A five-goal haul from forward Lachlan Baddeley guided St Albans to a 36-point win against Port Melbourne in the Western Region Football League on Saturday.
The Saints recovered from a three-point deficit at quarter time to take control of the match.
St Albans conceded just four goals after the first break, while kicking 11 itself to secure an impressive 15.12 (102) to 9.12 (66) win.
Saints’ coach Marcus Barclay was happy to come away with the victory despite having a number of key players out.
“It was a bit of a danger game for us,” Barclay said.
“We have six or seven of our really good players out. It was the first time this year that it really tested our depth from our reserves.
“I thought the boys who came in did really well and that is what we need.
“We are always going to get a few injuries and I know Port has got them as well.
“We are very happy to come away with a win today.”
Baddeley’s five-goal haul takes his overall goal kicking tally for the season to 27. It is also the second time for the year he has kicked five goals or more in a match.
Barclay was also impressed by defender Teghan Henderson who led the way on the backline.
The win means the Saints hang on to fifth place on the WRFL division 1 ladder.
St Albans is two games clear of sixth-placed Sunshine.
The Saints will next take on seventh-placed Altona, a side that comprehensively knocked them out of last year’s finals series.
Barclay said he was expecting another tough clash.
“Altona knocked off Port Melbourne last week by five goals and we won today by six,” he said.
“You would think it would be a pretty solid hit out.
“We spoke about the match coming up a little bit after the game [on Saturday]. There is a little bit behind getting annihilated in the finals last year. The blokes who played in that game were pretty disappointed.”
