EDENHOPE-APSLEY has caused an early season upset against Natimuk United, hanging onto a 22-point win at Apsley on Saturday.
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The Saints started strongly, as it searched for its first win of the season.
The side kicked five goals to two in the opening term and consolidated a huge lead in the second quarter to lead by 50 points at the half time break.
Natimuk United coach Sam Anson said the Saints simply wanted the ball more in the opening patches of the game.
“They came out and wanted it more than us from the start,” he said.
In the second half, the Rams gained some momentum, but the Saints’ lead proved to hard to chase down.
“Our mindset changed and we realised it wasn’t going to be an easy game of football,” Anson said.
“We started being first to the footy but unfortunately it was too little too late.”
Natimuk United kicked five goals to two in the second half, with the Saints holding onto their huge first half advantage.
Saints coach Chris Oliver said the win was a great reward for the side’s efforts throughout the opening rounds.
“The boys really played well and we were pretty unlucky in the first two rounds so to come away with the win was quite refreshing,” he said.
“I think fitness is still an issue for us and we did run out of legs towards the end of the day. We will have to keep working on that.
The boys really played well and we were pretty unlucky in the first two rounds so to come away with the win was quite refreshing.
- Chris Oliver
“It is going to be great for the side’s confidence that they know the work they are putting in is starting to pay dividends.”
Oliver said he had urged his side to start strongly against the Rams.
“The first couple of rounds we weren’t playing the type of football we wanted to play and this week we had the boys geared up to play the way we wanted,” he said.
“Part of the message at the start of the game was to come out quickly as we thought they might be underestimating us a bit. I wanted to come out of the blocks and the boys did that really well.”
Natimuk United was missing gun forward Jaydon Stiles and Anson, both carrying injuries from last week’s win against Rupanyup.
Anson said: “It did hurt us a bit with those outs but I was confident in the players we had to do the job.”
Anson said the loss was a wake up call for the players.
“It’s unfamiliar territory for a lot of the players – I can’t remember the last time Natimuk United started with two wins so it is a new position with everyone,” he said. “It’s pretty easy to be complacent.”