Fast start for Saints sets up win
ST MARY’S made another statement to the GFL, brushing aside a second finals contender in three weeks thanks to a dazzling first quarter in a 34-point win over Bell Park.
The victory over the Dragons comes just two rounds after a convincing win over 2017 preliminary finalist Colac, leaving the Saints looking every bit the premiership contender.
A barnstorming opening term left Bell Park shellshocked as St Mary’s slammed on seven unanswered goals under lights at Anthony Costa Oval, keeping the Dragons scoreless to essentially end the contest by the first change.
The Saints’ much-vaunted run and carry led by Zak Sherman, Jarryd Garner and Dylan McMahon was swift and clinical in the opening stanza, so much so that the Saints were able to be outscored 10 goals to seven from that point and still won comfortably, 14.16 (100) to 10.6 (66).
“I thought we started really well. Obviously we were up for the challenge, which was great,” co-coach Glenn Keast said.
“We’ve been working on different tempos of play and when you get momentum you certainly want to try and hit the scoreboard.
“I think we kicked 1.4 early and it looked like we weren’t going to make the most of the momentum, but certainly as the quarter went on we hit the scoreboard.”
Bell Park got its game going particularly in the second half, but the damage was done by quarter-time.
Keast does not believe Bell Park’s strong final three quarters took the gloss off his side’s opening-term showing.
“They were pretty efficient and we certainly blundered some shots in front of goal,” he said. “I think it was 30 scoring shots to (Bell Park’s) 16, so in general play I thought we controlled a fair bit of it, but they obviously got back into the game — they’re a good side.”
Ruckman Andrew Banjanin was dominant against the inexperienced Josh Jokic, giving first use to the Saints’ deep midfield brigade and giving plenty of supply to forwards Aiden Grace (four goals), Doug Bond (three) and Tom Gillies (two).
Such convincing victories have pleased Keast, successfully negotiating two sides the Saints expect to play deep into September.