Why South Belgrave has edge on EFL Division 2 rivals

The Saints are unbeaten in the EFL’s Division 2 after three rounds – with a key stat emerging in each of their wins.

Top of the ladder – it’s a position familiar to South Belgrave in recent seasons.

And it’s where the Saints sit after marching to a third consecutive victory on Saturday, downing Templestowe 10.19 (79) to 5.4 (34) in the EFL’s Division 2.

South Belgrave has conceded just six second-half goals in the first three rounds. Picture: Hamish Blair

The Saints dug themselves out of a 29-point quarter-time deficit to record the 45-point win, led by four goals to Sam Brown and three to Leigh Odermatt.

The Round 3 clash followed a trend in each of their outings this season.

All three of the Saints’ wins have come off the back of overrunning their opponent in the second half, after close half-time margins.

They closed the gap on Templestowe to 11 points on Saturday, led Knox by 10 points in Round 2 and Heathmont by 12 points in Round 1.

They’ve collectively outscored their opponents 22.23 (155) to 6.11 (47) in second halves in the opening three rounds.

But there’s no secret to South Belgrave’s barnstorming finishes, senior coach Luke Galliott says.

“I think it’s fitness to be honest,” Galliott said.

“I think I let them off the hook last year (following) the COVID off-year, and I was rapt with how they approached the salary cap cuts. I sort of just took the foot off the pedal (last year with fitness) and we just weren’t prepared. We got exposed against Heathmont in the last game we played for the year – they just ran over us.

“It was a good thing for us in a way – we just identified that our preparation, fitness wasn’t right.”

Mitch Garner contests the ruck on Saturday. Picture: Hamish Blair

Galliott said his side may have an edge on rivals after a drastically improved pre-season.

“I just think we’re half a step ahead of some on the back of that,” he said.

“We’re grinding early, sides are putting it to us, Knox were good for a half (in Round 2) and Heathmont are a good side. There’s a bit of confidence in the group that we can finish games off well.”

The Saints have had to do it without two-time league medallist Liam Kidd, with the on-baller out for the season after suffering a foot injury in Round 1.

Key recruit Bryce Hards is out for 12 weeks with a thumb injury and former AFL Kangaroo Taylor Garner hasn’t played for his new club yet due to a leg injury.

Galliott said Garner was “two or three weeks away”.

Kidd’s absence saw key forward Tim Smith moved on-ball after half-time on Saturday following a bag of seven in Round 2. The former Melbourne Demon has finished best afield in three consecutive weeks.

Tim Smith in action for South Belgrave on Saturday. Picture: Hamish Blair

“We’re under fire a little bit (with injuries), but that’s why we had to use Tim on the ball, but he’s just a gun. This week we used him in a different role and he got it done for us again,” Galliott said.

Galliott said while the unbeaten start hadn’t been perfect with the injuries sustained, the emerging talents had embraced their opportunities at senior level.

The premiership coach highlighted under-19 names Charlie Peters and Cayden Black who are now two of the club’s three main on-ballers.

“We had eight changes (on Saturday) – all forced bar one. It (injury) allows us to play kids (and) there were definitely six, maybe seven under-19s (on Saturday) and they all held up and played well for us,” Galliott said.

“The depth’s getting tested but it’s probably more our under-19s that we’ve gone to which is exciting – we’ve just got to keep fighting the fight I guess.”