After finally gaining some of its best players back from injury, Berrigan was back to its best on Saturday.
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Coming up against a finals bound team in Picola United, no one could have predicted the outcome.
It seemed to be a case of Berrigan “wanted it more”.
With sheer determination and endlessly striving for the taste of victory, it all fell into place for Berrigan.
They played an amazing four quarters to take an eight point win.
Fraser Haintz was back to his Best and Fairest level best after an unlucky run with injuries.
As captain of this side, he is one of Berrigan’s favourites and leads by example.
Linking in the middle with Haintz was ruckman Adam Way, the duo looking to be running on the same wave length - especially in the third term.
When working together, the experience was phenomenal.
Way’s tap work and the youthful athleticism and desperation of Haintz created incredible plays from the centre, resulting in some of the best country footy seen in years.
Mason Peters was instrumental in the win, too.
He sacrificed his own chance to get on the end of a few goals to go down back and play a tagging role on one of Picola’s best.
He shut his opponent down, and also became invaluable in passages of play between the forward and defensive 50s - and also found time to sneak a goal.
Tristan Mears and Lance Arnold controlled either end of the oval, with Mears booting four goals at one end while Arnold was a force to be reckoned with down back.
A terrific game for the Saints that saw life and excitement reappear both with the players and the fans.
Final score: Berrigan 9.5 (59) def Picola 8.3 (51).
The reserves side took the field with a healthy number of players for the first time in weeks.
This was helped by some first-time footy players from Ireland donning the boots for the red, white and black.
The side also welcomed back several players who had been missing in action due to injury or artwork, which was great to see.
Final score: Picola 8.10 (58) def Berrigan 4.1 (25).
Justin Hoggan leaps to win.
Berrigan’s under-17s had a handy win against Picola on Saturday.
Final score: Berrigan 6.4 (40) def Picola to 3.3 (21).
Goals: M Loomes 2, X Fox 2, C Baxter, L Whelan.
Best: C Baxter, X Fox, C Thornton, A Cameron, H Cooper, J Magill.
The youngest Saints had a strong showing on Saturday, defeating the Picola fourths by a whopping 108 points.
Final score: Berrigan 16.18 (114) def Picola 1.0 (6).
Goals: J Swann 6, L Whelan 3, T Thornton 2, H Cooper 2, J Tooke , D Ryan, H Ware.
Best: H Cooper, J Tooke, L Whelan, J Swann, J Magill, N Arnold.
3°C