The Saints emphatic win was all the more impressive with key midfielders Wade Beard and Jim Tarranto and leading backman Dean Notman all on the sidelines.

Maitland set up victory with a strong result against a gale in the first quarter, holding the Hawks to 4.3 and scoring 2.2.

They took control from there with the increasingly miserly defence holding Cardiff to just three points for the remainder of the game.

The young defensive group has gelled and even without Notman created attacking options with tremendous use of the wide space at No.1 Oval.

Luke Damico was again the best in his last game for the Saints.  The dynamic wing has accepted a job in Western Australia, but his livewire brother Aiden, who kicked three goals on Saturday, will remain in Maitland colours.

Rob Eddy took full advantage of the excellent delivery up forward with six goals.

He was given plenty of space with the bullocking centre half-forward hitting great form, ­contesting the ball hard and clearing packs.

The revamped midfield was again marshalled by Hugh Matheson, with Cameron Smith his usual solid self and Aidan Broadway relishing playing against his old club with another near-best on the ground performance.

Saints president Kevin Greaves said the even nature of the performance in the absence of stars Beard, Taranto and Notman was exciting for Saints fans.

“The young blokes are really starting to step up. The backline’s average age is probably under-18 but they are becoming rock solid and starting to use the ball going into attack,” Greaves said.

“We will miss Luke Damico, but not as much as we would have in the past, because of the experience the younger players are gaining.”

Greaves said the resounding win set the team up well before an extened break, with a bye following next week’s spare round.

Maitland sit in fourth, four games clear of Warners Bay, who have a game in hand.

Their next game is against Newcastle City at Max McMahon Oval on August 9.

The Saints division two team plays Lake Macquarie at Tulkaba Park on August 2.

Division one

Cardiff 4.3, 4.4, 4.6, 4.6-30

Maitland 2.2,  9.8-62, 15.10, 19.16-130

MAITLAND: goals: R. Eddy 6, A. Damico 3, A. Broadway 2, J. Button 2, L. Damico , M. Hogan , L. Brandle , H. Matheson , M. Curran , R. Lloyd; best: R. Lloyd, R. Eddy, M. Hogan, A. Broadway, B. Crowley, M. Greaves

CARDIFF: goals: B. Wold , A. Pearsall , S. Adlington, J. Jolliffe; best: J. Wells, A. Roxby, J. Foot, R. Steadman, A. Pearsall, S. Williams

Division two

Cardiff 0.2, 5.7, 5.9, 9.12-66

Maitland 1.2, 2.3, 3.5, 3.5-23

MAITLAND: goals: M. Greaves , D. Morgan , S. Davies; best: S. Davies, K. Greaves, D. Mitchell, P. Taylor, C. Sargent, D. Hardidge

CARDIFF: goals: S. Simpson 5, M. Wade 3, A. Roxby; best: S. Simpson, M. Krake, J. Kocon, L. Krake, R. Peatie, J. Wells