Sport
29 May, 2026
FOOTY: Saints' sensational opening
The Saints were excellent early and arguably produced some of their best football of the season in the opening term.
ST ARNAUD showed encouraging signs against a quality Birchip-Watchem outfit on Saturday, however the Saints’ inability to sustain their best football across four quarters again proved costly in an 11.15 (81) to 5.2 (32) result at George Cartwright Oval.
The Saints were excellent early and arguably produced some of their best football of the season in the opening term.
Jay Kirwood opened the scoring before Torin Petrie added two first-quarter goals, while Jake Hicks converted late in the quarter to help St Arnaud to a deserved four-point lead at the first change.
The visitors moved the ball cleanly, pressured strongly and matched Birchip-Watchem around the contest.
Birchip-Watchem gradually worked their way back into the game during the second term through repeat forward-half entries and stronger control of territory. While the Saints continued to compete hard around the football, the Bulls’ ability to lock the ball in dangerous areas began to build scoreboard pressure heading into halftime.
The third quarter ultimately proved decisive.
Birchip-Watchem controlled possession and field position for large periods, generating 10 scoring shots from inside 50s for the term and continuing to apply heavy territorial pressure.
Across the afternoon, the Bulls produced 10.14 from inside 50 entries and 9.4 from marks inside 50, highlighting both their forward-half control and ability to create quality opportunities.
Despite the result, there were still several standout individual performances for St Arnaud.
Joe Maishman was outstanding with 38 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 11 marks, nine clearances and seven tackles in a complete midfield display. Lachlan O’Connell continued his strong form with 35 disposals and nine clearances, while Nick Maishman gathered 34 disposals and 13 inside 50s in another influential performance.
Sean Holroyd battled tirelessly for 30 disposals, nine tackles and seven clearances, while Bailey Durward added 24 possessions and six inside 50s.
Harley Durward also competed strongly around the contest with 21 disposals and five tackles.
For Birchip-Watchem, Joseph Madio, Samuel Simmons and Daniel Rendell were all influential through the midfield, while Ricardo Liparota proved the difference up forward with six goals.
The Bulls’ ability to punish turnovers and maintain territory across the middle stages of the game ultimately proved the key factor in the result.
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