EDENHOPE-APSLEY has beaten a top-four side for the second time this season, coming out on top against Jeparit-Rainbow in a low-scoring contest on Saturday.
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Playing away, the Saints went into the contest in solid form, while it was a different story for the Storm.
The side has been struggling with injuries the past month and has fallen off the pace with the top two. Despite the loss the Storm remains in third.
Just 11 goals were kicked in the contest as both sides struggled in front of goal.
The Saints held an 11-point lead after the first term and the Storm were never able to work their way in front for the remainder of the game.
Saints coach Chris Oliver said the game was a battle of the backlines.
“It was low scoring and both backlines from each team held up really well, which made it very hard for teams to score,” he said.
“The movement wasn’t too bad through the middle of the ground but it was just hard to hit up a forward and it kept rebounding all day.
“Now that we have beaten Jeparit-Rainbow I think it will instil a bit of belief in the boys come finals time.”
Oliver said Saturday’s win was due to a solid performance from players across the board.
“It was a really good effort from everyone,” he said.
“Lachie Middleton has had a stellar year and he kept that up again with his work in the contest. Jak Ryan was good in the ruck and Josh Clissold stood up really well for us.
“We ended up having four or five out but there were a lot of good players and we got through with a win.”
Storm coach Tim Inkster said it was a strange game with neither side able to gain much momentum.
“It was perfect weather for football it was just an ordinary game,” he said.
“There were a lot of rushed behinds but we didn’t play well. All their good players played well and the rest did their bit whereas we probably only had Peter Weir who played well from our top players.
“We had too many passengers. We seem to be cruising through a bit and there isn’t a whole lot of pressure on for spots.
“We couldn’t get any momentum going at all.
“If we just had 10 minutes of some decent football we might have been able to get in front. We weren’t playing well but we were never out of the game.”
The Storm have been struggling with injuries and unavailability the past month. Inkster said he would be looking to give some under-17s a chance to shine in the senior side.
“We will pick some youngsters next week and try and get something positive happening,” he said.
“We will hopefully get a few others back next week.”
