By Mitch Turner
South Belgrave continued its incredible unbeaten run – which spans back to 2018 – when they completed a stunning victory on the weekend over Heathmont, overcoming a 22-point deficit at three quarter time to come out eventual victors by 20 points.
The win came off the back of a seven-goal to nil fourth quarter, spearheaded by 2019 Blue Ribbon Medallist Leigh Odermatt and ex Melbourne Demon Timothy Smith (coming off a 4 goal performance against Mulgrave), who had nine goals between them and were named as their teams two best players for the match.
Saints coach Luke Galliot admitted he “thought it was going to be tough to find a way to win”, as Heathmont “had a really good plan” and “took risks that paid off for them”.
“It’s really as simple as that they played better than us… I thought they probably deserved to win” he said of the currently winless Jets, who are under new tutelage with Nick Rutley beginning his time at H.E.Parker Reserve this season.
Galliot gave full credit to his own side for finding something in the final quarter which enabled such an incredible fightback and also said a few positional changes proved key to their increased impact on the scoreboard.
“I think our forward line is clearly very dangerous, so we needed to create more opportunities for those guys to get one-on-ones and get the scoreboard ticking over”, he said.
Asked whether he believed the performance would give his side some momentum going into Round three against a fellow undefeated side in the red-hot Boronia, Galliot said that it would, however having to kick seven goals to none in the final quarter to get the win wasn’t the ideal way to play.
“(We) wouldn’t want to be relying on that too often”, he said.
“I’m certain there’s stuff we’ll tweak… I think there’s some stuff we’ve identified within our group that needs to change”, he said.
That comment comes after the Saints have managed 17 goals across their two 4th quarters this season, but only managed to muster nine goals in the other six quarters combined, a trend that will worry the South Belgrave hierarchy.
For Heathmont, this loss will be a very hard pill to swallow.
Having outplayed a side that has not lost in 976 days for a full 3 quarters, only to be kept scoreless in the 4th quarter, is an incredibly difficult way to find yourself 0-2 to start the season.
The Jets will take some positives from Jed Hansen’s starring role, as he booted four goals and was named as one of Heathmont’s best afield.