St Mary’s has held off a withering final quarter burst from South Barwon to remain unbeaten at the top of the GFNL ladder following a 12-point win at Anthony Costa Oval.
Leading by 37 points at the final change, and with the contest seemingly in their control, the reigning premier had to withstand a Hamish Sinnott-inspired charge from the Swans that reduced the margin to four points just before time-on.
However, a free kick to Saint Sam Bourke after South’s Paddy Bourke was pinged for a throw 15 metres out from goal proved to be the difference.
“That was stressful; I’ve lost a few years,” St Mary’s co-coach Ben Boseley told K rock Football in the moments after the match.
“We felt like we controlled the game for the first three quarters, and then we knew they were going to come at us.
“‘Neeldy’ (South Barwon coach Mark Neeld did throw the magnets around… and we planned for that.
“But to their credit, they capitalised and got some clear stoppage wins, and we lost a bit of balance.
“To be able to show that resilience and character, it was a super victory.
“We’re really excited, and we got the opportunity to blood some kids as well, so they’re living this experience with us, and we’re learning every week.
“But (we’re) very, very excited with that performance.”
St Mary’s defence, led by the ever-improving Hamish Bourke and the reliable Charlie Sprague, who held Mathieson medallists Matt Caldow and Fraser Fort to two goals apiece, was at its frugal best, especially in the first half, where South could only manage three first-half goals.
Boseley was also impressed with the performance of Harry Segrave, who was left out of the team selected on Thursday night, but earned a reprieve when co-captain Brayden Ham was a late withdrawal.
Noted for his forward work, he was sent into defence and produced a composed performance.
“An opportunity for Harry to grow and develop was to go back and play with a guy like ‘Pendles’ (Ryan Pendlebury) and to work with ‘Hammer’ (Bourke) and learn in that flex,” Boseley said.
“So we’ve got to build it. His career’s not just now; he’s moving into his career.
“So if we can, ‘Raynes’ (Luke Rayner) and I, balance between growth and the now and the present, we’ll throw the magnets around.
“And Harry Segrave gave us a perfect example. He did some great stuff today. He made some mistakes (and) that’s okay.”
Neeld was left frustrated by the performance, which snapped a five-match winning run.
“That’s really disappointing,” he said.
“St Mary’s, we know that they’re a great team; they haven’t lost a game.
“We played one quarter. St Mary’s didn’t allow us to play anywhere near where we can.
“Full credit to them, poor by us. We turned up at three-quarter time.”
Paddy Dowling kicked three goals for the Saints, with Lachy Peck kicking two goals as his impressive comeback from a serious knee injury continued, taking his season tally to 27 goals alongside Dowling.
Sinnott’s three goals in the former Carlton, Geelong and Essendon player’s best performance since arriving from Camperdown at the start of the season, were best for the Swans.
Taking the gloss off St Mary’s victory was a recurrence of an adductor injury suffered by co-captain Jack Blood late in the second quarter.
He is expected to be sidelined until after the bye.
The Saints host Grovedale next week, while South returns home to face Bell Park, which defeated Neeld’s men in Round 2.
A late goal from youngster Giuseppe Posterino and two important defensive marks from Angus Humphrey has helped St Joseph’s snatch a memorable one-point victory over Leopold at Memorial Park.
Trailing by five points after Lions star Marcus Thompson kicked his third goal of the contest at the 26-minute mark to give his team the lead for the first time in the second half, Posterino stepped up to help Joeys to a crucial 13.14 (92) to 13.13 (91) result.
The win maintans St Joseph’s eight-point gap on fifth spot, and keeps them in the mix for the double chance.
The Paddy De Grandi and Jack Jovanovic combination inside forward 50 again proved crucial, with both kicking four goals.
Kody Gallagher and captain Mitch Burgess were named Leopold’s best.
A Darcy Lang-inspired Colac has replaced Bell Park inside the top five following a 21-point victory at Australian Lamb Company Stadium.
Playing his first match since Round 3, the former Geelong and Carlton AFL player kicked a decisive four goals in the 10.9 (69) to 6.12 (48) result.
The Tigers restricted the Dragons to just one goal in the first half on their way to a fourth victory of the season.
Eli Pearce returned from injury to kick two goals for Bell Park. Tyler Pidgeon also contributed two majors.
Grovedale has marked Jacob Spolding’s re-signing as coach for the next two years with a 100-point hiding of Geelong West at Burdoo Reserve.
The Tigers’ 19.16 (130) to 4.6 (30) victory has moved them to within percentage of the top five.
Tom Gillett followed up his 15 goals last week with a four-goal effort, while Bradley Kreuger contributed three.
Torquay recruit Luke Wiitman kicked two mahors for the disappointing Giants.
Newtown & Chillwell has overcome a first-half challenge from St Albans to record a 36-point victory at St Albans Reserve, 12.14 (86) to 7.8 (50).
The Eagles trailed during time-on of the second quarter before late goals from Ben Pennisi and co-captain Ned Harris gave the visitors a 10-point lead.
Newtown & Chilwell kicked the only three goals of the third quarter, extending its advantage to 31 points.
In his second match back from injury, Geelong VFL-listed Pennisi kicked four majors, while Connor Fopiani finished with three.
Tom Higgins’ solid run of form in front of goals for the Supersaints continued. He kicked four goals to take his season tally to 28.
X: @krockfootball
