Saints march over Demons
Jerilderie travelled to play long time rival Berrigan and it wasn’t a good day for the visitors on Saturday.
The Saints marched back on to the winners’ list by thumping Jerilderie by 117 points in Picola League.
On a rare sunny day for the season it was under 17 player Connor Thornton and the ever reliable Harley Middleton kicking five goals each to help the Saints overcome the Demons.
On-ballers Levi Middleton and the timeless Craig Thornton were great in the contested possession stakes all day for the home side.
Tom Bryce tried hard to inspire his team with a best on ground performance for the Demons.
Jerilderie’s back-line worked overtime with Cameron Arnold and Luke Bryce also amongst the best for the visitors.
Final score, Berrigan 19.20 (134) to Jerilderie 2.5 (17).
It was the Saints that jumped straight out of the blocks piling on six goals while keeping Jerilderie goalless.
The Dees were held to a single point by half time with the Saints up by 64 after adding three more majors to their tally.
A blast from the coach at half time saw the Dees regroup and put up a better performance in the third in what was a highly contested quarter.
But Jerilderie were unable to peg back any of Berrigan’s lead, kicking 2.4 to 3.2 to be down by 68 points heading into the last.
Jerilderie couldn’t maintain their third quarter intensity into the last term with the Saints kicking seven goals and as many points and keeping the Dees scoreless.
It was an all-round great performance by Berrigan with inaccuracy the only blight on the game for the Saints who will be fired up for the next few weeks ahead in the march to finals.
Young Demons Joe Catena and Harry Leeds both provided plenty of run and carry through the midfield with Jak Payne and Caleb Catena rounding out the best.
The Saints’ ever dependable back-line remained an impenetrable force all day with the first line of defence repelling much of the Demon attack with David Riddle and Paul Massingham the pick of the defenders.
Dallas Gowans had another strong game on the wing tackling with his trademark ferocity while Kyle Hawker also got his hands on plenty of the ball for Berrigan.