DON’T WRITE OFF SAINTS
Green Machine’s big victory
IT WAS a quiet show of class that might have set the foundations for a serious run at a topthree finish in the NTFL finals.
St Mary’s beat Wanderers by 48 points to leap back into the top five.
But even more important for the Saints hierarchy was the four-quarter performances of their big-name players.
Ben Rioli in the last line of defence, Nathaniel Paredes through the middle and up forward, skipper Shannon Rioli around the ball and Raphael Clarke and Ryan Smith in a double-teaming rucking role – all attended roll call.
Shannon Rioli pointed to the 14.11 (95) to 6.11 (47) win and the fact his side had kicked more goals than points for one of the few times this season.
“We’ve stressed that all season and to finally see the results of that is a big plus,’’ he said.
“Everyone had their share of the footy today. Maurice (Rioli) Jr had one of his best games, especially in that third quarter, Mathias Liddy was dangerous up forward and Luke Stapleton, a veteran of the club gives us a lot of structure.’’
A three-goal burst at the start of the third quarter sealed the game for St Mary’s after they had led by 23 points at halftime.
Goals to ballgetter Paredes from an angle, Matthew Jeffrey and Shannon Rioli when he grabbed a loose ball and slammed it through, shot Saints to a 43-point lead.
The highlights continued when Paredes switched to his round-ball days kicking his third goal and Camden Vigona went even better with a spectacular volley from 10 metres out.
Wanderers hit back through the busy Mabo Mununggurritj, Simon Bates and Davin Ferreira, but nothing would stop the Green Machine.
Francis Kintari’s return after a long absence gave the Saints forward line the spark it needed and Raphael Clarke’s goals in the third term showed his best work might be at centre half forward.
Wanderers emerged with their own positives.
Ruckman Scott Meyer impressed all night, former Brisbane Lion Jesse O’Brien got plenty of the football and Mununggurritj was a smart performer across half-forward. BEST GOALS UMPIRES