Saints pip Cats in a classic

St Kilda fans have waited a long time for former West Coast ruckman Michael Gardiner to show anywhere near his All-Australian form for the Eagles but that long wait proved worth it on Sunday when he proved the hero in the epic six point win over Geelong in the battle of the AFL's two unbeaten teams.

The eagerly-awaited blockbuster between the AFL's two best teams - the latest that two unbeaten teams have met in the competition's 112 year history - lived up to its huge billing on Sunday as the Saints showed enormous character to withstand a fantastic last quarter fightback from the Cats to win 14.7 (91) to 13.7 (85)

The clash was played in front of a record crowd at Etihad Stadium of 54,444 and the atmosphere was simply electric in the dying minutes when scores were level - after the Cats had come from 23 points down at the nine minute mark of the final term - when Gardiner completed his transformation from former bad boy to footballing hero.

With just over one minute remaining Gardiner, who did not even play a single game in his first season at St Kilda in 2007 after being sacked by the Eagles at the end of 2006 following a series of off-field incidents, took a screamer in the goalsquare to all but lift the roof off Etihad Stadium.

Unfortunately Geelong defender Harry Taylor was seriously injured in the huge pack that contested the mark but after a long delay - which must have seemed an eternity for both Gardiner and the huge crowd - the 2003 All-Australian calmly went back and slotted the winning goal for the Saints.

St Kilda had to hang on for another minute before victory was theirs as the Saints won their 14th game in a row to start the season while the Cats suffered only their fourth loss in 59 games - dating back to Round 6, 2007 - and their first this season.

But the Cats lost no admirers in defeat and had 2007 Norm Smith Medalist and this year's leading goalkicker in Steve Johnson not been a late withdrawal due to a bruised hip, the result may have been different.

The Cats were also without number one ruckman Brad Ottens, out since Round 2 with a knee injury, and his expected return in a fortnight cannot come quickly enough for the Cats given Gardiner's dominance on Sunday.

Up against the inexperienced Shane Mumford and the underachieving Mark Blake, Gardiner was the difference between the two sides in kicking four goals - including two in the final term and one in the Saints' first term onslaught.

The Saints had come into the game on the back of 15 straight wins at Docklands by an average of 44 points while the Cats had won their past 13 at the venue by an average of 60 points so something had to give.

It was also a case of the AFL's best defence St Kilda - which has conceded an average of just 58 points per game this season and is still yet to concede 100 points in a game this year - against the AFL's best attack in Geelong, which has averaged 116 points per game this year.

But in front of a pro Saints' crowd - with thousands of Geelong fans denied the chance to see the game after the AFL failed to switch the clash to the much bigger MCG which was vacant on Sunday - it was the home side which came out inspired.

The Saints booted five goals in the opening 17 minutes before Geelong even scored one and it was this period which ultimately decided the game.

While the Cats worked incredibly hard to reduce the five goal margin over the middle two quarters - as star midfielders Paul Chapman (40 possessions), Jim Bartel (37) and Joel Selwood (30) began to gradually take control of the game - the Saints defence held firm.

And when Gardiner goaled to extend the lead back out to 23 early in the last term, the Cats appeared gone.

But the Cats showed why they have been on the longest run of sustained success in AFL history by launching an incredible fightback, sparked by a lucky goal to Chapman which only bounced through after Gardiner unluckily fell over in the goalsquare.

And when Cameron Mooney goaled from 60 metres out, the Cats were within five points with just over eight minutes remaining.

After Steven Milne, who was barely sighted for most of the game goaled to ease the pressure for the Saints at the 20 minute mark, the margin was back to two goals but goals from Darren Milburn and then Mathew Stokes levelled the scores with just under five minutes remaining.

The Cats were desperately unlucky when confusion over an advantage call - which was given but should not have been - cost them the chance to hit the front with just over two minutes remaining before Gardiner's sheer brilliance ultimately decided the epic contest.

But while the Cats were superb in defeat, the Saints deserved this win because they led all day and showed enormous character to withstand the fast-finishing Cats.

While Gardiner was the hero he received great support from skipper Nick Riewoldt who booted three goals while defenders Sam Gilbert and Jason Blake were superb while Lenny Hayes led from the front in midfield and surprise packet Andrew McQaulter was instrumental in the Saints' early dominance with his ability to find space and pinpoint kicking across half-forward.