The immediate focus at St Mary’s may well and truly be on consecutive GFNL premierships, but Saturday’s 16-point win over fellow flag hopeful Newtown & Chilwell also provided a glimpse into the future at Anthony Costa Oval.
In their tenth match since last year’s success, the Saints went into the contest with just 12 members of the team that defeated St Joseph’s on the last Friday in September.
But despite missing the likes of co-captains Jack Blood and Brayden Ham, Bayley Cockerill, Elijah Wales and Charlie Speague, and forward duo Sam Bourke (back) and Paddy Dowling (groin) battling injury, St Mary’s showed why they’re still the team to beat, with a 14.9 (93) to 12.5 (77) result.
“We wouldn’t mind some players coming back, I’ll say that,” co-coach Ben Boseley, who is flying solo with Luke Rayner overseas, told K rock Football.
“But an excellent performance, and I’m really proud of the players.
“We’ve got some players that have had a look the last six weeks because of injuries. It is that man-in, man-out (approach), and that’s the only way.
“Otherwise, you look at who’s out, and you think, ‘Oh, I’m not sure how this is going to go.’
“So, we’ve just got complete confidence on all the players, and whoever plays, we’ll back them in.
“And as long as they stick to the plan, this is what should happen.”
Newtown & Chilwell, which welcomed back Liam Nash, Jedd Coburn and Logan Morey for the clash but lost Mitch Dodos to a fractured leg, made the early running, thanks to goals from Nash and the first of three for the afternoon from Ben Pennisi.
The Eagles kept the home team scoreless until the 17-minute mark of the opening term when Jesse Travaglini goaled.
Pennisi kicked his second during time-on only, and then, only moments before the siren, Dowling stormed through a contest to kick a goal that few others can, reducing the deficit to two points at the first change.
Newtown & Chilwell threatened to break the match open with early goals from Nash and Nick Jephson, extending its lead to 15 points.
However, the Saints kicked the remaining three goals of the quarter to lead by six points at the main break.
Pennisi bobbed up again early in the third quarter to level the scores before Jedd Coburn gave the visitors a seven-point lead.
However, a three-goal burst from St Mary’s, started by best-on-ground Elliot MacDonald and including a quality finish from Nick Dowling, had the margin at 13 points in the home team’s favour just before time-on.
Saints veteran Jesse Travaglini pushed the lead to a game-high 18 points at the 31-minute mark before Jesse Colville dribbled a classy goal a minute later to cut the margin to two goals with a quarter to play.
St Mary’s youngster Ollie Flynn, who was involved in a head clash with Eagle Tom Kiddle in the third quarter, returned to the fray and made the margin again 18 points early in the final term before Jephson replied.
However, Newtown & Chilwell were unable to reduce the deficit to single digits, with Willson adding two more goals, including a classy finish in front of the Saints’ faithful in front of the Don Mathieson Pavilion that ensured a 16th consecutive victory.
Despite their second loss of the season, Eagles coach Steve Johnson remained upbeat about his team’s ability to compete against the reigning premier.
“We were pretty competitive, I thought, today,” Johnson said. “(We) had a real crack, so (I) can’t question the effort of the players.
“I thought we were dominant in the first quarter. but didn’t quite put it on the scoreboard.
“And then there was a little bit of execution going forward, some poor entries.
“Probably the biggest thing that I think we take away is the balance around the contest.
“I thought they were outstanding when the ball was in a 50-50 situation; making sure they had the outer ring around where the ball was covered, and they were able to exit from that outnumber a lot today.
“So that’s a thing that we need to train and practice and prepare for.”
Co-captain Ned Harris was again outstanding for Newtown & Chilwell, and has to be a show a winning consecutive Mathieson medals.
Defender Chas Karpala and the smooth-moving Charlie Byrne also impressed for the Towners.
They face the improving Colac at Jardon Oval ahead of the league-wide bye.
Acting St Mary’s skipper Harry McMahon and Werribee VFL-listed Lara recruit Josh Sanders were standouts for the winners.
The Saints travel head down the Bellarine Highway to Leopold, looking to maintain their perfect start to the season.
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