Sport

GVL - Putting the fun back in football works wonders for Benalla

By Tyler Maher

Aug 15, 2021

Benalla remains firmly in the Goulburn Valley League finals hunt after a dominant victory over Tatura on Saturday.

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The Saints went marching towards a win — an eventual 13.17 (95) to 5.9 (39) triumph — thanks to an opening term which netted them 35 points to one.

But playing coach Jake Pallpratt said the message pre-game was much more about enjoyment than anything else.

“It was just good to be back out playing footy,” Pallpratt said.

“We really made it the focus of the day to go out there and enjoy yourself and enjoy playing with your mates again, and I think that helped us start really well.”

The Saints sit two points behind the fifth and sixth teams on the table with two rounds remaining in the regular season and need to keep winning to taste knockout action.

“Unfortunately we have put ourselves in a position where we have to rely on other results a little bit,” Pallpratt said.

“But if we keep winning we should sneak in.”

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With Nick Warnock (five goals) and Jamie Dunne (three) providing a strong one-two punch in attack, Benalla will certainly start as the favourite against Shepparton United next round.

Jordan Wolff, Callum Crisp, James Martiniello and Chris Welsh were also among those impressing against the Bulldogs.

“The forward line functioned really well and there were a couple of younger guys thrown through there too,” Pallpratt said.

“It was pretty rusty footy in general to be honest, the first couple of quarters you could tell we had only played three games in three months.

“We knew it wasn't going to be pretty football, but to be able to get the win was great.”

For Tatura, Will Russell booted two majors and Linc Wellington, Xavier Hutchison, Chris Ryan, Billy Cooper, Jordan O'Dwyer and Curt Ryan worked hard.

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