Hopes were high for a fairytale finish for the former Carlton and North Melbourne AFL spearhead, but it wasn’t to be against third-placed Mansfield, with the Eagles proving far too strong and handing the Saints a 10.9 (69) to 18.13 (121) loss at Benalla Showgrounds.
It was an ominous beginning to the contest for Benalla, with Mansfield slotting the first five goals unanswered, with a late major to Jordan Wolff the only score the Saints registered in the opening term, heading into the quarter-time huddle 25 points down.
Benalla found its groove in the second term, however, with Nathan Wright and Tom Riley opening their accounts for the afternoon, while Wolff added his second, with the Saints able to match the Eagles to ensure the margin remained at a steady 25 points by the time the siren sounded for half-time.
The high-flying Eagles are considered a strong flag chance this season and it was in the premiership quarter that they made their mark, slamming home 7.5 in a show of strength to put the game to bed, opening up a game-high lead of 58 points at the final change of ends.
Wright added his second and third goals for the afternoon as Benalla’s only goal kicker in what was a dismal third term, as attention turned salvaging something in the final quarter of the year.
They didn’t have to wait long for the highlight, with Waite slotting the Saints’ first of the fourth quarter in a nice moment for the outgoing coach and club, while Wolff added a third and Wright a fourth as Benalla outscored the Eagles to at the very least win the final term, cutting the margin to 52 at the final siren.
Nick Warnock was named Benalla’s best in the loss, clunking 14 marks and tallying 27 disposals in yet another solid outing, while Wolff (three goals), Nick Mellington (25 disposals), Sam Begley (19 disposals, 4 tackles) and Will O’Donoghue (17 disposals) were also among the votes.
Wright’s four-goal haul, the most of any player on the ground, also takes his season tally to 64 from 17 games in his first season at the Saints, a remarkable return that ensures he tops the league goal-kicking, five clear of Rochester’s Hugh Hamilton on 59.
The Saints finish the 2025 season in ninth spot on the ladder with a 4-14 record, and will enjoy a refresh in the off-season ahead of a 2026 campaign under the tutelage of incoming coach Nicholas Pearson.
