AFL LIVE: Cats threaten to fire away but Marshall keeps Saints within reach

Thank goodnesss the Saints have Rowan Marshall in the side tonight as he is one of the players keeping them in this match.

Marshall pushed forward and marked again before snapping truly from the pocket.

Campbell Lake followed that goal with a mark and goal of his own following a tidy pass from Max Hall.

It feels like the Saints are just hanging in their, let’s see if this lesser known Cats group has the firepower to take this game from the visitors or not.

Cats 56, Saints 35 with 14 mins to go in Q3.

The Cats moved the ball from defence through the corridor and found Shannon Neale on the lead.

He marked strongly and booted a goal.

Cats 56, Saints 23 with 17 mins to go in Q3.

Geelong put their foot down again but only extended their lead by another 13 points as they stretched the margin to 27 points at halftime.

The Saints missed two set shots inside the final minute which would have brought them closer.

Jay Polkinghorne was excellent but missed goal scoring opportunities while James Worpel, Gryan Miers, Bailey Smith and Max Holmes were dangerous.

The Cats have not played four quarters for a while so the game is up for grabs.

The inclusions have been good but they need more from their three forwards Ollie Henry, Shannon Neale and Patrick Dangerfield who have six touches between them.

St Kilda have lacked output from their key forwards but the Cats have starved them leading the inside 50 count 31-20.

The Cats are in control of this match as they head in for the half-time break as Bailey Smith and Gryan Miers impressed with their efficiency and drive during the second term.

Miers has two goals and could have had another but for an errant kick while Smith constantly won the footy in all parts of the ground.

The Cats pressure has been the real star as it is forcing the Saints into all kinds of errors.

Patrick Dangerfield was accidently hit in the head late in the half, but has so far played on without issue.

The Saints have finally kicked their first goal of the second term and it has come with three minutes to go.

Jack Higgins took a lofted handball from Cooper Sharman and booted a goal from the square, capping off an end-to-end move from the Saints.

But they have a long way back.

Cats 50, Saints 20 with two mins to go in Q2.

The Cats showed some desperation to get a finger on a goal-bound kick from Liam Ryan.

Then moments later they pushed forward and found Gryan Miers who kicked his second goal.

Miers is a classy finisher and the Saints are struggling once again.

Cats 40, Saints 13 with 12 mins to go in Q2.

Saints defender Jack Silvagni made a great feint to beat some Cats chasers while in defence but his low kick went straight to Gryan Miers who took one step and craftily put the ball through the goals.

Miers has been missed by the Cats who are loving having him back from the VFL tonight.

Cats 34, Saints 12 with 14 mins to go in Q2.

At one stage Geelong led by 26 points and they had 51 disposals to one in the forward half.

Yet, they have just a 14-point lead at the break after St Kilda settled and kicked two goals from stoppage.

Both sides have settled into the game which promises to become an arm wrestle.

After committing several turnovers in the first half of the quarter, the Saints worked out exits through handball and run and are back in this game.