Saints use Devine intervention to exorcise Boston Demons

Boston Demons ‘A’ 5.7 (37)
Québec Saints 25.13 (163)
Goals: Saints: Darrin Haverhoek 6,

Best Players: Haverhoek, Lacy, A.Legault.

Match Summary:
The Saints travelled south over the border to take on the Boston Demons ‘A’ as a curtain raiser to the Demons v Nashville Kangaroos exhibition match last Saturday. Former Saint and 2009 premiership player PJ Devine, now living and playing footy in Boston gladly accepted the opportunity to pull the bleu et blanc jersey one more time against his new teammates.

The Saints had no idea what to expect from the Demons. Coach Anderson instructed his players to keep it simple and use the opportunity to back themselves in the one on one contests. In temperatures hovering above 30 degrees playing without an interchange was going to be a tough task. Captain for the day Margo Legault won the toss and elected to kick toward the end with the slight breeze.

Mick Lacy took on ruck duties in this first term supported by a midfield cast including Haverhoek, Lagace and Aimee Legault. Lacy, who turned in a stellar performance when thrown into the ruck in the ’09 OAFL Division 2 Grand Final showed he was more than able to handle the position. He dominated the hit-outs over his much taller opponent and gave the running brigade first use of the ball. Havehoek immediately stamped his authority on the game. Centre clearance after centre clearance along with numerous contested possessions helped the Saints register the first two goals of the match. Aimee Legault began working her way into the match racking up a swag of possessions herself and before long the Saints had stormed away to a five goal break. The shell-shocked Demons eventually worked the ball into their scoring zone but PJ Devine played his familiar role of saviour on the last line defence, once again thwarting any chance of the Demons scoring. Chris Lagace would provide another deadly weapon across the midfield and incredibly the Saints would leave the field at the quarter time break leading by 62 points, 9.8 (62) to 0.0 (0).

The Demons changed their line up for the second term in an attempt to breathe life back into the game. Their bench was also increasing, and in the sweltering conditions the 8 players on the side lines would give them a huge advantage over the Saints squad required to run out the entire match. Anderson had been moved into the ruck for the second term along with Kyle Graham into the midfield. Again the Saints won first possession, this time however the Demons backs were working well together and using the breeze the Demons managed to finally register a goal on the board. The Saints responded swiftly with one of their own. The match tightening up in the quarter although on the back of Haverhoek’s continued good work in the centre and Graham’s ability to win the contested ball the Saints continued on their way. Barker beginning to cause headaches for the Demons backmen while Devine was continually rebounding the Demons attempts on goal. The Saints well over tem goals in front at half time.

PJ Devine was moved up forward for the second half and Lacy returned to the ruck duties. The Demons had added a host of their top line players to the game and immediately they made an impact. For a five minute period the Demons completely controlled the play. Wasteful kicking in front of goal prevented them from gaining much back on the scoreboard. Just as it looked as if the Demons new look line-up would make a second half charge the Saints readjusted, shut down the Demons running players and returned to the job of piling goals onto the scoreboard. Sensational goals to Barker and PJ Devine complemented Margo Legault’s superb second half as the Saints #41 carved up her opponents booting a few goals of her own. The Saints running out impressive 127 point victors.