Sport
30 July, 2026
Saints’ continue with encouraging signs
While the final margin settled at 26 points, the contest was far tighter than the scoreboard suggests.
By JASON SMITH
ST ARNAUD’S steady improvement continued on Saturday despite falling against Birchip-Watchem, with the Saints again showing they are capable of matching one of the competition’s stronger sides for long periods before a brief lapse proved costly.
While the final margin settled at 26 points, the contest was far tighter than the scoreboard suggests.
After weathering sustained pressure in the opening half and trailing by just 16 points at the main break despite being second best, the Saints produced an outstanding third quarter to drag themselves back into the contest before the Bulls seized control with a decisive burst midway through the final term.
St Arnaud made the ideal start when Jay Kirwood kicked the opening goal, but Birchip-Watchem quickly settled into its work.
The visitors controlled much of the opening half through their ability to generate repeat forward entries and finished with 13 scoring shots to the Saints’ seven before the long break.
Despite spending long periods under pressure, St Arnaud defended resolutely and refused to allow the game to slip away.
Lucas Bridger’s two second-quarter goals proved invaluable, ensuring the Saints remained within striking distance despite not producing their best football.
At half-time, the Bulls led, but the margin remained manageable and gave the home side every reason to believe they were still in the contest. That belief was rewarded after the break.
The Saints emerged with far greater intensity, winning more contests around the football and beginning to control field position for the first time all afternoon.
Max Hungerford sparked the revival with an early goal before William Jackson’s major midway through the term reduced the margin to just three points.
After being outplayed for much of the first half, St Arnaud had completely shifted the momentum, forcing Birchip-Watchem onto the back foot and asking plenty of questions of the visitors’ defence.
Although Samuel Simmons steadied the Bulls with a late goal, the margin at the final change was only 11 points, leaving the game well and truly in the balance.
Bailey Durward’s goal seven minutes into the final quarter again brought the Saints within two straight kicks, and with plenty of time remaining the contest was there to be won.
However, the defining passage of the afternoon came over the next few minutes.
Between the 12 and 16-minute marks, Birchip-Watchem struck with three unanswered goals through Joseph Reid, Ricardo Liparota and Mac Lewis.
In the space of little more than four minutes, what had been a genuine two-goal contest suddenly became a five-goal game as the Bulls capitalised on consecutive forward entries to put the result beyond doubt.
To St Arnaud’s credit, the Saints continued to fight until the final siren.
Liam Loverso and Nick Maishman both added late goals as the home side refused to lower its colours, another encouraging sign for a young group continuing to build its game.
Lucas Bridger finished with two goals for the Saints, while Jay Kirwood, Max Hungerford, William Jackson, Bailey Durward, Liam Loverso and Nick Maishman each kicked one.
Joe Maishman again led from the front and was named best afield for St Arnaud, with Sean Holroyd, Nick Maishman, Harrison Saunders, Oliver Rogers and Jay Kirwood also producing strong performances.
For Birchip-Watchem, Ricardo Liparota and Joseph Reid each kicked three goals, while Heath Smith, Zane Connick, Meyrick Buchanan, Harry Cook, Angus Butterfield and Joseph Madio were among the Bulls’ best.
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