For the second consecutive week the Saints were on the road, headed for Gunnedah to take on the Bulldogs. The Saints have had their fair share of success at Wolseley, however the trips there never seem short of drama. This match was no exception, with the Saints needing a win to stay in contention at the top.
Like last week, the Saints started the match in blistering form. Despite conceeding the match's first goal, the Saints piled on 4 in a row in the quarter to enter the first change 23 points to the good. Only wayward kicking denied the Saints a bigger lead, however all the signs were good for the team as they controlled much of the play through the midfield, and were keeping the Dogs at bay.
The start of the second saw much of the same for the Saints, as they kicked the next 2 to set up a 6 goal lead. However, the Bulldogs could not be put away, and in a sign of things to come, piled on the next 3 to get the margin back to a manageable 18 points. However, once again the Saints rallied and booted the next 2 and the lead was back to 30 points at the main change.
The emphasis at the half was more of the same for the Saints, and after kicking the first of the quarter, were once again 6 goals up and again threatening to put the game to bed. However, the Bulldogs were too tenacious at the ball for the Saints, who clocked off and allowed the lead to once again wane. The three quarter time siren could not come soon enough for the Saints, who limped into the last change 16 points up.
The final quarter was a huge struggle for momentum by both teams, with neither really establishing themselves as the controlling force. It all changed midway through the quarter, when the Saints conceeded a free kick in the square, followed by another at the resumption, which was then followed by a 50. In just 1 minute, the Saints saw there lead fall to just 2 points. Both teams then fought hard for the remaining 10 minutes, but with no further goals scored. At the final siren, there was confusion around the ground as the scoreboard was not being operated properly and neither team sure of the result. One goal umpire had the game a draw, another the Dogs by one point, and after long deliberation, somehow the score was decided as being a 2 point victory for the Dogs.
In any case, the Saints should never have let the result be in doubt, with too many careless errors when on the ball and not enough dedication without it once they had the lead. If the Saints could somehow find the drive they have when behind or when the game is close, they could be world beaters this year. But until they find out how to put teams away, these results will continue to haunt the Saints of 2009. They have now been outscored in all but 2 of their last quarters this year, a worrying sign for a team that prided themselves on being strong finishers.
Last Modified on 06/07/2009 09:41