Blues secure AFL finals spot as Saints suffer hamstring blow
· news
Blues Plant One Foot in the AFL Finals as Saints Lose Star to Hamstring
Carlton’s 44-point victory over St Kilda on Sunday night has all but sealed their wildcard spot in the AFL finals. The win was a crushing blow to the Saints’ chances of making the top eight, and it’s hard not to wonder if this result might be the final nail in the coffin for Ross Lyon’s side.
The season-ending injury to Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was the first major talking point of the game. Despite struggling with a hip issue all week, he managed to make it onto the field before suffering a likely hamstring injury that will keep him out for the remainder of the season. This devastating blow comes on top of Mason Wood’s calf injury, which could also prove to be a season-ender for the 10-year AFL veteran.
The Saints’ woes were compounded when Wood was ruled out late in the second quarter. This setback adds to the pressure on Lyon and his team as they fight to stay in contention for a top-eight spot. In contrast, Carlton’s win has sent shockwaves through the league. With this victory, they have moved to within one game of securing a wildcard spot.
Interim coach Josh Fraser is now almost unbackable favourite for the fulltime role after leading his team to a crucial win. The Blues’ fans chanted “we want Fraser” in the final minutes of the match, and it’s clear that his appointment as permanent coach would be a popular decision.
The top eight is starting to take shape, with Brisbane and Melbourne looking like they might lock up two spots. However, there are still plenty of teams in contention for the remaining spots. Adelaide faces a tough trip to Perth next week against Fremantle, but if they can come out on top, they could potentially join the top four.
The question remains: which team will take the final wildcard spot? Carlton, St Kilda, GWS, or North Melbourne are all still in contention. The answers to these questions will have to wait until next week, when the teams face off in a series of crucial matches that will determine their fate.
Reader Views
- RJReporter J. Avery · staff reporter
The Blues' resurgence is the real story here. Their coaching situation will be one to watch – Josh Fraser's success in this short-term stint has undoubtedly given him a leg up on the permanent gig. The question now is, can he keep up the momentum? But let's not forget St Kilda's woes run far deeper than just Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's injury; their inconsistency and lack of depth have been concerns all season. It's unclear whether Ross Lyon still has a job to save at this point.
- ADAnalyst D. Park · policy analyst
The St Kilda injury list is rapidly becoming a major concern for Ross Lyon's side, and it's clear that their top-eight hopes are hanging by a thread. While the Blues' win has boosted their wildcard prospects, I'm more interested in what this means for Josh Fraser's coaching future. If Carlton can secure a finals spot with Fraser at the helm, it'll be tough for the club to justify going back on their interim appointment. It'd send a message that performance, not just politics, drives decision-making at Princes Street Stadium.
- EKEditor K. Wells · editor
While Josh Fraser's win has catapulted him into favour for the permanent coach role, we shouldn't be too quick to write off Alastair Clarkson if he becomes available. Despite his rough start at the Blues, a seasoned coach with a track record like Clarkson could bring stability and much-needed experience to a team that needs it more than most. Fraser's ability to get results is undeniably impressive, but we can't ignore the risk of continuity and momentum being disrupted by another coaching change mid-season.