Sport
15 August, 2022
Big last quarter romp for minor premier Saints
NEWSTEAD 5.4 (34) def by TRENTHAM 23.17 (155) A nine-goal to zero final quarter gave Trentham the best platform possible to warm up for their finals campaign, recording a 121-point victory over Newstead on Saturday. A four-goal to one opening...
NEWSTEAD 5.4 (34) def by TRENTHAM 23.17 (155)
A nine-goal to zero final quarter gave Trentham the best platform possible to warm up for their finals campaign, recording a 121-point victory over Newstead on Saturday.
A four-goal to one opening quarter set the Saints on their way, and although goals were proving hard to come by compared to what they are accustomed to, they were doing enough to get the job done.
In what was basically a mirror image of the first quarter, the Saints again added four goals to the Steaders’ one to take a 41-point lead at the main break.
It was the second half which saw the Saints shift up another gear, although to their credit, the Steaders were also able to hit the scoreboard in the third quarter. Six goals to three in a high-quality quarter meant the lead at the final change sat at 63 points.
However, determined to record another victory by triple-digits, the Saints were unleashed in the final quarter, kicking nine goals to just one behind to ensure they would take a comfortable win and assert themselves as the team to beat.
In the race for 100 goals, Jake Keogh ensured his showdown with league-leading goalscorer Danny Brewster would go right down to the final round, with the Natte spearhead’s 10 goals matched by Keogh — taking him to 99 goals in what has been a career-best season for the Saints forward, with his first goal against the Hawks next week marking a well-deserved century.
Alongside him, Liam Bianco, Jack Mighell, Dylan Holden, Riley Matricardi and Cooper Webber-Mirkin were also good performers.
For Newstead, Jedd Pedretti continued to lead the way, with Mason James, Harrison McGuire, Tyler James — with his three goals leading the way for the Steaders, Anthony Robins and Aidan McConachy also providing good support.
The focus for the Saints is now on which team they will play as minor premiers, with the Navarre v Carisbrook game looking likeliest to determine their fate. Provided Natte Bealiba and Harcourt defeat Campbells Creek and Newstead respectively, a Carisbrook win would mean they most likely host Harcourt, while a draw means the scenario is a date with the Redbacks. Meantime, a Navarre win means the Hoppers would take in an 11-game winning streak to the first week of the finals against the Saints.