The Maitland Saints star recruit Steve Doran and a crop of rising young guns shone on a day when the storm clouds couldn't be darker and the conditions wetter in Saturday's trial against Penrith Rams.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Promoted to the Sydney Premier Division this season, Penrith were too strong and experienced for the Saints running out five-goal victors.
But Saints joint-coaches Ben Stewart and Dustin Spriggs saw enough to suggest they were in for a far better year.
"We have been trying to train a real fast, quick game style all pre-season and there was little chance for any of that to come through on Saturday," Spriggs said.
"We had to throw that out the window and just concentrate on the basics of wet-weather footy, getting the ball forward quickly, playing in front and being there in support of one another.
"Our new recruit Steve Doran was excellent, he was in and under the packs all day and showed he is going to be a huge acquisition for our midfield.
"Steve has VFL and NEAFL experience, most recently playing with Queensland Gold Coast team Labrador in the NEAFL against the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions."
Spriggs said a number of young players impressed.
"Jye Rory, one of our under-17s from last year, was sensational up forward, he kicked two goals including a really good roving goal," he said. "Jye is an indigenous boy from Katherine in the NT and he played a few games of senior footy last year.
"He has come back and done a full season and is started to speak up at training and assert himself as a senior player.
"Riley Newstead played well in the midfield and across the halfback. Aiden Fitzgerald played a little bit in the ruck and a little bit up key forward and he had never played a game of footy before and showed some excellent athleticism."
But the best sign for all Saints fans was the form of a super-fit Pat McMahon, with the key forward ripping the game apart in a 10-minute cameo in the midfield in the third quarter.
Pat is flying, the conditions and playing on a small ground didn't suit him but be chucked him in the midfield in the third quarter and he tore through it," Spriggs said.
For anyone interested in following or joining the club it's Facebook page is @MSAFC
If you like this story, subscribe to The Maitland Mercury to see more like it - sign up here.
