Only three sides – North Warrnambool Eagles, Terang Mortlake and decider opponent Camperdown – had the Saints’ measure in 2018.

The Saints won their first nine matches before suffering a shock one-point loss to the bottom-placed Eagles in round 10.

They recovered to win their next five before stumbling to a two-point loss to Terang Mortlake – another side out of finals contention – in round 17.

The Magpies – a team they’d beaten twice convincingly during the home and away season – scored an inspired 20-point second semi-final win, forcing the Saints to book their spot via the preliminary final.

The Standard casts an eye over the Saints’ season.

Result: Defeated North Warrnambool Eagles 90-41

Ladder position: First

Four unanswered goals in the final term proved the difference.

Result: Defeated Hamilton Kangaroos 101-55

Ladder position: First

Endured a goalless first term but kicked 14 goals in the final three quarters to win easily.

Result: Defeated South Warrnambool 116-41 (on Good Friday prior to round one)

Ladder position: First

No premiership hangover for the Saints. Four goals down at quarter-time and three points in arrears at the main break before piling on 12 goals to one in a second-half demolition. 

Result: Defeated Cobden 79-53

Ladder position: First

Forced to work hard for a gritty win.

Result: Defeated Portland 119-61

Ladder position: First

Jarrod Korewha’s emergence as a leading forward continued with six majors.

Result: Defeated Camperdown 98-41

Ladder position: First

Kept the Magpies to one goal to half-time.

Result: Defeated Port Fairy 69-57

Ladder position: First

Ruckman recruit Daniel Roache kicked four goals in a low-scoring, topsy-turvy grand final rematch.

Result: Defeated Warrnambool 90-67

Ladder position: First

All tied up at the final break before the Saints’ well-known fitness came into play. Teenager Todd White named best on ground.

Result: Defeated Terang Mortlake 50-35

Ladder position: First

Kept the Bloods goalless in three quarters.

Result: Lost to North Warrnambool Eagles 74-73

Ladder position: First

Boilover as a late comeback fell short. Saints were down 29 points at the final break as the Eagles won their first game of the year.

Result: Defeated Hamilton Kangaroos 101-26

Ladder position: First

Responded emphatically with Korewha kicking eight goals.

Result: Defeated South Warrnambool 66-50

Ladder position: First

Scores were level at three-quarter-time before kicking two unanswered goals in the fourth quarter to edge home.

Result: Defeated Cobden 150-31

Ladder position: First

Fourteen goals between Korewha (six), Jeremy Hausler (four) and Tim McIntyre (four) showed off their offensive strengths.

Result: Defeated Portland 184-23

Ladder position: First

Showed no mercy against the Tigers with Korewha (11 goals) and McIntyre (seven) doing the damage.

Result: Defeated Camperdown 105-25

Ladder position: First

Defensively strangled the Pies, keeping them goalless to half-time and to three for the match.

Result: Defeated Port Fairy 61-26

Ladder position: First

A bit of Will Couch final-term magic separated the two sides on a wet day.

Result: Lost to Terang Mortlake 30-28

Ladder position: First

Korewha concussed in a shock defeat. Blood Chris Bant copped a three-week ban.

Result: Defeated Warrnambool 134-72

Ladder position: First

McIntyre kicked six but midfielder Taylor Mulraney injured his shoulder, casting a cloud over his finals campaign.

Result: Lost to Camperdown 64-44

Got the fast start and looked in command at quarter-time before the Magpies rallied. Saints led by a goal at three-quarter-time but conceded four unanswered goals to fall short.

Result: Defeated Port Fairy 49-43

The howling wind was a major factor. Had the class when required with veterans Damian O’Connor and Ben Goodall enormous.

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