From the Shepp News |
The casual observer could be excused for mistaking one team for the other at Tatura Park on Saturday.
Tatura’s star-studded midfield rotation was outshone by Benalla’s workman-like on-ballers, while the Bulldogs’ notoriously miserly defence was unlocked by a clean and fluid Saints forward line.
The visitors snatched the lead midway through the third quarter and never looked like relinquishing it against a shell-shocked reigning Goulburn Valley Football League premier.
The final margin was 33 points.
Tatura led by 11 points at half-time, but the writing was on the wall, following a terrific second term from the Saints.
‘‘The first quarter we went a bit gung-ho and we went straight at them,’’ Saints coach Luke Morgan said.
‘‘We improved on our ball use in the second quarter and I think that was evident, we slowed them down, held onto the ball and that seemed to upset them.
‘‘One thing I emphasised is that we create turnovers and if you look at the stats I reckon most of our goals would have been the result of Tat turnovers.’’
The first term went as expected, with Tatura’s Rhodes Cousland, Linc Wellington and Rian McGough dominating proceedings.
But the home side managed just three goals after quarter-time and were bullied off the park by the swarming Saints’ midfield, led by Morgan, Sam Martyn and James Martiniello.
Most surprising was the number of individual battles the visitors won.
Shaun Croxford went to Wellington and nullified his influence, while Bulldogs ruck star Paul Kirby’s colours were lowered by Jack Ellis and Shayne McKean.
The Saints’ stoppage success was reflected at either end of the ground.
The time and space the Bulldogs were afforded to isolate targets inside 50 in the first quarter, quickly dried up.
Lachie Smith blanketed James Wall, while makeshift centre half-back Jordan Wolff and Harry Moran marshalled Scott Grigg and Ben Waite superbly.
At the other end of the ground Nick Warnock had a day out, marking everything that came his way, including a host of contested grabs.
His haul of 6.3 and one out on the full showed how much influence he had on the contest.
The influence of Tom Miller was also curbed and without his first-class ball use and decision making, Tatura struggled to find its way out of defence.
Saints under-18 player Tom Havers was outstanding on debut, with three goals and a sheepdog-like approach to forward pressure, while Jake Pallpratt continued his excellent season across half-back.
Tatura coach Scott Grigg was furious at three-quarter time, but was more composed post-match, when he scolded his players for showing Benalla’s young players an ‘‘oily rag’’.
‘‘We were just very lazy,’’ Grigg said.
‘‘We didn’t take our chances when they were there and you have to take chances against a young team that play good footy and not give them a sniff.
‘‘They’re well-coached, they’re young, their skills are getting better, they pressed well and they’re a team that are going to make every team play to the best of their ability if they want to win games.’’
The Bulldogs were clearly below their best and Grigg said the defeat reiterated the importance of adhering to team rules every week.
Brendan Hollow, McGough and Cousland were Tatura’s best, while Jayden Young hurt his groin and will be monitored prior to Tatura’s clash with Seymour in a fortnight.
