An under-strength Inverell Saints outfit have outlasted a determined Moree Suns by 50 points at Taylor Oval Moree on Saturday with Mike Gould booting nine goals for the visitors on his return to the team.
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Missing the likes of Ben Gregory, Toby Tollis, Lachie White, Bailey Gardner, Kyle Payne, Ryan Woolley and Darren Pithers, the 19-man Saints squad had to dig deep to eventually complete their home and away season with a win over the young and speedy Suns.
The home side started well and did all the attacking but failed to capitalise on their early dominance kicking 2.8 for the first quarter while the Saints, with Gould setting up multiple shots on goal for his teammates, headed to the first break up by three points.
Corey Borthwick, returning to the field after a two-year break, kicked the Saints first for the afternoon.
The Saints kicked into gear in the second term with goals to Dallas Baldwin, Luke Selig, Grant Cunningham, Hayden Chappel and a double from Gould setting up a 37 point halftime lead.
To their credit, the Suns kept posing questions to the Saints but they couldn't convert the pressure they applied onto the scoreboard.
Nor could they stop Gould registering another three majors for the third term.
The Saints started to feel the heat during the quarter with Hayden McDonald suffering severe cramp and Ben Ellis limping off with an ankle injury.
Dallas Baldwin twisted his knee and was stretchered off the field during the last quarter.
This left the Saints with 17 fit men who were able to hold off any Suns surges and walk away with a 50 point win.
Mike Gould finished the game with nine goals and his class was clearly the difference between the two sides.
The Club hopes he remains an option in the forward line during the finals as he poses a huge danger to opposition teams.
Luke Selig, Josh Desborough, Justin Pay and Guy Mepham all starred on the day and will enjoy the week off following their tough encounter against the Suns.
The boys will now prepare for possibly a home final against the Tamworth Kangaroos at Varley Oval later this month.
Moree Suns: 2.8-20, 3.12-30, 8.13-61, 10.16-76
Inverell Saints: 3.5-23, 10.7-67, 14.9-93,19.12-126
Goal Kickers: M. Gould 9, L. Selig 3, N. Hughes 3, G. Cunningham 2, D. Baldwin, H. Chappel
Best Players: M. Gould, L. Selig, B. Coles, D. Baldwin, H. Chappel, H. MacDonald
