A thrilling one point win over the North Warrnambool Eagles has lifted Koroit out of the danger zone and into the thick of the action for the battle for the top three.
Koroit is now in third place, ahead of South Warrnambool on percentage and they now have a two game gap on the fifth placed Eagles, with a place in the finals now almost a sure thing for the Saints.
The win over the Eagles carried with it some extra merit as it was achieved at Bushfield on a heavy ground.
The first quarter set the tone for the game, with scores level at quarter time with goals hard to come by.
The Eagles were able to gain an advantage when they kicked two goals to the Saints, one in the second quarter to go into the main break with a five point lead.
The third quarter saw the game open up and goals started to flow at each end but it was the Saints who were able to score the heaviest, with their five goals eclipsing the Eagles' four and setting them up with a seven point lead going into the final term.
The Saints looked home late in the game after both teams had kicked a goal each for the quarter before a goal in the dying moments from the Eagles made the Koroit supporters heart beat faster.
But the Saints players kept their cool and were able to hold onto their one point lead for a memorable win.
Being able to win a tight game like this is a great asset for the Saints in a competition where every win is vital in the jostle for finals positions and a place in the top three.
This week the Saints come up against Terang Mortlake in what is another must win game, with the Bloods in seventh place on the ladder but just two games behind Koroit.
Sam and Ben Dobson again shape as key players with the brothers in outstanding form after another great performance against the Eagles.
Sam kicked five goals and Ben two and they provide the Saints with two very potent attacking weapons.
Koroit 11. 12. 78 defeated North Warrnambool Eagles 11. 11. 77
Goals: S. Dobson 5, B. Dobson 2, B. Purcell , B. Goodall , J. Hausler, J. McLaren
Best: K. Dwyer, S. Dobson, J. McLaren, B. Dobson, B. Harrington, J. North
RESERVES
The third placed Eagles proved too strong for Koroit in the reserves game when they won by 29 points. Koroit failed to score in the first quarter meaning the Eagles were able to skip out to a 22 point lead, which the Saints were not able to drag back in. Clinton and Jordan Sicely were among the Saints' best players.
UNDER 18s
Koroit is still a game clear in fifth place, despite a 35 point loss to the Eagles.
The Eagles restricted the Saints to one goal for the first half and were able to make the most of that advantage to have a comfortable win.
For Koroit, Josef McIvor continued on his good season with another strong game while Corey Dwyer and Thomas Moir were also good players.
JUNIORS
The juniors had a visit from Warrnambool on what was a cold and wet day last Sunday.
The under 12s began the day with an entertaining encounter with the players from both teams showing some impressive skills in the wet. In the under 14s three goals to bottom age player Jack Turner set the Saints on the way to a 25 point win.
This week the second placed Saints come up against Cobden who are fourth on the ladder in what will be a good test.
In the under 16s, Warrnambool was too strong, winning by 142 points with Bradley Bell playing an impressive game for the Saints.
