It was a tough old day at the office for Benalla against Mansfield on Saturday.
Despite a respectable opening half that saw the Saints cut the five-point deficit in the first quarter down to four by the main break, that was as close as they came as an elusive Mansfield steamed out to claim a 16.13 (109) to 8.6 (54) win.
But when looking at the stats, which rarely lie, they show Benalla did not bow down completely — and Nick Mellington was at the heart of the fight.
The man with number eight on his back was all class in the midfield, chalking up a team-high 23 disposals while his four clearance-effort was on par with fellow Saint Nicholas Brazil.
Mellington also led the line with inside 50s (six), creating close to a quarter of his side’s total avenues of attack going forward.
But what sets him apart is his keenness put his body on the line.
His intent was clear from the start, with Mellington bursting forward and slotting off the left boot from range to kick his side’s third major of the opening quarter.
He’d go on to kick two more during the fixture, his bag of three only bettered by brother Josh Mellington and Mansfield’s Ben Christopher.
The former Murray Bushrangers skipper also ranks first equal in one-percenters for the league, with a tally of 17 equalled by Tatura revelation Ethan Penrith.
Another standout during the Mansfield clash was James Martiniello, whose 19 touches put him third in Benalla’s standings for ranking points (76).
Martiniello reaches a milestone for the club this weekend, reaching game number 200 for the Saints when lining up against Shepparton United.