The 2018 season has been a momentous one on many levels for the newly-formed Southern Saints, as we look back at the young side’s inaugural season so far.

It took until Round 2 for the Saints to get their first historic win of the season, but they’ve rarely missed a beat from then on, winning three of their next four matches.

A top-four berth is not outside the Southern Saints’ grasp, with the club sitting in prime position to make their move in the second half of the season.

Round 1 vs Carlton – LOSS (22 points)

READ: Southern Saints start strong

In the Southern Saints’ first ever game for premiership points, they were overrun by a stronger Carlton outfit at Skybus Stadium. The Blues got away to a 33-point lead by quarter time, and although the Saints reined in the margin with the wind in the second and fourth, they ultimately fell short.

Courtney Munn starred up front with two goals, including the Saints’ historic first goal, while Alison Brown collected 17 disposals and eight tackles.

Best: Courtney Munn, Alison Brown, Leah Olsen

Round 2 vs Williamstown – WIN (30 points)

READ: Southern Saints' historic first win

In what was an historic day for the Southern Saints, the girls had their first ever win in the VFL Women’s competition, kicking four second-quarter goals to break away from the Seagulls at Williamstown Football Ground. An otherwise even contest meant that the Saints had to buckle down and hold onto the match-winning lead – which they did.

Saints midfielder Ali Drennan was superb with 35 disposals, seven tackles and a goal, while Danielle Lawrence kicked four goals straight.

Best: Ali Drennan, Danielle Lawrence, Leah Olsen

Ali Drennan leads the VFLW competition in both contested possessions and clearances.

Round 3 vs Casey Demons – WIN (8 points)

READ: Southern Saints march on

Four final-quarter goals from the Southern Saints sparked an impressive comeback that saw Peta Searle’s team outrun the Casey Demons at Skybus Stadium. The Saints battled hard defensively to stay in the match, with immense pressure causing Casey’s forwards to misfire early on, before the Saints headed into the final term intent on running down the 12-point margin.

Rhiannon Watt dominated in the ruck with 40 hit-outs, while Ali Drennan produced another outstanding performance with 22 disposals, 12 tackles and a goal.

Best: Ali Drennan, Rhiannon Watt, Georgia Walker

Round 4 vs Essendon – WIN (36 points)

READ: Three in a row for Southern Saints

In their first game at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, the Southern Saints finished strongly, when they kept Essendon goalless in a second half that saw the Saints pile on five of their own to make it three wins in a row.

Eleanor Brown was outstanding on debut with 25 disposals, seven tackles and a goal, while strong defensive work from Leah Olsen and Georgia Walker helped nullify the Bombers’ attack.

Best: Georgia Walker, Kate Macqueen, Eleanor Brown

Volleyball convert Rhiannon Watt has dominated proceedings in the ruck.

Round 5 – BYE

Round 6 vs Hawthorn – LOSS (33 points)

READ: Hawks end Southern Saints' streak

Returning from of a two-week break, the Southern Saints failed to recapture the form that saw them win three in a row. Facing a bigger-bodied Hawthorn outfit at Box Hill Oval, the Saints struggled to break through, their only major coming in the third term.

Rhiannon Watt battled alone against rotating Hawthorn rucks and finished with the most hit-outs of any ruck (23), while newest recruit Lauren Arnell immediately added class with her 16 disposals, and Leah Olsen picked up 17 disposals and three marks in defence.

Best: Georgia Walker, Leah Olsen, Rhiannon Watt

Round 7 vs NT Thunder – WIN (20 points)

READ: Southern Saints steal NT's Thunder

The Southern Saints’ biggest scalp yet came when they caused a major upset to beat the then undefeated NT Thunder at Skybus Stadium. Leading by a solitary point heading into the final term, the Saints kicked three unanswered goals to seal a memorable win. With both sides gaining 28 entries inside 50m, the Saints were able to better maximise their opportunities in front of goal.

Tara Bohanna finished with three goals for the Saints (two in the final quarter), Ali Drennan collected 21 disposals and laid 13 tackles, while Meg Macdonald finished with 13 disposals and five marks.

Best: Kayla Ripari, Shelley Heath, Meg Macdonald

The Southern Saints will be pushing for the top four in their inaugural season.

Round 8 – BYE

INDIVIDUAL HONOURS

Standout performer – Ali Drennan

Drennan has been a revelation this season and performs consistently week-in, week-out. She leads the competition in contested possessions and clearances and is ranked second for tackles. A standout showing in Round 2 also saw Drennan amass 35 disposals, one of the highest counts thus far in the competition.

Blossoming forward – Tara Bohanna

Moving across from the Eastern Devils, Bohanna has become a mainstay in the Saints’ forward line and leads the team’s overall goal tally. Kicking 7.2 in her first six games for the Saints, Bohanna’s biggest haul came in Round 7 against NT Thunder, where she finished with three majors.

Dependable defender – Leah Olsen

Olsen is one of the Saints’ most reliable players, having been named in the team’s “best” multiple times already this season. The rebounding defender is also ranked third for the Saints in disposals and has collected team-high numbers in marks (18) and rebound 50s (24).

Become a member of the Southern Saints

THE ROAD AHEAD

The Southern Saints will enjoy the momentum of an uninterrupted run for the remainder of the season, having sat out its obligatory two byes already. To kick off Round 9, the Saints will travel to Casey Fields to face the Demons in a crucial rematch, before taking a 75-kilometre trek south-west of Melbourne to play Geelong.

The young side will then return to Skybus Stadium to host Melbourne Uni, before heading to their second home – Trevor Barker Beach Oval – to seek revenge against Hawthorn.

In their longest stint on the road, the Saints will then play away games against the Western Bulldogs, Darebin and Collingwood before returning to Skybus Stadium for one final home game against Richmond, where the team will hope to consolidate a top-four finish.