Loss bolsters Saints’ resolve

AS the agony of a grand final defeat sunk in, Heathcote’s senior footy coach Andrew Saladino said the loss would be a motivating tool for the 2024 season and beyond.

The Saints were overrun in the final quarter of last Saturday’s grand final by Mount Pleasant at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.

In the space of 12 minutes the Saints’ run to premiership glory was derailed as the Blues turned a one-point deficit at the start of the last quarter into a four-goal lead.

“We had played three solid quarters in what was a great contest,” Saladino said. “In the last we fumbled a lot and Mounts capitalised on our skill errors.

“They also smashed us at centre clearances.

“I was confident we could outrun Mounts in the last, but they wanted it more and lifted their game accordingly.

“Full credit to Mounts who played brilliant football, not just today, but all of the finals series.”

As he reflected on the game and season, Saladino said the Saints could be inspired by what Mounts had done.

A year earlier the Blues were overpowered by Lockington Bamawm United in the grand final.

“We will learn a lot from today’s match,” said Saladino who took charge at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve in 2022.

Not so long ago the Saints and Blues were on or near the bottom of the HDFNL ladder.

Saturday’s grand final capped a great resurgence by both clubs which did not happen by chance.

“This game tests you, not just about courage and skills, but character,” said Saladino. “As a club we will stick together and work harder to be better.”

Among the many highs in a season where the Saints win-loss record of 13-3 to lead the ladder, and the Sam Cheatley Medal win by on-baller Liam Jacques as the league’s fairest and best.

“To have Liam, Corey Grindlay, Braden Padmore and Codie Price selected in the league’s team of the year was a fantastic achievement,” said Saladino. “There is so much upside to this team.”