St Albans is hitting its straps at the right time of the WRFL division 1 season.
The Saints have won three of their past four matches to break into the top four for the first time this season.
A stunning nine goals to two in the opening term was the tonic for the Saints’ 37-point win over Sunshine Kangaroos at Kings Park Reserve on Saturday.
“That was the difference … we just came off the blocks fast,” Saints coach Fabian Carelli told Star Weekly.
“We’ve really struggled early on in matches this year, so we’ve made it a big focus and we’re reaping the rewards at the moment.
“You don’t expect to kick nine goals, but our focus in warm-up and pre-game has all been on our starts and being switched on early.”
St Albans was able to demonstrate both sides of its game.
The Saints were hot offensively in the first quarter, but when the Kangaroos started to mount a comeback, their defences withstood the barrage.
“Sunshine kept coming at us,” Carelli said. “Four or five weeks ago, our bad quarters would’ve cost us five or six goals, but now we’re limiting it.
“We’re bridging that gap between our best and our worst and that’s where we’ve seen the sharpest improvement so far.
“It’s about drilling into them a belief in our game plan and not trying to waver from it, especially when you’re under pressure.”
St Albans has the benefit of a dangerous tall forward line and as the season wears on and the weather improves, it will only help the Saints’ ability to put up big scores.
The Saints are already the fourth-ranked offence in the league, averaging 87 points a game.
Lachlan Baddeley (six goals) and Leigh Brennan (three) shared in nine goals against the Roos.
Brennan’s willingness to change up his role with the Saints has been a fresh lease of life for the player and bonus for his new club.
“He was a traditional stay-at-home forward at Rupertswood for a number of years,” Carelli said.
“He’s come to St Albans and played that connect kick, between half-forward and half-back. He’s embraced the role.
“We’ve even put on him the wing at times and he’s loved it.
“He’s just a real workhorse. He has a clean pair of hands and when he gets the footy and is delivering inside forward 50, blokes are champing at the bit because they know they’re going to get it lace out.”
Baddeley was the recipient of a number of Brennan’s spearing kicks.
But when the ball was not served up on a platter, Baddeley found a way to get involved in the contest and kick a bag.
“He took some great one-on-one marks,” Carelli said.
“He kicked four goals in the first quarter and helped set the game up for us.
“It was his brute strength in the first quarter, when he out-bustled a few blokes.”
The unsung hero for St Albans was backman Max Sosnowski, who was named best on ground for his negating role on Kangaroos goal sneak Daniel Castellano.
“He’s played a couple of shutdown roles of late and it seems to be his bread and butter,” Carelli said.
“We’ve found a niche for him.”
St Albans is one of the form sides in the competition, but it will mean little going to Albion this Saturday.
The Cats have endured a tough season, but are always competitive on home soil.
“Albion at Albion is no pushover.” Carelli said.
“Everyone struggles there and they’ve pushed teams week in, week out at home.
“We’ve got to be switched on every game.
“We’ve got to play like we’re playing for our lives every week.”
