St Mary’s will enter the GFNL’s second bye sitting in third spot after holding off a late charge from Leopold to claim a 16-point victory at Anthony Costa Oval.
Leading by as much as 36 points during the third quarter, there were a few nervous moments in the closing minutes as the two-time reigning premier cut the margin to nine points.
However, the Saints repelled another forward foray from the Lions before a goal after the siren from Sam Bourke made the final score 12.17 (89) to 11.7 (73).
The victory was St Mary’s seventh in the past eight meetings with Leopold.
“It was probably a bit closer in the end than I would have liked,” co-coach Luke Rayner told K rock Football post-match.
“Unfortunately, when you don’t convert probably what you think are the shots you should kick, then the quality sides or the sides that genuinely have come to play, as Leopold did today in my view, you just keep the gate open a little bit.
I felt like we had enough of the play, enough ascendancy, but we just didn’t do the damage on the scoreboard.
“And to Leopold’s credit, they certainly fought it out right to the end.”
St Mary’s went into the clash without playing assistant coach Ryan Pendlebury, who was sidelined due to a suspension handed down by the Goulburn Murray tribunal from his time as coach of Goulburn Valley League club Euroa.
An appeal against the ban is likely to be heard later this week, but Rayner said the situation hasn’t impacted the players.
“I think the club’s done a really good job in terms of just keeping it isolated from a situation point of view,” he said.
“The players had zero awareness of it until Thursday night when they were told.
“It’s from previous history…. the club’s trying to work through it now.
“All we can do as a club is support the player, and Ryan’s done nothing but been a positive impact and a positive influence from the moment he stepped into our doors.
“Naturally, we will support him and defend him on that basis.”
Despite his absence, the St Mary’s defence, led by Charlie Lang, Nick Connors and Hamish Bourke, worked hard against the potent Leopold forward line, with Bourke earning praise for his work from Rayner.
“He’s just the best human being, in terms of just he loves it; he’s kind, he’s nice, but he’s very competitive and very driven,” Rayner said.
“We’re really comfortable as a coaching group to probably give him the most dangerous forward week in, week out that we see fit at any given time.
“He just loves the challenge; he’s always up for it.
“The ridiculously good thing is he’s 20 years of age. He’s just going to continue to develop and grow.
“He’s an absolute ripper, and the boys love him.”
In an at times dour contest, league-leading goalkicker Paddy Dowling provided memorable moments with two of his three goals.
His first late in the opening quarter from a tight angle in the left forward pocket at the northern end of the ground defied physics.
His second goal early in the second quarter followed a sublime half-volley pick-up, followed by a swivel and left-foot snap.
For a good measure, he also climbed above the pack in the first quarter next to the goal post to take an impressive mark.
Sam Bourke also kicked three goals.
Connor Giddings and second-gamer Henry Hawker finished with three goals apiece for Leopold.
The Lions, who debuted Geelong Falcon Harry Morphet and Lake Wendouree recruit Lewis Gilberet, went into the clash without premiership quartet Logan Wagener, Mitch Burgess, Jett Matthews and Kyle Bumpstead from the team that lost to Bell Park last week.
However, despite the loss, Kelly couldn’t fault his players’ effort.
“It was really led by our leaders and our senior players,” he said.
From Marcus Thompson and Tom Feely inside, with Tate Porter to Harris Jennings and Trent Thompson, and then our big boys, Sam Scott and ‘Giddo’ (Giddings).
“I just thought the senior boys set the tone, and that’s what you’re after.
“When you’re blooding as many young guys as we are, those senior guys need to set the tone and allow the young guys to show their weapons, which, again, we got to see the best of our young guys.”
Leopold will hope to welcome back Burgess and Wagener, along with Tylar Watts and Brock Williamson, for the crucial clash with South Barwon after the bye.
St Mary’s faces its return meeting with ladder leader St Joseph’s at Drew Oval just six rounds after their Big Freeze classic.
Bell Park has strengthened its claims on a second-straight finals berth, keeping Newtown & Chilwell to its equal-lowest score of the season in a 33-point win at Hamyln Park.
The Dragons opened up an 11-point lead at quarter-time, and kept the Towners at arm’s length for the remainder of the contest to run out victorious, 12.12 (84) to 7.9 (51).
Jack Sarcvic kicked three goals, while big man Jacob Nihill and midfielder Jett Bermingham impressed for Bell Park.
Former Geelong rookie Oscar Murdoch and forward Connor Fopiani (four goals) were the Eagles’ best.
Colac made light work of Grovedale at Central Reserve, claiming a 92-point win in the Battle of the Tigers.
The home team opened up a 44-point lead after keeping the visitors goalless in the first quarter before cruising to a 17.20 (122) to 4.6 (30) victory.
Big man Zach Zdybel and midfielder Ben McCarthy were again impressive for Colac, with Adam Garner (four goals) finishing off the good work up the field.
Billy Ford and Ryan Abbott battled hard for Grovedale.
An eight-goal haul from Fraser Fort was the highlight as South Barwon handed Geelong West an 84-point hiding at West Oval, 17.15 (117) to 4.9 (33).
Leading by 15 points at quarter time, the Swans blew the contest apart with an eight-goal second quarter.
Ethan Borys and Todd White were also standouts for the visitors.
Titit Nyak kicked two goals for West, who were best served by Angus Codd and Josh Dwyer.
Jack Mullen and Oscar Morrison dined out on the gulf in talent between St Joseph’s and North Shore, each kicking seven goals as the ladder leaders posted a 203-point victory.
Joeys kicked ten goals in the third quarter and nine apiece in the first and final terms in the 32.24 (216) to 2.1 (13) result.
Captain Jacob Sammut kicked the Seagulls’ only majors, which both came in the last quarter.
X: @krockfootball
