Saints show true grit to take down Olympic

“SOMEONE has to take down the big dogs eventually and we want to be that team.”

With a wonder strike from a free kick more than 30 yards out, Saints Eagles Souths defender Abbey Giesling drove home the message of coach Damien Hodgetts.

The wonder strike was the deciding blow for the Saints as they toppled last year’s grand final winner MA Olympic 1-0 at Aitkenvale Park.

But if it was the knockout blow, it came after a solid working over of the Mundingburra body, with Saints putting in a spirited underdog performance.

Led by a staunch defensive display, Saints scratched and clawed their way out of trouble each time Olympic sent long attacking raids down the flank.

“We got caught out a couple of times on the fast counter, they would send it long to their wingers but we stuck to our plans,” Hodgetts said.

“We knew where their outlets were so we put people in place to counteract that. We fought for anything that was in the air and any ball that was free, and we won most of the 50-50s.

“I couldn’t be any prouder of our players. It was some of the best work I have seen at Saints in the years I have been at the club.

“Everyone dug in and turned up for each other. I couldn’t fault anyone on that field, our backline was unreal and our midfielders were enormous. They played for each other.”

But it was more than just the players on the field who drove the unlikely victory.

A strong Saints crowd surged behind their players, forcing the momentum changes and lifting their team. And when the ball hit the back of the net, the crowd went into raptures.

“It was pretty electric, you could see just how much that goal meant for the girls,” Hodgetts said.

It was a result that has sent a shockwave through the North Queensland Football women’s premier league competition.

Suddenly there is another challenger at the top end of the competition to take it up to the likes of MA Olympic and Brothers.

But Hodgetts said his players couldn’t start dreaming about premierships just yet. For now they had to relish their position in the league.

“We’re underdogs and the best spot to be is an underdog, I love having that tag,” Hodgetts said.

“I wouldn’t start talking about the premiership just yet, but we are certainly on the right track.”

Reigning premiers Brothers maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a comfortable 3-0 win over Warriors, while Burdekin and Estates played out a 1-1 draw.