GEELONG 10.16 (76) d ST KILDA 9.14 (68)

KEY POINTS

DANGER DOES THE JOB: In a dour struggle where class was at a premium, it was fitting that Patrick Dangerfield provided the game-breaking goal.

On the night the Cats opened the Joel Selwood Stand, it was another modern-day champion befitting of having a grandstand named after him who clinched the game for his club.

With the margin at just one point after the Saints rattled off three goals in as many minutes, Dangerfield marked a clearing kick then goalled from outside 50, sending the bulk of the 39,352 fans into delirium.

Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron provided the game’s highlights. Cameron ignited the Cats in the first quarter with a brilliant running goal reminiscent of Lance Franklin at his best.

This was not pretty, and far from the performance that has made the Cats a modern powerhouse, but Chris Scott’s men are on the board at their first attempt after dropping their first three games last year.

They controlled territory with 63 inside 50s to 44 but could not shake off the doggede Saints, who hung in there all night and threatened to steal the points late.

SAINTS’ GEELONG HOODOO CONTINUES: The Saints’ bogey down at Geelong will see a 26th year. This was as good a chance as they have had in snapping a losing streak that now stretches to 12, having not won here since round 10, 1999, when Stewart Loewe and Nathan Burke were still in the red, white and black.

The Saints had several chances in the first 10 minutes of the last quarter to seize the lead but could not make the most of a period in which they had the momentum.

Both Max King and Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera missed shots from outside 50 which would have put the Saints in front. King and Tim Membrey both looked in good nick but were denied opportunities for long periods to exert their influence on the game.

King could have had a belter of a night but was wasteful with two goals four.

Though their midfield was beaten recruits Riley Bonner and Liam Henry look like they will be useful acquisitions for Ross Lyon.

MAXIMUM VELOCITY: Pace is more important than ever in 2024 - and the move of Max Holmes into defence is shaping as a potential game-changer for the Cats.

The Cats are short of pace and need someone like Holmes, a runaway winner of last year’s grand final sprint, to spark up their ball movement.

The 21-year-old was one of the Cats’ best, providing plenty of dash with his 24 possessions from defence and a game-high 683 metres gained.

Though only in his fourth season - and first in the back line - Holmes has already found the right balance between offence and defence.

The Cats will also be pleased with another youngster in Oliver Dempsey, who was rewarded for his preseason with a first-up game. He repaid Chris Scott’s faith with three goals in a lively outing.

KEY STATS