Top Bloods run cold

THERE was a hint of ice in the air at Victoria Park on Saturday but no sign of champagne football.Instead, what emerged to warm, hardy spectators who huddled under the shelters was something more traditional and appropriate for a midwinter contest between the third-placed host Koroit and competition pacesetter Terang Mortlake.The Saints emerged with an 11.10 (76) to 10.11 (71) victory - their second of the season against the Bloods - after an old-fashioned scrap which wasn't resolved until time-on of the last quarter.It was a low-scoring game shaped by defensive pressure and tackling, which led to handling and skill errors on both sides.The scoring also followed a familiar pattern in the second half with the visitors opening a small buffer mid-term which would prompt a late rally from Koroit.The margin at the 15-minute mark of the final quarter was eight points in favour of Terang Mortlake.The break came after Nick Couch kicked his second goal of the term with a precise finish to follow a graceful, evasive pirouette. Koroit was creating enough opportunities but needed a cool head for the finish. It arrived at the 19-minute mark when half-back Karl Dwyer converted a set shot from the right forward pocket.A running goal from Brett Harrington three minutes later in the opposite pocket capped some good evasive work at half-forward from Luke Gavin to edge the Saints ahead by four points.Crumbing forward Peter Makarona had a chance to put a memorable exclamation mark on the result when he took a spectacular mark standing on the shoulders of Ben Kenna on the edge of the goal square. His set shot from 20 metres missed badly to the right, squeezing in for a point.Play was still on the Koroit half-forward line when the siren sounded.After a challenging month for the Saints, which yielded three defeats and a last-gasp win against North Warrnambool Eagles, the result confirmed Koroit was back in the premiership mix.As the only side to have beaten Terang Mortlake, it also has the special ingredient other would-be contenders are yet to discover. The most obvious was its ability to apply sustained pressure and capitalise on turnovers. Isaac Templeton, who started at half-back before joining the onball rotations, set the tone with 14 tackles.Ruckman Dan Noonan stepped up in the second half by running to space and becoming an effective link option, then feeding the ball to the right running option.Koroit was also rewarded for its homework with the match-ups, pitting Adam O'Keefe against dangerous midfielder Danny Stone.Terang Mortlake was unable to use its interchange bench in the final quarter after injuries to Nathan Jones (knee), Nick Kenna (hip), Corey Rounds (corkie) and Nathan Couch (corkie), which diminished its running capacity.