Outgoing coach Alex Tortora says he’s taking pleasure in the joy his players are experiencing following St Albans’ maiden win of the 2024 GFNL season.
Without a victory since Round 16 last year, the Supersaints held off a final-quarter charge from Newtown & Chilwell to record a 10-point win, 9.3 (57) to 5.17 (47), at Concept Oval.
Not only did it snap a 15-game losing streak, but it was St Albans’ first win over the Eagles since Round 15, 2016.
It also represented 189-point turnaround from the Round 3 meeting between the two clubs on a day where the Supersaints were held goalless.
“Before and during the game, we spoke about getting it done for themselves,” Tortora said.
“The work that they’ve put in and the resilience they’ve shown – it’s been really tough.
“We knew that if we brought the pressure and maintained the pressure and intensity, that we’d give ourselves a really good show today.
“I’m proud of the boys. I’m happy that they can see that they can actually play at the level.
“When they bring certain traits to each game, they can certainly be more than competitive.”
St Albans had Newtown & Chilwell on the back foot early, kicking the first six goals of the contest.
Tortora said the fast start instilled the belief in his players that they could end the day with the four points.
“The boys, to their credit, maintained the pressure and the heat for about three-and-a-half quarters before we started to tire, and Newtown kicked a few late goals,” he said.
“But, we managed to get the job done before we ran out of legs.
“That fast start was crucial in setting the game up for us.”
St Albans held a 32-point lead when it goaled at the six-minute mark of the final term.
However, the Eagles ensured some nervous moments in the Supersaints coaches’ box as they registered the last seven scoring shots of the contest.
“The last two minutes felt like an hour,” Tortora said.
“It felt like the decisions that were going our way because we were first to the ball started to go their way.
“And the ball started bouncing their way because they had momentum and speed on the footy.”
Tortora was full of praise for ruck Nathan Cole, who held his own in a battle with Newtown & Chilwell’s Cam Wilkinson.
While defender Ben Miller kept key Eagles forward Luke Maddock goalless.
“Coley was lionhearted, and he doesn’t shirk an issue – Wilko’s a really strong player and a solid ruckman,” Tortora said.
“Coley was wonderful today.
“Benny was unbelievable today, the way he blanketed his opponent, and he was able to press when he needed to and close holes.
“He’s been sensational; if he’s not in the conversation for the Team of the Year, he just needs to be.
“We’re really rapt for Benny; he had a great game today.”
The inclusion of Northern Bullants VFL player Sam Donegan for his first game since Round 1 was also a factor for St Albans.
“You can’t replace certain players, and he’s one of those,” Tortora said.
“He’s got time with the footy, and he makes the right decisions under pressure.
“He uses the ball well, and because of that, he brings other players into the game.
“He’s pretty vital.”
Jacob Whitfield finished with three goals for the Supersaints, with Hayden Elliott contributing two.
Charlie Harris was the only multiple goalkicker for Newtown & Chilwell, who were best served by Wilkinson and veteran Braden Hocking.
St Albans hosts Colac next Saturday, while Eagles face an improving Grovedale on Sunday on krockfootball.live.
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