Despite finishing fifth on the ladder, Benalla’s under-18 football side is set to play for a spot in the decider this weekend, having claimed a sensational triumph over Mooroopna at the weekend in the second elimination final.
Lining up against the Cats at Tatura Park on Saturday, the Saints led from start to finish in an entertaining clash, making the most of their opportunities to win 8.4 (52) to Mooroopna’s 4.13 (37).
Making a hot start to the contest, the Saints booted the opening two goals of the game via Ryder Robertson, both coming within the opening three minutes, as they surged to an early 12-0 lead, and remarkably, one they wouldn’t relinquish for the remainder of the contest.
While the Cats managed to get themselves on the board before quarter-time, Josh Hart replied soon after to reinstate the 12-point advantage, while a late flurry of Mooroopna behinds saw the close the gap to nine points at the break, though it was Benalla ahead 3.0 (18) to 1.3 (9).
The second term saw the Saints record two scoring shots to the Cats’ three, but the difference lay in the accuracy, as Braedon Blackford and Owain Boyle ensured both of Benalla’s attempts sailed through the big sticks, while Mooroopna was left to lament three behinds, as the Saints’ advantage widened to 18 points entering the rooms.
Following the main break, Benalla looked to press the advantage, though seemed to have caught the Cats’ inaccuracy, booting the opening three behinds of the term before Mooroopna finally made them pay, kicking the only goal of the third quarter to reduce the deficit to 14 points by the final change, however, Benalla still held the ascendancy, ahead 5.3 (33) to 2.7 (19).
In the early exchanges of the final term, the Saints looked to have put it beyond doubt, as both Hart and Boyle added their second goals to push the lead to a game-high 25 points, leading 6.3 (45) to Mooroopna’s 2.8 (20).
The Cats continued to threaten, though, and generated plenty of chances, booting the next two majors and peppering the goals for a few behinds too, as the lead dwindled down under two kicks and the clock neared full time.
It would Robertson, though, that sealed the deal for Benalla, capping a superb day out with the final goal of the contest to sink any hopes Mooroopna had of a comeback victory, extending the margin back to 17 points.
Mooroopna fought hard, adding a further two behinds before full time, but ultimately the Saints proved too strong, running out 15-point victors to continue their charge into September.
Remarkably, despite finishing fifth, the Saints find themselves playing for a spot in the grand final this weekend as the highest seeded team remaining after the elimination finals, following sixth-placed Shepparton United’s upset victory over third-placed Kyabram on Sunday.
Benalla will face a formidable Echuca side this Sunday at Kyabram Recreation Reserve with the winner advancing to the decider, while the loser will face the winner of the clash between Shepparton and Shepparton United in a preliminary final the following week to decide the final spot.
In other finals results, Benalla’s B-reserve netball side has bowed out of the 2026 season, having fallen to reigning premier Seymour on Saturday at Tatura Park.
The Saints put up a brilliant fight, however, were unable to go with the Lions when they put the foot down, ultimately suffering a 28-46 defeat, bringing their season to a close.
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