St Mary’s has handed an injury-hit Grovedale a lesson in precision goal kicking with the wind, slotting 17.6 across two quarters.
Leopold win after the siren in GFL preliminary final against Newtown & Chilwell.
While the final score undeniably showed a clear smashing, the gallant Tigers, who lost Harvey Murrant (collarbone) and Jack Kelly (head knock) early in the first quarter, had slashed the margin from 50 points to just 16 closing in on the final break in round 8 of GFL action.
However, the reigning premier lifted a gear and drilled two in quick succession to put the Tigers back in their place and snuff out any chance of an unlikely comeback victory.
St Mary’s simply played local conditions better than Grovedale and were lethal with the breeze at their backs, eventually winning 23.14 (152) to 12.11 (83).
The Saints would slot 17.6 while harnessing the wind, something the Tigers failed to do early after largely bossing the first quarter.
Without forward Charlie Sprague due to work commitments, who kicked five last Saturday against Newtown & Chilwell, St Mary’s found a more than handy replacement in the agile Kane Loftus with a quintet of his own.
And he had plenty of support from the likes of Sam Dobson (four goals), Harry McMahon (four) and Luke Hillier (three) while skipper Jack Blood was instrumental, capping off a fine afternoon with two brilliant snaps in the final term.
Harry McMahon and Sam Dobson had their moments against Grovedale. Picture: Mark Wilson
For Grovedale, Mitch Chafer kicked four and was a threat for most the day, Ryan Abbott toiled hard in the ruck and Will Ford was the chief architect of Tiger forward entries, especially in the first half
Earlier, the visitors found good connection between the midfield and forward line as Murrant landed a goal of the day contender after swinging onto the left from the 50m arc.
However, the Tigers should have enjoyed a three or four goal buffer at the first break, failing to convert with 2.6 for their efforts.
Then, the game went from up for grabs to a complete belting as the Saints unleashed a decisive 15-minute period, slamming home 8.5 to 1.2 as Loftus bobbed up with three.
However, the Tigers roared back into the contest with a 7.0 quarter as some ill-discipline crept into the Saints’ game — a pair of 50m penalties were converted as Grovedale drew within 16 points.
Mitch Chafer provided a strong marking option for the Tigers. Picture: Mark Wilson
But the best was yet to come for the Saints, producing a 9.1 final quarter to close out the match in emphatic style.
Post-match, Saints coach Glenn Keast said Loftus excelled in just his second senior game for the season after recovering from some hamstring issues.
“He’s a talent, he’s only a young kid but he’s got some serious wheels,” Keast said.
“He looks fit and firing at the moment.”
Keast said the Saints made a concerted effort after quarter time to not repeat the Tigers’ waywardness.
Dion Johnstone avoids a Cassidy Parish tackle. Picture: Mark Wilson
“We talked about it at quarter time, they kicked a lot of long points,” he said.
“With the breeze you need to be in a bit tighter to get your accuracy up.”
He also praised the dynamic play of Blood, who is heading overseas on Sunday for three weeks: “I thought he was close to our best player. I’d be very surprised if he’s not leading our best and fairest.”
Tigers coach Daniel Fraser was determined to focus on the positives after losing two players early in the contest.
“I thought our first 15 minutes were really good,” Fraser said.
“We just didn’t get reward on the scoreboard.
“We kept is pretty positive after the game. Not a lot went for us today but I can’t question their effort.”