Three hundred and fifteen days.
That’s how long it had been since Benalla could last belt out its song.
The 2024 Goulburn Valley League season has been a long grind for Jarrad Waite and his Saints, with Benalla having an average losing margin of 71.88 points across its first eight matches.
The Saints’ most likely chance for a victory came in round three when they hosted Shepparton United; however, the result was a draw, 60-60.
Fans and pundits across the Goulburn Valley were quick to brandish that opportunity as possibly Benalla’s one chance to claim a scalp this season.
In the Saints’ round eight match against Echuca, Benalla was in the game at half time (trailing 43-27) before a second-half Murray Bomber blitz gave the Saints their third hundred-point loss for the season.
At quarter time of Saturday’s round nine match against the Shepparton Swans, all signs pointed to another Benalla bust-up.
The Swans led by 28 points (43-15) at the first break, with the Saints seeming destined for another week of pain.
However, following quarter time, Benalla came out of the huddle like a rocket, outscoring the Swans 40-9 in the second term.
After halftime, the match descended into an arm wrestle, with Benalla walking away - thanks to a late Jarrad Waite goal - with a three-point win to claim its first victory of the season.
But what was the catalyst for the Saints’ miracle turnaround?
Looking at the GVL Data algorithm, there don’t seem to be outliers among the key statistics, except for one area...pressure.
Benalla’s intensity and pressure throughout the match seemed to be the key to the Saints’ maiden win.
Waite’s side led the Swans in pressure acts (64-40), chases (31-21) and tackles (82-71).
The Saints were also dogged in their defensive pressure and led back 50 tackles 23-13, despite the Swans only leading the inside 50 count by three (49-36).
Benalla’s rise in pressure wasn’t due to the Swans dominating across the ground, with the possession count close (309-318).
The total clearances were split evenly (45-45) and the Saints led in contested possessions (167-159), further demonstrating their intensity and willingness to win the football.
Benalla’s pressure wins against Shepparton Swans
Overall pressure: 178 - 135
Pressure acts: 64 - 40
Chases: 31 - 21
Tackles: 82 - 71
Back 50 tackles: 23 - 13
Midfield tackles: 51 - 48
Reflecting on his side’s impressive comeback win, Benalla player-coach Waite was pleased for his team to finally see the fruits of their labour after working hard without reward week-in-week-out.
“We can see the improvement and where we are trying to get to, but sometimes that doesn’t come out on the field,” Waite said.
“We had a really good half against Echuca last week and then we went down by as much as we can.
“We were in a similar situation against United, but we ended up drawing that one, so we have learned from those mistakes and managed to get the win this week.
“It’s good for the club and the players to finally get a win and see some of their hard work pay off.”