St Kilda ended an 11-game losing streak in the AFL Women’s competition with a narrow two-point victory over Collingwood at RSEA Park on Saturday. The 5.9 (39) to 5.7 (37) win also marked the final game for Saints coach Nick Dal Santo, who stepped down on Friday after a difficult start to the season that saw the team lose its first eight matches.

Dal Santo, a St Kilda hall of famer, has been at the helm of the club’s AFLW side for six seasons, guiding the team to its first finals appearance last year. His tenure concluded with a competitive performance on Saturday, as the Saints led by 10 points going into the final quarter and held off a late surge from the Magpies. Collingwood’s Ash Centra scored a goal with 30 seconds remaining, but the Saints’ defense maintained their edge.

The match, played during Pride Round, featured two struggling teams near the bottom of the ladder and was marked by a scrappy first quarter in which both sides had difficulty creating meaningful scoring opportunities. Commentators described the early play as largely reliant on long kicks rather than structured forward entries. Collingwood’s captain Ruby Schleicher left the field in the second quarter with a shoulder injury, adding to the challenges faced by the Magpies, who slipped to 1-8 for the season.

Saints forward Tyanna Smith was named best on ground, sparking a crucial third-quarter scoring run. Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw and Molly McDonald contributed key goals that helped put St Kilda ahead entering the final term.

Post-match, Dal Santo expressed pride in the team’s effort and reflected on his time in charge. “It’s been a delight and I’m really grateful for being a part of their journeys,” he said. The coach acknowledged that after five years, it was the right moment to move on.

St Kilda has announced it will conduct an independent review of its AFLW program, led by experienced Carlton administrator Brad Lloyd. The club will also initiate a search for a new senior coach as it looks to rebuild after a challenging season start.