IT’S been seven rounds since a team has kicked a goal against Koroit in the last quarter.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Seven.
Warrnambool couldn’t add to the six goals it had at three-quarter-time on Saturday, managing just the one behind for the term.
It was the latest in a string of six matches that has also seen Hamilton Kangaroos, Portland, Port Fairy, South Warrnambool and Camperdown go without a major against the Saints in the final quarter.
North Warrnambool Eagles were the last team to register a goal against the Saints in the fourth term, booting two in round nine.
The recent miserliness has been a far cry from matches in the first half of the season, when Koroit seemingly took the foot off the pedal when in a commanding position.
They conceded five goals against Terang Mortlake in round eight and Hamilton Kangaroos in round five – their opponents had just three and two goals respectively to that point.
The Saints’ worst fourth quarter for the year came in the season opener, when they conceded six in a 70-point loss to Port Fairy.
“Was it six? It felt like 16,” Koroit coach Chris McLaren wryly noted.
But the Saints mentor has been pleased with how his charges have finished off games in the second half of the season.
“We try to run games out, obviously, like like everyone else,” he said.
“We think our fitness levels are really strong.
“No doubt there are some factors in why that (not conceding a goal) has happened – we’ve been in some strong positions.
“Whether it’s fitness or whether we wear teams down … our last quarters have been really pleasing.”
Whether it's fitness or whether we wear teams down ... our last quarters have been really pleasing.
- Chris McLaren
The Saints boast the best defence in the league, conceding just 53 points a game on average.
Ladder leader Port Fairy is the next stingiest defence, conceding 56 points on average, while North Warrnambool Eagles is third with 71.