HOT SAINTS MUST STAY SWITCHED ON
ST Mary’s coach Travis Robertson says his side will have to weather plenty of storms on the way to the 2018 finals.
The undefeated Saints know they have a target on their back in every game they go into with clubs viewing the powerhouse as a major scalp.
And it was on show again in Saturday’s 51-point win over South Barwon, with the Swans trailing by just three points at quarter time.
But St Mary’s responded with five unanswered goals to blow the game open and set up the 17.10 (112) to 9.7 (61) victory.
Co-coach Robertson said the side was getting used to facing an early test in their matches and praised his squad’s resilience to soak it up and respond.
“It’s about making sure we are up (mentally) most weeks. It’s a pretty tough competition, so you need to be on your best form most weeks,” Robertson said.
“(South Barwon) definitely came to play and served it up to us in the first quarter.
“Quarter time gave us an opportunity to reassess and deliver the messages we have been pretty consistent with and they responded to that.”
Trent McMullan bagged three goals for the Saints in his best game for the season, while Zak Sherman and Matthew Copley were also solid contributors.
Former Geelong midfielder Josh Cowan is also building up a head of steam, in his side’s best players for the second week in a row.
The injury-cursed Cowan has now played four games this year and is starting to show the competition just how good he is. “For his size I am amazed how much he throws himself around and how tough he is. He has fitted in magnificently,” Robertson said.
ELSEWHERE, it was a dirty old day for St Albans. The Supersaints only registered a solitary behind to halftime on their way to a 202-point loss to Leopold. The manner of the defeat will leave cocoaches Hayden and Jarrod Best scratching their heads. St Albans is now the only team left in the GFL without a win and it is not the best time to be dead last on the ladder with relegation looming at season’s end.
CAN North Shore’s ugly win over