St Albans spearhead Tom Higgins has put himself in the frame to become the first Supersaint in a decade to win the GFNL goalkicking.
The West Australian recruit kicked seven goals in the club’s 151-point hammering of Lara at Lara Recreation Reserve to take his season tally to 38, six behind St Mary’s talisman Paddy Dowling with seven rounds to play.
Higgins’ return is the best in a season by a Supersaint since Billy Beardsell’s 33 goals in 2016.
Jase Perkins became just the second St Albans player to lead the GFNL goalkicking after Wayne Tyquin with 87 goals in 2015.
Supersaints coach Rick Munn says the return of Nic Clarke from injury has helped take all the focus off Higgins.
“He was really dangerous; he’s one of the better key forwards in the comp,” Munn said of Higgins.
“If we can keep giving him some supply, he’ll keep being damaging.
“I think it helps having Nic Clarke back; he takes another key defender, which means they can’t sag off our players and get two or three on one on Higgo.
“That is probably what’s happened in the last sort of five or six weeks. But yeah, having ‘Clarkey’ back really helps us for sure.”
SCOREBOARD – ROUND 11 (PART TWO)
After a relatively even first quarter, where St Albans took a 16-point lead after conceding the first goal, the visitors went on to completely dominate the contest and claim the Peter Kelly Cup for the first time.
The Supersaints kicked 21 goals after quarter time to notch their fourth win of the season and start a block of some winnable matches in the right fashion.
“We’ve got aspirations of being in that seventh, eighth spot; we’re not going to shy away from it,” Munn said.
“The next four weeks, we’ve called it ‘Big Boy Month’. We really want to take a scalp as well.
“As a group, we’re ready for that and we’re ready to embrace it.
“We’re keen to take a scalp and start aiming a little bit higher.”
Win or lose, the next seven weeks are also about laying a foundation for 2026.
“We’ve made some tough decisions at selection over the last couple of weeks to really back that up,” he said.
“We’re going to play the boys that want to play the St Albans brand and our DNA.
“That can be tough. But, yeah, we’ve made some calls and we’re ready to back that up.
“I think all our leadership have already recommitted for next year.
“I think that’s a good sign for the footy club and the program putting together.”
Lucas Gray and Ethan Guida provided good support for Higgins, finishing with three goals apiece.
Midfielder Fletcher Keck and defender Kye Warrin also impressed.
“I think Fletcher Keck is criminally underrated,” Munn said. “He really should be getting an opportunity at VFL level or at least a preseason.
“He’s all class, and his speed and power and ball use, especially in the front half, really deserve some credit.
“And Kye Warrin down back. He plays undersized most weeks, but he competes and doesn’t like getting beaten.
“I thought he was outstanding.”
Rhyland Burgoyne kicked the lone goal for the Cats, and he was among their best, along with Flynn McGuane and Cam Edwards.
St Albans will chase a fifth win in a season for the first time since 2019 when it hosts Colac in Round 12.
Lara takes on Grovedale at Burdoo Reserve.
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