Centrals were left ruing their wayward ways, outscored by three goals in the final quarter having kicked six goals and a mammoth 15 behinds in the middle two stanzas.
Saints 14.7 (91) to 11.19 (85) triumph sees them go level with Centrals now into third rather than two games behind in fourth with eight rounds remaining.
Having done well to stay in touch, Saints booted the first three of the final quarter to jump ahead of the hosts, before Matt Walsh defied a virus to chime in with back to back majors and give Saints their biggest lead ofthe same.
Centrals rallied through a helicoptered Brian Durbridge goal sneaking through and Joel Child benefiting from a 50 metre penalty to slot a goal that tied things up insdie the final 90 seconds. After several raids, forward Tom Bartlett clung on to a mark for Saints on the edge of the arc and, knowing he just needed a point to create a decisive lead, launched a monster drop punt that went through the big sticks to win the game in the final 20 seconds.
"To be honest I thought it was going to be a tough ask, but im really proud of the guys", Saints player coach Zac Kelly said. "Theyd be devastated with how they kicked, but every team has had on of those days this season and it proves again that you cant get away with that sort of innacuracy. We had to stay in touch with the top three and couldnt afford to loose that one."
Time and again Centrals surged into Saints' defensice 50 and established opportunities only to spray their shots on goal. It became contagious and only a Durbridge major after the siren gave the dogs a three point lead at the main break, despite them having the weight of possession and territory until that point. In the end it was the composure of Walsh (six goals) up from and the effort of Matt Esther in the ruck that swayed things for Saints. "Matty was out best on ground and really valuable in the ruck for us. Weve restructured our forward line and still trying to find ways to give Walshy some space but he found that in the final quarter."
Centrals coach Heath Mitchell said it was important "not to go pointing fingers" after a frustrating performance. "We cant do that to each other, we just need to dust off and realise that while it was a dissapointing loss we are are still happy with where we are after 10 rounds," he said. "Good kicking's good football and all credit to Saints and their efficiency."
Article Courtesy of Murray Wenzel The Cairns Post
Last Modified on 23/06/2015 15:16