Saints win clash of the AFL titans

Did you feel the shock waves where you were?

No, probably not. With the Wimbledon men's final and a full day of baseball, it's understandable that you missed one of the epic battles in AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL HISTORY.

Undefeated ST. KILDA beat previously undefeated defending champions GEELONG, 14.7 (91) to 13.7 (85), with Michael Gardiner kicking the winning goal in the final 90 seconds.

I have always had a soft spot for the winning Saints, because they won the AFL GRAND FINAL (the Down Under version of the Super Bowl) the year I was born.

Today's meeting of the undefeated league leaders was one of the most-hyped encounters in recent Australian sporting history. According to accounts, it more than lived up to the billing. St. Kilda held a 23-point advantage eight minutes into the fourth and final quarter.

Geelong fought back with five of the next six goals (goals count for six points, remember?) to level the scores with only five minutes remaining.

That set the stage for Gardiner to kick his fourth goal and the match-winner for the Saints -- on his 30th birthday, no less.

Nick Riewoldt (pictured, three goals) and Justin Koschitzke (two goals and a one-point behind) also helped power the St. Kilda attack.

Jimmy Bartel grabbed six marks to help propel Geelong's rally in the second half.

The rally wasn't enough, however, and now St Kilda stands proudly alone in first place with its record an unblemished 14-0.