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St Kilda were Gold Coast with three points in controversial circumstances to condemn the finals-chasing Suns to their sixth road loss in as many tries.
With Gold Coast leading by three points at Marvel Stadium, young Suns defender Mac Andrew was penalized for holding Saints blade Max King off the ball as the pair clashed near goal.
WATCH ABOVE: Mac Andrew explodes as thrilling finish turns into dramatic free-kick.
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With less than three minutes remaining, much to Andrew’s dismay, King converted from point-blank range and St Kilda held on for a 7.9 (51) to 7.6 (48) victory in front of 17,992 fans on Saturday night.
“He’s doing it to me! My God. It has to go both ways!” Andrew told the judge.
Luke Darcy, on commentary, noted that the free-kick was taken “about 100 meters” from the ball.
As the replays rolled on, both Geelong premiership captains Cameron Ling struggled to come to terms with the decision: “Bit of a tangle. I don’t like it. I’m not a fan of it at all,” Ling said.
Former Essendon captain Jobe Watson added: “A lot of touches off the ball – both players do it to each other. There was no apparent retreat from King’s Andrew.’
Gold Coast coach Damien Hardwick said I thought it was “obviously a free kick that was unjustified”.
“These guys fight all day. I just think the ref is calling it that it’s his job but it’s unfair on mine,” he said.
The drama spared St Kilda blushes just minutes after Suns captain Tuk Miller escaped from Marcus Windhager’s tag to give the visitors the lead for the first time after the Saints dominated much of the game without reward.
Hardwick’s Suns (7-6) had the opportunity to cement themselves in the top eight – and stay outside the top four just by percentage – with a win, but instead will drop out of the top eight by the end of the round.
“It was a terrible game to be completely honest. Terrible footwork,” the coach said.
“We’re a part of it but it’s not a game I love to be honest… it’s been a tough fight.”
Ross Lyon’s St Kilda (5-8) are 14th, two wins off the finals places.
For the Saints, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (28 disposals) and Jack Sinclair (31 touches) were classy, while Rowan Marshall (24 disposals, seven clearances) and Jack Steele (20 touches, six clearances) started working inside.
Sam Collins worked hard in defense all game for the Suns, while Sam Flanders (42 disposals) continued his prolific form at halfback and Noah Anderson (29 touches) tackled hard.
St Kilda’s Dan Butler kicked two goals in the opener and three for the game.
Butler’s first strike came in controversial fashion after Andrew was penalized for pushing him off the ball, with the small forward going down easily before converting.
That helped the Saints take a 12-point lead at the first shift.
But St Kilda suffered an early blow with defender Dougal Howard forced off with a thigh injury and replaced by veteran Seb Ross.
In the second and third quarters, the Saints failed to make their dominance count and led by just eight points at the last change.
Talented young Suns defender Bodhi Uvland made a great flying contested mark over Max King early in the final round, then stopped a potential goal with a toe-kick.
The Suns continued to press and finally hit the front for the first time when Miller pounced on Ned Moyle and clicked for real.
But King’s late goal left the Suns rueing what might have been.
– with 7NEWS
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