Saints embrace reality check at the top

A loss and a draw have done little to dent East Belmont’s confidence, with coach Cameron Brown viewing the results as a timely reminder that every Geelong Baseball Association match presents a challenge.

The Saints opened the season with 10 straight wins before falling to third-placed Lara and drawing with second-placed Werribee over the past fortnight.

Brown said the group had never become consumed by the prospect of an unbeaten season.

“I think the group we’ve got is smart enough to not get wrapped up in the idea of a perfect season,” he said.

“My message to the group is to take each game one by one.

“We respect our competition – there’s some great players out there in the league. We know that you don’t need to be a long way off to be beaten by somebody else who is in really good form.

“We just want to get out there and play our best every week.”

Beyond the results, Brown said the club’s greatest source of encouragement had been the development of its emerging players.

“Our list is in a really strong position already,” he said. “We’ve got some legitimate ball players that are all in the good part of their careers.

“[But] the really impressive part of the season so far has been how far the youth have come, which speaks to the program that we’re putting together.

“Guys like Jack Northfield and Alex Papadopoulos, they’re only 17 or so, but they’re playing in the highest level that they can at the moment and they’re doing as good as anybody.”

While last season’s grand final ended in disappointment for East Belmont, Brown said there was little value in dwelling on the result.

“It hurt to lose, but it doesn’t take away from all the hard work that it takes to get there,” he said.

“That game was an incredible game. It could have gone either way – we did everything but win it.

“Whether it’s grand final day or round 1, for us, it’s just about getting out there and enjoying ourselves and playing the best we can.”

East Belmont will host Guild at home on Saturday and will look to remain atop the ladder.