydney star Isaac Heeney’s Brownlow Medal hopes could also be dashed after he struck opponent Jimmy Webster in an off-the-ball incident.
The Saints trailed by five goals in the third period but won resoundingly with nine of the game’s final 11 goals.
Ruckman Rowan Marshall and defenders Jack Sinclair, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Callum Wilkie were among St Kilda’s best, while youngster Mattaes Phillipou had an impressive final stint in midfield.
Last week, McDonald missed his kick after the final siren at home as Sydney suffered an unexpected defeat to Fremantle.
This time, his long-range shot at the end of the fourth quarter looked good, but it faded late and meant one point, which turned out to be the last of the game.
Sydney’s notoriously slow starts looked set to continue as the Saints scored the first two goals.
But the Swans quickly settled down and the score was tied going into the fourth quarter.
With Sydney star Chad Warner scoring twice, his team raced into a 25-point lead in the second period and the game looked to be going according to plan.
The margin widened to 30 points early in the third quarter before the game blew up.
The Saints scored four goals in six minutes and fell behind by just six points.
Then Sydney stepped forward and as Heeney took a mark, Webster was on his knees behind him, holding his face.
The Saints defeated table leaders Swans in a shock result at Marvel Stadium
Replays showed Heeney moving his arm back and away from Webster to take possession.
Heeney ran towards Webster immediately after kicking the goal.
The Swans star scored another goal two minutes later and Sydney had a 19-point lead at the final change.
But the Saints scored four goals to nil in the final period to claim an improbable victory, just days after losing key striker Max King for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
It also comes a week after Port Adelaide beat them by less than a goal at the same venue.