Border Mail |
MYRTLEFORD mounted a strong case to suggest it’s the best of the rest after a character-building win over Wangaratta on Saturday.
The Saints, who jumped to sixth on the ladder courtesy of the 18-point win, again burst out of the blocks.
But unlike round 3, where they coughed up a 34-point lead, the Saints didn’t surrender.
Kristan Height was the star of the show, getting a hold of Judd Porter and finishing the game with eight goals for the Saints.
Height has re-signed for another season.
The game, which featured a botched head-count moments after half-time that cost Myrtleford a goal, saw the Saints lead at every change.
Along with Height, Tim Madden provided a strong target for the Saints up forward while Reece Corcoran and Brad Murray were also productive.
Murray, who questioned the Saints’ mental strength after their Anzac Day fadeout, said Saturday’s result showed his troops had clearly improved.
“We really set ourselves for a big game at home against the mob that we coughed it up against last time,” Murray said.
“They came back hard, as we thought they would.
“But we’ve been challenged a few times since then and as the year’s gone on we’ve really responded.
“The boys are learning and playing for each other.
“At three-quarter-time we were challenged and the game was in the balance and we put it on the boys to lift and they did.”
Murray said he was happy with the young Saints’ progression.
“The year goes on and they’re getting better,” he said.
“We’ve got some good young talent coming through and they’re going to become very good players.
“Apart from Kristan, pretty much everyone else is from Myrtleford or around the area.”
Murray, who is shaping as a serious Morris Medal contender, said the Saints weren’t done with yet.
He said the Saints had their eye on at least another couple of scalps for the rest of the year.
“We let a couple of chances go against some good sides earlier in the year,” Murray said.
“But we’re learning from our losses, as well.
“We’d like to think we’d be able to win our fair share of games on the run home.”
