MYRTLEFORD opened up a one-game buffer inside the top five on the senior ladder after hammering a struggling Wodonga Raiders 19.7 (121) to 7.5 (47).

A tense opening term gave way to a more free-flowing second term, which saw the Saints hammer on seven goals straight to Raiders’ single major to open up a 35-point lead by the half.

From there, Myrtleford was able to control the flow of the game and were never in doubt.

Defensively, the Saints were on song, only conceding three goals through the second half, while the forwards went to work, kicking Myrtleford’s joint-highest total this season.

Coach Craig Millar said it was a comprehensive performance from his charges.

“By the midpoint of the first quarter, they were a couple of goals up, but we were disciplined enough to draw level at quarter time, and we made it hard for them to score,” he said.

“I felt like after the midpoint of the first quarter, we were able to score when we had our opportunities to score, but more importantly defend and make it really hard for them to score – it allowed us to build scoreboard pressure and before you know it the result got out to what it did.

“We had some really good consistent individual performances, it was such a different looking team to what it was last week, and those players that came back in were welcome additions and had a huge impact.”

Riley Smith (25 hitouts, 17 disposals), Jaxon East (30 disposals) and Simon Curtis (26 disposals) continued their incredible run of form, while Lachlan Murphy-Dale booted four goals in his first match since round two, when he sustained a broken jaw.

“The one thing we know is he kicks goals, he’s averaged two or three goals in most games his whole career,” Millar said of Murphy-Dale.

“He does bring the ability to score, he just adds a different dimension and layer to your front half of the ground.

“While he was a bit fumbly at times after not playing for eight weeks, once the second half came along I think that’s when he was the most dangerous.”

The Saints meet Lavington this weekend in what will be one of the biggest matches of the season for the tricolours.

The Panthers hammered Myrtleford when they last met in round two, and Millar said Lavington would be a tough opponent to handle.

“They’ve the form team in the competition at the moment – I know Rovers are sitting on top of the ladder, but in terms of form and how they’ve been playing, Lavington are in outstanding form,” he said.

“It’s going to take our very best to be competitive with them after we were really disappointed in the way we played them in round two.

“It’s going to be a tough game, but we look forward to the challenge of playing the best team knowing we’re starting to hit a bit of good form ourselves.”

In other matches from the weekend, the reserves cruised to a 122-point win, 24.10 (154) to 5.2 (32), while the thirds picked up their first win of the season in a thriller, 9.5 (59) to 8.10 (58).

The Saints head to the Lavington Sports Ground to take on the Panthers this Saturday, 28 June.