Saint Gillies unstoppable
TOM Gillies proved an unstoppable force as St Mary’s opened its season account with a strong win over Newtown & Chilwell.
Gillies, who played 15 matches with Geelong and Melbourne, ripped the game apart for the Saints with a blistering first half that delivered three goals.
The towering forward finished with six majors on a cold and wet evening at Anthony Costa Oval to be named best afield.
St Mary’s co-coach Glenn Keast lauded the performance of the big man.
“He certainly had a really good game,” Keast said.
“He got himself really fit and he was certainly catching the ball well and he converted. He got three in the first quarter and he looked really dangerous.
“He was in good form and he certainly came to play.”
The Saints opened the game up in the first term, slotting six goals to one, but Newtown continued to press with the breeze in the second quarter.
But with the wind at their backs, St Mary’s almost put the game to bed with another six-goal term.
The Eagles pressed in the final quarter, but Keast conceded his side had put the cue in the rack.
“We’d been playing 25minute quarters in the practice games and we lost a rotation early,” he said.
“In the end we just decided that we’d make sure a couple of blokes were right for next week, so we really didn’t have anyone to put back on.
“So we felt the pinch late. I certainly think we’ll be better for the run, and that rotation certainly hurt us in the end.
“Newtown kept persevering. I think we got out to 50 points in front at one stage and they got it back to 27.”
Pat Killen copped a knock to the ribs and did not return after quarter-time, but Keast is confident he should be fit to play next week.
The Saints were also without stars Josh Cowan and Andrew Banjanin, who will also be in the frame to play against Colac.
“(Banjanin) had a bit of tightness, so we decided not to take a risk,” Keast said. “He’ll be available.” Harry Kol and Sam Siggins also played VFL at Geelong.