Sport
2 July, 2026
Break-free second quarter
The 43-point victory came after an assertive second term by the Saints ahead of this weekend’s final league bye of the season.
By JASON SMITH
ST ARNAUD has kept in touch with North Central football’s leading bunch after beating off an early challenge from Donald at Goff Letts Oval on Saturday.
The 43-point victory came after an assertive second term by the Saints ahead of this weekend’s final league bye of the season.
While the Royal Blues again showed patches of competitive football they again fell short on the scorebord.
Donald made an encouraging start on its home ground, kicking three first-quarter goals through George Morgan, Parker Sneddon and Blake Grant to remain within striking distance.
The Saints, however, responded each time the Royal Blues threatened to build momentum, with Sean Holroyd booting two early majors and Darby Schilder, Jay Kirwood, Torin Petrie and Lucas Bridger all finding the goals as the visitors edged to a 16-point advantage at the opening change.
The second quarter proved decisive as St Arnaud began to assert itself around the contest and capitalise on repeat forward entries.
Torin Petrie and Jay Kirwood each added their second goals before Jackson Needs joined the scorers, helping the Saints pile on five unanswered majors for the term.
Donald continued to battle hard and managed a goal through Cooper MacKenzie-George, but the visitors’ pressure and ball movement ensured they stretched the margin to 26 points by half-time.
St Arnaud put the result beyond doubt in the third term, producing its best football of the afternoon to break the game open.
Mitch Egan opened the scoring before Liam Loverso, Max Hungerford and Jay Kirwood all added goals as the Saints repeatedly generated clean ball movement from defence and punished the Royal Blues on transition.
Blake Grant continued to provide a target inside Donald’s forward line, finishing with three goals, but the visitors’ control through the middle and ability to convert opportunities saw the margin blow out beyond 50 points before the final break.
Donald’s refusal to concede ensured the contest remained competitive in the closing stages. With St Arnaud holding a commanding lead, the visitors’ intensity understandably dipped, allowing the Royal Blues to enjoy more territory and scoreboard opportunities. Goals to Will Baker and Jesse Lopes rewarded
Donald’s persistence, although the Saints remained in control throughout the final quarter and comfortably saw out the contest despite adding just 2.6 for the term.
Jay Kirwood led the Saints’ goal kicking with three majors, while Mitch Egan, Sean Holroyd, Max Hungerford, Liam Loverso and Torin Petrie each contributed two in an even spread of attacking options.
Lucas Bridger, Jackson Needs and Darby Schilder also hit the scoreboard as St Arnaud finished with 10 individual goal kickers. Donald was led by Blake Grant with three goals, while Will Baker and Cooper MacKenzie-George added two apiece. George Morgan, Parker Sneddon, Baxter Donnellon and Jesse Lopes each finished with one.
Sean Holroyd was named St Arnaud’s best player after an influential four-quarter performance, with Mitch Egan, Harrison Saunders, Jay Kirwood, Joe Maishman and Jackson Needs also among the visitors’ leading contributors.
For Donald, Pala Kuma, Thomas Guljas, Bill Sam, Luca Rice, Daniel Pearce and Blake Grant were recognised for their efforts.
Following this weekend’s league-wide bye, St Arnaud will return home to face Sea Lake-Nandaly in an important test. The Tigers claimed a commanding 91-point victory when the sides met earlier this season, but both teams appear to be playing improved football since that encounter, making the Round 11 clash an intriguing gauge of just how far the Saints have progressed.
Donald will also use the bye to regroup before travelling to Charlton Park for the annual Bunters Cup clash against the Navies, where the Royal Blues will be aiming to return to the winner’s list.
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