Joeys’ best yet to come
ST JOSEPH’S coach Paul Carson still believes there is room for improvement in his side despite walking away with a 34- point qualifying final victory over Newtown & Chilwell.
In the GFL’s first- ever senior twilight final, Carson said his side was not at its best and was challenged late by the gallant Eagles, but still pulled away with a 16.9 ( 105) to 10.11 ( 71) victory.
Carson paid particular credit to Brant Haintz, who kicked four goals under duress with a knee issue that could easily have ended his day.
“We were really good in patches, and in some patches not so good,” Carson said.
“I felt like, as the game went on, Newtown had momentum at times, and early in the last they controlled entries and kicked a lot of points and we did the same early in the third.
“We knew it was going to be an arm- wrestle and we had to grind and grind and stick to the process.
“At the end of the day, this is finals footy, and to walk away with a 30- point win … if you had have said that to me at the start of the day I would’ve been happy.”
Newtown & Chilwell narrowed the margin to 10 points at the 17- minute mark of the final term following a goal to Jacob Sharp ( three goals for the match).
But St Joseph’s steadied with goals from Dylan Pettingill, Kieren Paliouras, Cam Tudor and the impressive Haintz to see off the Newtown challenge.
Jordan Keras and Reid Adams also gathered plenty of the football through the midfield, leading dominant second and third quarters for the reigning premiers.
“Jordan Keras and Ben McNamara’s games were outstanding,” Carson said.
“Two guys who just willed themselves all day and had big games.
“Haintz kicked four ( goals) after getting a knock to the knee, but he was still able to play a role, which was exceptional. It would’ve been easy for him to put his hand up and say he’d had enough. He’s a warrior.”
St Joseph’s now faces Colac in the second semi- final, and should welcome back star defender Cal Mitchell from Geelong VFL duty.
“We’ll work hard on making sure we get the right match- ups for one and nullify the way they play,” Carson said. “Yes, it’s going to be hard out on the big spaces because Colac are used to these open areas, but it’s another opportunity to take on the best team in the competition.”
B. Haintz 4, D. Pettingill, L. Anderson 3, C. Tudor 2, J. Davis, K. Paliouras, J. Buckley, M. Dufty.
J. Sharp 3, W. Robinson 2, J. Lane, N. Harris, C. Joseph, J. Sheahan, S. Nichols.
J. Keras, B. McNamara, Z. Morison, B. Haintz, R. Adams, D. Pettingill.
B. Hocking, J. Sharp, W. Robinson, C. Lewis, J. Lane, B. Helyar.