Benalla recorded win four for the season after it defeated Tatura by 78 points in round 16 of Goulburn Valley League on Saturday, spurred off the back of a ruthless fourth quarter.
The free-flowing attacking style of play was a sweet response for Jarrad Waite’s men who had been held to three goals in each of their previous three fixtures, as well as following the news of a coaching changeover at season’s end.
However, the win didn’t come without some serious bite from the Bulldogs.
Tatura’s Jacob Chessell’s gave Benalla a fright in the initial proceedings, nailing the first two goals of the game, before Nathan Wright ensured he stamped his name on the contest.
Coming off his VFL debut for the Northern Bullants the previous week where the 22-year-old slotted two goals, the Saints star was evidently lapping up the local level after adapting to the state flight, and made sure to take back the league’s leading goal-kicker title.
Wright surpassed his VFL effort within a nine-minute patch, kicking three of Benalla’s first four majors as the Saints quickly put a leash on the Bulldogs’ hot start.
However, the Bulldogs continued to grit their canine teeth and outscored the Saints 13 to 10 in the second term, leaving the half-time scores separated by slightly more than a couple of goals, 6.9 (45) to 5.2 (32).
Although Tatura was hunting away at a maiden 2025 victory, it was ultimately not a day to lose faith in the Saints.
Benalla rued a handful of missed shots on goal in the third term as Tatura kicked truly, reducing the lead to a gettable eight-point margin, but three red time goals reestablished a handy buffer for the red, white and black.
That fast finish to the term unleashed a wave of unstoppable momentum for the Saints, while the Bulldogs released only a whimper in the last.
Conceding 8.4 to their one point, the three-quarter time deficit of 27 extending to 13 goals by the final siren in another doggedly determined day falling short for Tatura.
Wright bathed in the quality football that ensued in the final term, slotting three more to up his final tally to eight in the 17.18 (120) to 6.6 (42) result, and taking his tally for the year to 54.
It has him clear in front by four goals with fixtures against Rochester and Mansfield to come, the latter boasting second-placed league goal-kicker Will Hogan, shaping round 18 as a shootout for the title.
On the ladder, the Saints shuffle up into ninth as Mooroopna remains on three wins following its earlier loss to Euroa in the split round the previous weekend, while Tatura remains firmly in wooden spoon territory, sustaining its 16th loss of 2025.
With the Cats taking on 11th-placed Shepparton United in round 17 and two top-six sides to come for Benalla, the Saints may find their position outside of double-digits short lived, unless the Saints produce an upset or the Demons spoil Mooroopna’s day.
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