Sport
14 August, 2026
Redback’s reminder to Saints side
There was, however, a significant moment for the Saints before the opening bounce, with Aidan Wickham making his senior debut after an impressive season of development and a strong body of work on the training track.
By JASON SMITH
ST ARNAUD was given a harsh reminder of the standard set by the North Central Football League’s leading sides on Saturday, with Wedderburn producing a dominant second half on its way to a 22.18 (150) to 8.7 (55) victory.
There was, however, a significant moment for the Saints before the opening bounce, with Aidan Wickham making his senior debut after an impressive season of development and a strong body of work on the training track.
Wickham was presented with his number 44 playing jersey by his former Under 17s coach Mitch Birthisel, who also wore the number during his time with St Arnaud.
Once the football began, Wedderburn wasted little time establishing control. The Redbacks kicked 5.6 to 1.3 in the opening quarter to take a 27-point advantage into the first change.
St Arnaud’s response was a good one. Rather than allowing the game to get away, the Saints produced a strong second term, kicking 5.1 to Wedderburn’s 4.5 and reducing the deficit to 25 points by half-time.
Any momentum generated before the break disappeared quickly in the third. Wedderburn took control through the midfield and repeatedly gave its forwards quality opportunities, piling on 10.2 for the quarter while St Arnaud could manage only three behinds. In the space of one term, a competitive contest had become a comprehensive one.
Young Saint Austin Lowe nevertheless emerged with plenty of credit from one of the most difficult assignments in North Central football.
Lowe was given responsibility for Tom Campbell, one of the competition’s premier key forwards. Campbell finished with five goals, several coming on the back of outstanding delivery from further afield, but Lowe competed extremely well throughout the afternoon and continued to demonstrate the significant progress he has made as a young key-position player.
Wedderburn eventually ran out 95-point winners, and there is little value for St Arnaud in pretending the result was anything other than a disappointing one.
Equally, there is little value in dwelling on it.
The Saints have shown considerable improvement throughout the season, and the task now is simply to take what can be learned from Saturday, move on quickly and respond.
Lowe headed St Arnaud’s better players alongside Lachlan O’Connell, Joe Maishman, Sam Male, Jay Kirwood and Nick Maishman, while Josh Hicks and Torin Petrie kicked two goals each.
Lucas Bridger, Mitch Egan, Kirwood and O’Connell contributed one apiece.
St Arnaud will be looking to hit back this weekend when they head to Charlton, while the Redbacks head up to Wycheproof to take on the Lions, in what should be a cracking contest.
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