ST Mary's will carry optimism into the start of the GFL season after toppling the pre-season's glamour side Newtown & Chilwell in a practice game on Saturday.
The Saints won a close contest at Elderslie Reserve by a point and coach Jason Orr said it gave them a good indication of where they sit among this season's contenders.
Orr said St Mary's defender Marc O'Donohue had a good battle with Newtown & Chilwell's high-profile recruit Brad Ottens all game.
"There was one free kick he (Ottens) got that was probably 50-50," Orr said.
"But there were three or four really good one-on-one contests where he (O'Donohue) just outmuscled him."
The Eagles' other ex-AFL recruit Ryan Gamble only played the first half.
Having just missed the finals last year, Orr said he was pleased where the Saints were at ahead of the
Round 1 opener against North Shore at Kardinia Park West on Saturday, April 14.
"We've picked up a few handy recruits who have fitted in really well," Orr said.
"We've debliberately tried to keep ourselves low key (over the pre-season) and the playing group has instigated that. But we're amongst it, that's what we got out of Saturday's match."
Last Modified on 08/01/2013 07:12
