Cockerell, Ballis shine as the Saints march on
SAINTS backs Noah Cockerell and Zavier Ballis stood tall against a barrelling Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs, who were their own worst enemy at Griffiths Park.
Centrals Trinity Beach shot themselves in the foot time and time again inside 50 to succumb to Saints 18.8 (116) to 12.14 (86).
After weeks of hard going inside 50, Saints player coach Wes Glass was pleased to see things finally come together for his side, which climbed back to an even record of 3-3 with the victory.
“This will probably be the first time we have played an almost four-quarter effort,” Glass said.
“I’m pretty happy with the boys. I think we started off pretty well each quarter. We had a couple of lapses every now and again.
“But that was one of our better efforts for the year.”
Ballis, 17-year-old Cockerell and Zach Sutherland kept the Bulldogs on their toes during their wealth of entries.
“Noah plays a very important role for us, even though he’s only 17,” Glass said.
“Big Zach was important down there too for us along
with all the smalls running around there.”
Upon entry, however, Centrals couldn’t convert their chances.
Bulldogs Michael Griechen and Josh Matulis, as well as a fired-up Mark Horne, were some of the players on the day who had sure hands but unsure feet when it came to majors.
Saints had no problems converting at the other end, despite fewer chances.
Once inside 50, the home side only needed to send the ball the way of Adam Gross and Glass, who belted six and five goals respectively.
“We just started well and kicked them early,” Glass said.
“Once you start missing early, it creeps into the game and you fall off the pace a little bit.
“We’ve worked pretty hard on getting in early at the start of the game so we’re not chasing like we have been the last few weeks.”
Lions gun forward Tyron Rainbird made his case for this year’s Crathern Medal with a game-high eight goals in the demolition of North Cairns Tigers at Holloways Beach Sporting Complex.
Fellow longtime Lions Sean Connelly and Jake Long made their mark on the oval as well en route to a 22.17 (148) to 8.5 (53) win.
Fellow Crathern contender James Boyd had things under control for the Cutters at Cazalys Stadium, rolling through the Manunda Hawks 19.11 (125) to 10.11 (71).
As per previous rounds, the Hawks held their own against Souths in the opening term.
However, they then fell apart as Cutters quartet Boyd, Jake Johansen, Clay Ketchen (four goals) and Jake Roach (four goals) powered the visitors to victory.