The Southern Saints have stormed their way to a third straight victory, delivering a resounding 36-point win over Essendon at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday.
With several key players battling illness and injury, the Saints dug deep and made the most of their opportunities, keeping Essendon goalless in the second half.
Youngsters Eleanor Brown and Gabriella De Angelis were impressive on debut, kicking a goal apiece and showing composure that belied their experience.
Star midfielder Ali Drennan was prolific once again despite a tough tag, while Rhiannon Watt continued her excellent form in the ruck, regularly gifting the Saints first use at
Drennan drives Southern Saints
The Saints battled a blustery sea breeze in the first term, but the backline held strong to keep Essendon to only one goal despite multiple entries inside 50m.
Debutant Gabriella De Angelis opened the Saints’ account early in the second quarter, before Kayla Ripari added a goal of her own, coolly converting from 40 metres out.
Essendon ramped up its forward pressure, inflicting a barrage of entries inside 50m, but some excellent intercept marking from Alice Ryan, Sarah Casey and Leah Olsen kept the damage minimal as the Saints conceded just one goal.
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Ali Drennan displayed her trademark composure under pressure as she put the Saints in front before Courtney Munn added another to go into the main break with an 8-point advantage.
Strong defensive work from captain Georgia Walker and Leah Olsen kept Essendon goalless in the third quarter, while Courtney Munn slotted her second into the wind to extend the Saints’ lead.
The Saints surged home with the breeze in the final term, with three unanswered goals cementing the four points.
The cherry on top came courtesy of an Alison Brown set shot right on the siren.
Brown marked 50 metres out before a violation of the protected zone led to a 50-metre penalty, bringing Brown’s set shot right into the goal square.
Become a member of the Southern Saints
She kicked truly, delivering the Southern Saints their third consecutive win in emphatic fashion.
Head coach Peta Searle said the win is a testament to the players’ ability to adapt under pressure.
“We had to shuffle things around a bit, meaning the girls played positions they’d never played before, but they really responded to the challenge and found a way,” Searle said.
“The opposition have done a bit more homework on us now that we’ve won a couple and it’s what we have to adjust to during the game”.
The Southern Saints have a bye next week, before taking on Hawthorn at Box Hill City Oval at 11:30am on Sunday 17 June.
