SAINTS MARCH TO 17-0

By: Tash Gunawardana

SOUTH BELGRAVE is undefeated and atop the table in Division 3, boasting a percentage of 395.27, four games clear of second-placed Ferntree Gully.

Senior coach Luke Galliott spoke to EFL Sunday about another comprehensive 56-point victory, this time against Waverley Blues last weekend.

“The boys started really well and was probably over at quarter time albeit we fought it out and certainly lifted in the second quarter with their intensity around the footy,” he said.

“They were coming at us, but we were certainly able to keep them at bay after that.”

It has been pleasing for the Saints’ coaching group, the way the boys have been stepping up each week.

“I feel like sometimes coaching the group, we feel like what we say as a coaching group could be somewhat monotonous or boring and the way you go about that, but the fortunate part for me is the group, they play really well every week and consistently well,” Galliott said.

“They understand how we want them to play, our system, our style whatever you want to call it, they go in week in and week out, no questions asked.

“It’s been fantastic from my point of view and great to have a group like this first up.”

The Saints have had consistently strong wins by huge margins, but Galliott knows his side will need to keep a mental edge for the remainder of the season and not become complacent.

They have used about up to 33 players this season due to injuries.

“We had our young kid Sean Bartels who was injured for the majority of year and who has just come back and starting to get into it now,” Galliott said.

“He probably played three (matches) in the twos, we probably made him work for it a little bit and then each week in the main game he’s sort of getting better and probably the goals and what not on the weekend is reward for that.

“We have a couple of niggles at the moment, Mike Smith has a bit of a soft tissue, but he’ll be right probably first final.

“Tim Riseley missed the last couple and will be back this week.”

Tim Riseley in action for the Saints.

Since his return to the seniors from injury, Bartels has kicked eight goals in two games and now as a team the Saints have 136 goals kicked between three players.

“He has shown what a huge talent I think he is,” Galliott said.

South Belgrave meets the Whitehorse Pioneers this Saturday as it looks to complete the perfect season.