In a stunning display of resilience, St Kilda achieved the largest comeback in VFL-AFL history, overcoming a daunting 46-point deficit to secure a nail-biting six-point victory over Melbourne at Marvel Stadium. The match culminated in a chaotic finish, with both teams tied on 90 points and just eight seconds left on the clock.
As teams prepared for a centre bounce, Melbourne was penalised for a 6-6-6 infringement, fielding too few players. St Kilda’s Rowan Marshall capitalised on the confusion, sending a kick to Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, who marked inside the 50 and subsequently kicked the decisive goal after the final siren. The Saints’ final score was 15.6 (96) compared to Melbourne’s 13.12 (90).
The fourth quarter was utterly dominated by St Kilda, who scored nine unanswered goals while shutting the Demons out completely. This remarkable turn of events left Melbourne’s players—among them captain Max Gawn—perplexed as they scrambled to understand the situation. A flurry of confusion ensued, with players rushing into positions, unsure of the umpire’s decisions.
Umpire Nick Brown was keen to clarify the necessary setup, instructing Melbourne to ensure four players were positioned in the middle for the bounce and to establish their starting positions correctly. Even as Melbourne sought to regroup, it was evident that they were still in breach of the rules, resulting in the enforcement of the 6-6-6 penalty.
The moment was emblematic of the chaos of the conclusion, leaving spectators, whether in the stadium or watching from home, astonished by the dramatic unfolding. Both Gawn and teammate Christian Petracca hurried back to the centre, while the coaching staff, including Melbourne’s Simon Goodwin, appeared bewildered by the mishap.
Ultimately, St Kilda’s remarkable resurgence, characterised by focus and determination, has gone down in history as one of the most improbable victories in Australian Rules football. The confusion surrounding the final play, coupled with Melbourne’s missteps, made for an unforgettable ending to the match.