Maitland Saints had a confidence-building 88-point win against Singleton on Saturday in the absence of several leading players including captain Rob Eddy.
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Midfield star Wade Beard had another day out up front, kicking six goals in 20 minutes at full-forward in the Saints 20.11 (131) score.
He was supported by small forwards Joshua Button (3) , Chris Pedler (3) and Aiden Damico (1), as well as midfield input from Mitch Greaves (2) and Jim Taranto (2).
Saints player and former club president Kevin Greaves said there was a host of stand-out performances, but it was the manner in which the team combined that was most pleasing.
He said Jim Taranto, Cameron Mitchell, Luke Garland and Mitch Greaves led the midfield, but all players who rotated through the centre stepped up in support play and getting numbers to the contest.
“There’s still a lot more work to be done, but we were effective in getting people around the ball and giving options to clear and set up play,” he said.
Greaves said the backline was again strong and showed the benefits of playing together over an extended period now with clever use of handball and switching play to set up attacks.
He said the team would be strengthened with the return of several key players including Eddy, who injured an elbow during the week, Justin Hogan up forward and key backmen Andrew Elbourn and Ben Crowley.
“There is real pressure on spots in both teams now. We have been able to employ a rule that if you don’t train you cannot play seniors.”
The division two team also showed improvement against the strong Singleton outfit, losing 4.10 (34) to 7.11 (53).
Greaves said the club had next weekend off and would celebrate 50-game milestones for Beard and Mitchell at home against Lake Macquarie on May 2.
Division 1
Maitland 4.3, 8.6, 12.10, 20.11 (131)
Singleton 2.3, 4.4, 4.5, 6.7 (43)
MAITLAND: Goals: W. Beard 6, J. Button 3, C. Pedler 3, M. Greaves 2, D. Yager 2, J. Taranto 2, J. Palmer , A. Damico
Best players: L. Garland , T. Grosveld , D. Miosge , H. Taylor , J. Button , W. Beard.
Division 2
Maitland 2.4, 3.6, 3.10, 4.10 (34)
Singleton 1.2, 1.3, 4.4, 7.11 (53)
MAITLAND: Goals: C. Peters 2, C. Carroll , R. Merrick . Best players: C. Carroll , C. Peters , A. Broadway , S. Davies , J. Galvin , L. Free
