The Saints were without several key players including injured forward Wade Beard and dynamic midfielders Ben Stewart and Jim Taranto, but created a big enough buffer to outlast the Panthers in the final term.

Pat McMahon and versatile ruckman Hayden Taylor led the way up forward with three and two goals respectively.

Small forward Josh Button rose to the challenge in the midfield rotations to put in a best-on-ground peformance.

Justin Broadley, Andrew Elbourn and Kaiden Ritchie also had big games. Skipper Rob Eddie continued his return from injury with another strong game and if he maintains his fitness could be a crucial factor in the finals.

The Saints Division 2 team continue to battle despite struggling for numbers because of injuries across the squad. They were unable to match the Panthers falling 116-32 but they continue to play a vital role in Maitland’s full-squad campaign.

The Saints women put in a strong performance against unbeaten Nelson Bay, keeping the competition benchmark to just six goals to fall by 40 points.

Amanda Smith marshalled the defence in a best-on-ground performance for the Saints. She was ably supported by Taylor Quinton-Widl, Amanda Nevin, Hannah Hill, Anna Fraser and Maddison Jackson.

The Saints host Lake Macquarie in first grade on Saturday. The Division 2 team has a bye and the Women’s team are on the road facing Cardiff at Newcastle No.1 Sportsground.

Terrigal Avoca 3.2, 4.2, 4.4, 6.5-41

Maitland 1.1, 4.5, 9.8, 9.11-65

MAITLAND: Goals: P. McMahon 3, H. Taylor 2, J. Button, M. Greaves, J. Broadley, G. Lambert. Best: J. Button, J. Broadley, A. Elbourn, H. Taylor, K. Ritchie, R. Eddy

Terrigal Avoca 4.2, 9.2, 13.6,18.8-116

Maitland 0.0, 2.1, 3.1, 5.2-32

MAITLAND: Goals: L. Nevin, M. Curran, R. Merrick, P. Taylor, J. Riches. Best: M. Greaves, C. Sargent, R. Merrick, A. Hansen, L. Nevin, S. Taylor.

Maitland 0.1, 0.3, 0.3, 0.3-3

Nelson Bay: 0.3, 3.6, 5.7, 6.7-43

MAITLAND: Best: A. Smith, T. Quinton-Widl, A. Nevin, H. Hill, A. Fraser, M. Jackson