St Mary’s looks set to start its 2024 GFNL finals campaign from no worse than a qualifying final after storming home to beat Leopold in arguably the game of the season at Memorial Park.
On the back of the typical heroics of dual Mathieson medalist Harry Bendon and star forward Sam Dobson, the Saints overcame facing a 28-point deficit twice early in the third quarter to win by 11 points, 14.10 (94) to 12.11 (83).
St Mary’s kicked nine of the last 11 goals of the contest, including six of the last seven, after Lion Max Annandale’s fifth of the afternoon gave his team a 20-point lead in the opening minute of the final term.
“The second half was a little bit different to the first half in regards to our contribution across the board,” co-coach Luke Rayner told krockfootball.live after the match.
“We probably just had too few in the first half.
“So what I take out of it is, we were able to galvanise a bit as a group in the second half. We knew it was going to be a tough ask against a quality opponent out here (at Leopold), which is never easy.
“The contribution and the ability for everyone to play a part, even if it was a little moment, whether that be a tackle, or spoil, or a goal, etc, that’s the bit I take out of it.”
In the absence of injured duo Jarryd Garner and captain Jack Blood, Benson (20 disposals), who missed last week’s win over Newtown & Chilwell due to illness, and the returning Matt Keast (22 disposals) did much of the heavy lifting in the St Mary’s midfield.
“It’s obviously the conditions that someone like a Harry certainly loves,” Rayner said
“And (with) the amount of repeat stoppages, (he) was certainly able to dive into his weapon, I suppose, in regards to the influence he was able to have on the game.
“He’s had an outstanding year, and today was a continuation of that.”
Brayden Ham (28 disposals) was also important.
The former Essendon AFL player was daring with his ball use when the game needed to be won, resulting in goals for the Saints.
In his first game since the Round 9 win over Colac, Dobson was held to just one goal through the opening three quarters.
However, he stamped his imprimatur on the match with three goals in seven minutes in time on of the final term, including the goal that put the Saints ahead for the first time since the opening minutes of the game at the 27-minute mark.
Former Geelong Falcons captain Michael Rudd produced a performance that belied his age.
He kicked two goals but also sometimes spent time as a spare man in defence, holding up several Leopold forward forays.
“Moving positions, it’s fun sometimes; I like the challenge,” Rudd said.
“It gives you a different sense on the game, so it’s good.”
In his third GFNL senior game, former Queenscliff junior Annandale was efficient in kicking 5.2 from ten disposals.
Veteran Oli Tate also impressed with 22 disposals and seven tackles, while ruck Kyle Bumpstead also showed why he’s one of the GFNL’s most improved players in an absorbing battle with Saint Nick Minchin.
Leopold coach Garry Hocking preferred to reflect on the positives despite his team now part of a four-way battle for the remaining three positions in the top five.
“80 per cent we were pretty good, 20 per cent, we allowed St Mary’s to play their style,” he said.
“If we can just halve that (to) 10 per cent – you can’t always get it 100 per cent your way.
“So, if we can just make a few adjustments in that, particularly, last quarter because I thought for a large part of the game, we owned it.
“Against Joeys, same sort of thing. We gave up a good opportunity, but we won’t see the disappointment in that; we’ll see the positivity and a lot of the learning we can do out of that against a very, very good team we’ve always had great battles with.”
In good news for both teams, experienced players both featured in the reserves.
Leopold had premiership duo Luke Justin and Riley Stone in action, while Elijah Wales played his second game back from injury for St Mary’s.
The Lions will travel to Colac next Sunday for a crucial meeting with the fourth-placed Tigers, while the Saints will face Geelong West at West Oval.
As members of the club’s 1984 senior and reserves premierships reminisced on one side of the fence, Bell Park was ensuring it stayed in touch with the top five with a 56-point win over St Albans at Hamlyn Park.
The Dragons will think they should have won by more, kicking 11.22 (88) to 4.8 (32) in less-than-ideal conditions.
Hamish Dawson made the most of his recall to the senior team with a four-goal haul, while Euriah Hollard and Eli Pearace contributed two.
Ethan and Noah Guida, and Bailey and Cody Brogden battled hard for the Supersaints.
South Barwon gained an impressive 20 per cent as it handed Lara a 159-point hiding at Bisinella Oval.
After a competitive opening quarter, the Swans took a 14-point advantage into the first break before kicking 22 goals to one across the final three terms, including 11 in the last quarter.
Will Sexton was the best in front of goal for South with a career-high five goals, with Jonty Broughton and captain Matt Caldow finishing with four apiece.
Defender Dan Weigl and midfielder Connor Linehan-Cunningham, one of the Cats’ three individual goalkickers, battled hard.
A miserly Colac kept Newtown & Chilwell to just two goals as it produced a 62-point win at Elderslie Reserve, 11.12 (78) to 2.4 (16).
Ben McCarthy and Aaron Walters kicked two goals and featured among the Tigers’ best players.
Luke Maddock and Alex Dunn were their lone goalkickers on a tough day for the Eagles.
A fast start proved the difference as Geelong West registered its fifth win of the season with a 20-point victory over Grovedale at Burdoo Reserve, 13.6 (84) to 8.16 (64).
The Giants kicked 6.2 to 0.1 in the opening term and kept the Tigers at arm’s length for the remainder of the afternoon.
Mac Scoullar kicked a season-best three goals, while Emmanuel Ajang and Frazer Robb managed two majors.
Big man Ryan Abbott and key forward Tom Gillett kicked two apiece for Grovedale, which might have further reduced a 40-point three-quarter time margin if not for kicking 3.8 in the final term.
Unbeaten St Joseph’s outclassed North Shore to the tune of 92 points at Drew Oval.
Joeys opened up a 28-point buffer at quarter time as it powered to an 18.18 (126) to 6.2 (38) result.
Hunter Lewis finished with five goals, and Jay Kirwood a season-best four for the winners.
Will Milsome kicked three goals for the Seagulls.
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