GVL Data | Shifting up the gears is proving difficult for the Saints

By Liam Nash

Apr 18, 2023

Milestone man: Benalla’s Chris Welsh was among the better ball movers in the first quarter during his 100th game for the Saints. Photo by Brenden Paddock

Starting hot from the siren has proved to be a hindering factor for Benalla in its opening two matches of the Goulburn Valley League season.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

With the Saints missing a number of stars for its clash against Euroa, namely Will Martiniello and Jarrad Waite, a lacklustre opening term was unfortunately never remedied as Benalla eventually conceded a 17.12 (114) to 3.7 (25) defeat at Memorial Oval.

When looking at the scoreboard, it was clear the Magpies capitalised on yet another slow start from Benalla, with Euroa slotting 3.1 to the Saints’ sole behind to lead by 18-points at quarter time.

But delving into the statistics, the home side’s efficiencies seem to be what began to break the game open in the first quarter.

Euroa led the disposal count 111 to 64, with the Magpies’ accuracy 10 per cent higher than Benalla.

Martiniello’s absence was a big one for Benalla, as his presence in game one saw him run the midfield during the tight loss against Seymour, and Euroa was quick to jump on this in the initial 20 minutes of open play.

Picking up the slack was midfielder Chris Welsh in his 100th game for the Saints, racking up four disposals, four tackles and two marks in the opening exchange.

Jordan Wolff led the line in disposals for Benalla with eight touches in the first quarter, but Magpies duo Andrew Bell and Will Hayes bettered Wolff’s count with 11 each, while Ryan Pendlebury also had eight.

Hayes’ running ability allowed the likes of Lachlan Hill, Jacob and Zac Gleeson to break free and hit the target to push the hosts ahead, as Euroa led plus-three in inside 50 entries.

Benalla matched Euroa’s handball efficiency of 79 per cent in the first quarter, but kicking accuracy failed to favour the Saints as Euroa also won that department by a 14 per cent margin.

The Saints will need to up the ante early against Tatura on Saturday, as though the Bulldogs fell to Mansfield in round two, Paul Barnard’s side bettered the Eagles’ first-quarter efficiencies in disposals, kicking and inside 50 entries.