The Southern Saints have claimed their second win of the season, producing a come-from-behind victory to defeat Casey Demons by eight points at SkyBus Stadium late Saturday afternoon.
Down by 12 points at the final break, the Saints kicked three goals early in the term to take the lead for the first time in the match.
The Saints fought hard to hold the ball inside their forward half before Ali Brown launched from outside 50m, bouncing through a goal.
The Demons charged forward in a frantic few final minutes, reducing the margin to just eight points, but it was ultimately not enough as the Saints clung on for a 6.3 (39) to 4.7 (31) victory.
Photos: Southern Saints upset Demons
Saints head coach Peta Searle said there was a sense of excitement among the group as she addressed the team at
“I said [to the players] it was an opportunity to get a win against a quality outfit, who have quite a few AFLW players. I said really, it was up to them, destiny was in their hands,” Searle admitted post-match.
“The girls, with both an offensive and defensive mindset, needed to be there for the whole quarter and they were.”
The Southern Saints ran out in a pride guernsey for IDAHOT.
With the Southern Saints sporting a pride strip in recognition of the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) held earlier in the week, it was an uphill battle for the young Saints as Casey took advantage of a first-quarter gale.
But the Saints didn’t give up, their pressure causing the Demons to misfire with 2.5 (11) for the quarter.
Southern Saints' historic first win
After a scoreless first term, the Saints responded through Danielle Lawrence and Megan Supple, who converted from free kicks.
Rhiannon Watt’s ruck
The Saints impressively held Casey to only one major in the third quarter, as the backline worked hard to negate most of the Demon’s forward 50m entries.
After impressing in the backline for three quarters, Kate Macqueen swung forward in the last and proved critical, booting two crucial goals within three minutes to give the Saints a one-point lead.
A goal from star midfielder Ali Drennan followed soon after, bringing the Saints’ home crowd to life, who willed the girls onto their second straight win.
Drennan's football fuelled by unusual fitness regime
Drennan was awarded a second best-on-ground performance in as many weeks, the midfielder finishing the game with a match-high 22 disposals and 12 tackles.
Searle was full of praise for Drennan’s performance post-match, labelling the midfielder a “running machine”.
“She didn’t get a rest, and she probably ran the most in the last quarter. She plays with a big heart and plays for her mates,” the head coach said.
“Her ability to run onto the ball and kick it forward is very impressive.”
The Southern Saints host Essendon at the Trevor Barker Beach Oval at
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Southern Saints 0.0 (0) 2.1 (13) 2.1 (13) 6.3 (39)
Casey Demons 2.5 (17) 2.5 (17) 3.7 (25) 4.7 (31)
GOALS K. Macqueen 2, M. Supple, A. Brown, A. Drennan, D. Lawrence
BEST A. Drennan, R. Watt, G. Walker, K. Macqueen, A. Brown, S. Karlson
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Southern Saints vs Essendon
