Benalla still confident in team after crushing defeat

Mansfield’s offensive barrage took it to a 54-point lead at the end of the first term, with the Saints managing a lone behind.

Unfortunately for the Saints, things didn’t get much better in the second quarter. Mansfield kicked six more goals and six behinds to bring its total to 97 at halftime, compared to Benalla’s one goal and one behind, leaving the Saints trailing by 89 points at the break.

Following the half, the Saints struck first through player-coach Jarrad Waite before watching the ball sail over their heads for the remainder of the quarter.

Benalla had its strongest stretch in the final quarter, notching two goals and a behind to bring its total to an underwhelming 4.3 (27).

Even though Benalla came up short against a promising Mansfield unit looking to go deep in the finals, Waite was still happy with how his team was progressing, especially with key players missing with injuries.

“A quality team like Mansfield probably got a hold of us on turnover, so we have to work a little bit on our skills and knowing which options to take at the right time,” he said.

“(Our team) is still a work in progress, but we are getting there slowly; it’s just going to take a little bit of time, and defensively, I think our reaction time when the ball was turned over wasn’t where we hold it as a team, and so we’ll see work through that during the week.

“We’ve got eight players out of our best 22 out now, so that’s always going to make things challenging, but it’s a good opportunity for players to come up and from juniors and reserves to get some experience.

“We are confident we are going in the right direction; it’ll take some time. The injuries are the one area of concern; we’ve just lost a couple for a few weeks, so we should start seeing a couple of boys back this week.”

Waite praised the young players who had been given a chance to prove themselves in senior football, particularly his defenders, who had shown willingness and heart.

“Sam Begley has been playing well. He has done a couple of little tagging roles in the last few weeks and did a really good job on the weekend,” he said.

“Tyler McGregor will get better as he gets more experience and understanding playing senior football.

“Charlie and Sam have been strong for us defensively. Charlie’s played a bit more of a different role for us, where previously he’s played a bit more wing, but his competitiveness and speed really suit around defence.

“I can’t fault the boys’ endeavour, their willingness to train and their want to improve.”

Ultimately, Waite is hopeful that their new playing style, the development of young talent and the return of key experienced players will turn the season around.

“We are going to have some ups and downs, wins and losses, but overall, I’m really happy with where the group is progressing,” he said.

“The game style we introduced will hold up in senior football; it will just take a bit to develop.

“I’m really happy with where we’ve come from the start of preseason to where we are going and hope to get some more positive results.”