Bairnsdale senior coach Logan Austin thought last Saturday’s sensational victory over arch nemesis Sale was probably the most complete performance in his three-year reign as coach.
The ex-AFL player who accumulated 20 games with St Kilda and Port Adelaide stopped short of labelling it the biggest win in his tenure, but rated it on a par with last year’s backs-to-the-wall win over Traralgon on the road.
“To kick 17 goals in those conditions was impressive, we were all over them from the start, the third quarter was simply amazing,” Austin said.
The Redlegs went inside their 50 metre arc 18 times to four in the action packed third quarter, kicking eight goals to one as steady rain fell in slippery conditions.
“They are the number one clearance team and inside 50 side in the competition. We rate our midfield and apart from a period in time on in the first quarter, we controlled the game,” Austin said.
The win has seen Bairnsdale leapfrog Sale into fifth place on the ladder in a very hotly contested season.
The Redlegs face tough matches against sides currently above them on the table in the next couple of weeks.
The Maroons at Traralgon and Morwell at home both loom as crunch games for the red-hot Redlegs, but Austin is backing his boys to get over the line.
“I think we are playing as good a football as anyone. We challenged Leongatha for 70 per cent of the match” he said.
“Obviously we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but we need to finish this block of six off strongly – Traralgon, Morwell and Drouin. We pushed Traralgon last time, we have improved. I’m not scared of anyone, this group is going places.”
The coach again led from the front, picking up 26 disposals across half back, combining well with Hugh Longbottom, Randall Stewart, Kieran Vickery and Ricky Tatnell.
