A MASSIVE 23-8 free kick differential against St Kilda in its loss to the West Coast Eagles last night has left Saints fans fuming.

The Saints led by 25 points during the first term, and still held a 12-point lead early in the final quarter, but could not get the job done, despite having six more scoring shots than the Eagles in the 18.8 (116) to 13.19 (97) loss.

That didn’t stop Twitter going into a spin over the umpiring.

13-2 free kick count to the Eagles at half time. With Saints going much harder. Team first at the ball normally gets rub of the green — Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) April 1, 2017

Swans supporters should watch #AFLEaglesSaints to see what being crucified by the umpires actually looks like — Ashlea Wainwright (@A_N_Wainwright) April 1, 2017

Oh now it makes sense, that #AFLEaglesSaints umpiring was a big #aprilfoolsday prank by the @AFL ! Can we see the real result now ? — Des (@desb85) April 1, 2017

The umpiring was a rank disgrace AFL.#AFLEaglesSaints — Paul (@CalvinistPaul) April 1, 2017

The AFL need to seriously revaluate thier 'Umpires'. Some of the decisions they make are genuinely disturbing. #AFLEaglesSaints — Sam Murphy (@sammurphy66) April 1, 2017

But Saints coach Alan Richardson was philosophical after the match, saying his side was “a little bit unlucky”.

“I thought the 23 against — we were a bit sloppy,” Richardson said.

“We kicked it on the full a bit (as well). There isn’t much we can do about it.

“But I reckon early, I would have thought there was a bit of a chance, when we tackled and dispossessed, probably (we should) get a free kick.

“But there isn’t a lot of noise. West Coast fans are hardly going to yell out, ‘Holding the ball’ when we’re tackling.

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“And I’m not sure whether that puts pressure on umpires or reinforces what they might or might have not ... I don’t know.

“But it did look like we were a little bit unlucky.”

And Not all footy fans were buying the free kick excuse.

The Saints shot themselves in the foot in front of goal.

I fear we are turning into a nation of whiners. The umpires can't kick the Saints out of the game guys #AFLEaglesSaints — Robert Beaver (@Robert__Beaver) April 1, 2017

Kick straight and the free kick count won't be a issue but now instead of praising eagles we hear excuses #AFLEaglesSaints — Alex Kocovski (@alekoisawesome) April 1, 2017

After booting one goal from three disposals in the first three quarters, Eagles forward Josh Kennedy sprung to life in the final term.

The reigning Coleman medallist kicked three goals in the last quarter term to help secure the 19-point win in front of 37,749 fans.

The Saints were dealt a huge when star midfielder Jack Steven was taken to hospital after the match after copping a hit to the chest late in the game.

Scans later revealed the gun midfielder has a punctured lung.

Post game scans have revealed that Jack Steven sustained a punctured lung during a collision in late stages of #AFLEaglesSaints pic.twitter.com/CCjZHdJ3rX — St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) April 1, 2017

The result boosted West Coast to 2-0, while the Saints are 0-2 in a season where many pundits tipped them to reach the finals.

“There’s some games where you say you’re lucky to get away with it and didn’t deserve to win,” Eagles coach Adam Simpson said.

“We won three quarters, but it was a grind. To come through in that last quarter was really pleasing.”

When the Saints played West Coast in Perth last year, the Eagles booted the first nine goals of the match on the way to a 103-point win. But it was St Kilda who came out firing this time around, with the visitors scoring from 13 of their 14 entries into their forward-50 in the opening term.

The Saints’ lead at quarter-time would have been much bigger than 19 points had they kicked straight.

And inaccuracy haunted them again in the second quarter as a series of golden chances went begging.

A big turning point came late in the second quarter when Maverick Weller thought he had snapped a goal to give St Kilda a 25-point lead.

Eagles players were adamant Tom Barrass had got a fingertip to the ball, and the goal was eventually disallowed after a video review.

media_camera Maverick Weller’s superb effort at goal was overturned by the video umpire. Picture: AFL Media/Getty Images

West Coast kicked the next two goals to reduce the margin to nine points at halftime.

For all of St Kilda’s dominance, West Coast had plenty of potential upside.

Kennedy was goalless in the first half, while Sam Mitchell’s 12-disposal effort lacked efficacy.

But St Kilda continued to keep West Coast at bay — until Kennedy came to life in the last quarter.

Kennedy levelled the scores after kicking goals from two contested marks. And when he slotted his third for the term at the 25-minute mark, the Eagles were up by 12 points and on their way to victory.

Richardson said legendary forward Nick Riewoldt is a slight chance to return for next Sunday’s clash with Brisbane at Etihad Stadium.