GVL Data | Benalla displays clearance cleanliness against Tatura

By Cameron Burt

Aug 27, 2024

Benalla’s James Martiniello was important for the Saints during their final-round win over Tatura. Photo by Megan Fisher

On the last day of the 2025 Goulburn Valley League season, the Saints reigned supreme, ending the day as victors to the tune of 24 points. Although a horrendously inaccurate Tatura was largely to blame itself, Benalla’s midfield dominance was able to give us another dominant showing.

Three of the top four players emerged from the Saints centre circles all day. Mark Marriott, Christopher Welsh and James Martiniello were everywhere, with the star ruckman getting his ball users first look at the pill often.

Marriott again raked in a ridiculous game high, and weekly GVL best 206 ranking points against the Bulldogs.

With his 32 disposals, including 26 contested, nine clearances, nine marks, and two goals, Marriott is proving himself to be among the premier ruckman of the GVL.

Not far behind the pace was Chris Welsh, amassing a game-high 37 disposals, along with eight clearances and six inside 50s.

Tatura was able to win quite a few telling midfield statistics, but it was the cleanliness in stoppage exit that was able to set Benalla apart from its opponents.

Tatura’s muddied and rushed exits lead to a 2.7 (19) return from stoppages throughout the picture-perfect day, while Benalla was able to see 6.2 (38) on its end. More specifically, Marriott’s ability to get around the ground gave Benalla a distinct advantage at throw-ins.

Benalla was able to find 4.2 (26) directly from throw in stoppages, whereas Tatura struggled to get anything going from the boundary line, amassing nothing more than 0.3 (3).

It’s very hard to assume one statistic as the deciding factor, but a 23-point disparity in scores from throw-ins in a 24-point game might be as close as it gets.

The midfield for Benalla really is something special, and the first step into moving towards a finals series. With some help up the spine and around the ground, retaining the likes of Marriott, Welsh and Martiniello for the 2025 season, Benalla already has the foundations to success.