St Albans is going to need more time, but it knows the clock is ticking.
The new-look Saints need more refinement in their game and that will only come with more time spent on the ground as a unit.
With a 2-3 record, time is a precious commodity, so the Saints cannot afford to wait too much longer to get it all together, otherwise the teams in the top half of the Western Region Football League division 1 ladder – already a game and percentage clear of the sixth-placed Saints – could create too much of a wedge.
Saints football manager Bill Asani is pleased to see his team has the hunger to improve, but a lack of cohesion is still being exposed when playing top five sides.
Despite controlling much of the play against undefeated Altona at Kings Park Reserve on Saturday, St Albans went down by 22 points – a direct result of its turnover-prone football.
“We’re still learning the brand of football that we want to play,” Asani said.
“Unfortunately we’re turning the ball over a lot and good teams like Altona make you pay.
“They also converted when they had to and we unfortunately didn’t.”
St Albans’ best football is breathtaking, but it has not been seen often enough so far. The Saints flew out of the blocks with victories over Caroline Springs and Wyndhamvale with six-goal-to-one opening quarters.
Against Altona, the Saints repeated the dose, kicking six goals to one in the first term to lead by 32 points at quarter-time.
Leigh Brennan was outstanding for St Albans, finishing with five goals in a best-on performance for his side.
Meanwhile, Deer Park busted the game wide open with an eight-goal-to-one second quarter in a 62-point win over Albion.
Caroline Springs came from 18 points back at quarter-time to beat Wyndhamvale by 38 points, while Sunshine Kangaroos’ misery continued with a six-point home loss to Spotswood.
In division 2, Albanvale struggled offensively with just three goals in a 31-point loss to Manor Lakes.
In division 3, North Sunshine was thrashed by Point Cook Centrals to the tune of 76 points, Sunshine Heights suffered a 36-point loss to Tarneit and Braybrook had a 40-point win over Glen Orden.
Lance Jenkinson
