BEYOND THE BOUNDARY – AUGUST 5
St Albans coach Rick Munn says he is “genuinely excited” by what the club can achieve in 2027 despite the potential of finishing this year with fewer wins than in 2025.
The Supersaints hold a 4-10 win-loss record heading into the final four rounds of the season, which includes meetings with South Barwon, Colac, Bell Park and Newtown & Chilwell.
They claimed six victories in Munn’s first campaign as coach.
However, that included beating the bottom two, North Shore and Lara, twice by an average of 160 points.
There were five losses by greater than 80 points, including three triple-figure margins.
2026 has seen the real ugly defeats disappear, with a 70-point margin against Leopold in Round 13 the Supersaints’ biggest loss of the year.
As a result, their percentage is just shy of 93 per cent, reflecting their competitiveness.
“When I first took on the role, we had a three-year plan to compete for finals in year three,” Munn, who last month signed a contract extension until the end of 2029, said.
“Although we had six wins last year, we’re at four so far this year; we sort of knew year three, if we could keep our group together and keep adding.
“Initially, our first two years is, ‘Let’s just try and add as much talent as we possibly can through the door and we’ll just work it out’. I think that’s really what we had to do.
“Whereas this year… (the) twos are going really well at 12 o’clock, we’re squeezed on points every week.
“I don’t think there’s been once this year where I’ve looked up on the whiteboard and been able to pick our best 22, because we have been squeezed on points, which is another story.”
Already contracted until the end of next year, Munn had no hesitation in extending his tenure until at least the end of 2029, welcoming the show of faith the club is showing in him.
“And the people around me, and what we’ve done so far together in nearly two years,” he said.
“It’s been fun, challenging, and I think the best is still yet to come for us.”
With “90 per cent of our list re-signed already”, the show of faith from the Supersaints’ hierarchy is reflected in the playing group.
“And we’ve got a few commitments already for next year that… played high-level footy, and we’ll be able to come in and impact,” Munn said.
“We’re genuinely excited about what we can do.
“We’ve been competitive. You have the chats with the opposition coaches and supporters after the game, and they give you the pat on the back.
“But as I keep saying to my boys, I’ve had enough of those, and it’s time we take a scalp.
“We’ve got four weeks to do that this year and keep building for next year.”
Munn has five changes for the clash with South Barwon.
Zac Cutropia, who joined St Albans from St Joseph’s in the off-season, will make his debut; co-captain Jacob Russell returns after missing last week; Tyson Roberts will play his first match since Round 6; and Riley Somers and Lachie Foster have been recalled from the reserves.
They replace Koby Harris (illness), Will Lane (ankle), Hunter Dickson (quad), Ben Wolfenden (unavailable), and Zac Larkins.
The Swans, who sit third with an 11-4 win-loss record, have included Geelong VFL midfielder Paddy Kelly after an extended injury layoff and the experienced Kelly O’Neil.
Tom Bartlett is sidelined with an ankle issue, while Hamish Sinnott is battling soreness.
Newtown & Chilwell (2nd, 11-3) has made four changes for its crucial clash with Bell Park (4th, 10-5) at Jardon Oval.
The Eagles, who will take a giant step towards the double chance with a second victory of the season over the Dragons, welcome back Ben Pennisi from Geelong VFL duty.
Alex Dunn returns from injury, while Archer Harkness and Charlie Field have been recalled from the reserves.
They replace Noah Tullio, who has earned a quick recall to Werribee’s VFL lineup, Liam Nash (unavailable), Blake Sutterby (managed), and Alex Souflas.
Bell Park gets back Rhys McWaters and Euriah Hollard at the expense of Charlie Trezise and Ayden Osborne.
Leopold (7th, 7-8) has some handy inclusions for its meeting with Grovedale (9th, 4-10) at Burdoo Reserve.
Mason Williams and Jed Henderson return from Geelong VFL duty, vice-captain Jett Matthews is available following suspension, Billy Ritchie is back after being managed, and Kody Gallagher is back after being a late withdrawal from last week’s loss to Bell Park.
They’ve replaced Archie Eichler, Xavier Hayter, Anthony Tanner and James Peters, while Max Chambers returns to the finals-bound Lions under-18s.
The Tigers, who defeated the Lions in their previous meeting in Round 6, will be without talented ruck Caiden Gardiner, who will make his debut for VFL club Werribee.
Paul Roberts Potter has been omitted, with Leigh Ellis and Jack Kelly returning.
St Mary’s (1st, 13-1) will face North Shore (12th, 0-15) without co-captain Brayden Ham, Charlie Lang, Elliot McDonald, Josh Sanders and Ollie Flynn for the clash at Windsor Park.
All five have been managed.
Under-18 graduate Forbes Gilmore and former Maryborough player Tom Myers have been named to make their debuts; Hamish Bourke returns after being managed last week, with Noah Biggs and Nick Saunders promoted from the reserves.
On Sunday, Geelong West (10th, 2-12) hosts St Joseph’s (5th, 10-5) at Scaada Stadium.
The Giants have suffered a blow, with experienced pair Titit Nyak and Angus Codd, who ranks highly in the GFNL for intercept disposals and marks, both missing through injury.
Tomos Drennan (groin) and Flynn Eastmure are also out of the team that lost to St Albans before last week’s bye.
They’ve been replaced by Geelong VFL star Tanner Lewis, Jay Kaltenbach, Duwahar Jock and debutant Archie Porter.
Joeys welcome back Mal White from VFL club Port Melbourne and will debut under-18 graduate Max Diamond.
They replace playing co-coach James Gow (managed) and Lochie Hocking.
Finals hopefuls Colac (6th, 8-7) have the bye.
More to come
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