A 100-point loss, a missed opportunity for a win at home (which resulted in a draw) and a mix of luck with injuries and suspension have left the Saints sitting in 11th place on the ladder with a percentage of 42.35.
From an outsider’s perspective, it doesn’t appear to be the start to Jarrad Waite’s coaching tenure that he would have wanted heading into the season.
But the former AFL footballer has found one Saint whose halo is shining bright, off-season recruit and big, bustling ruckman Mark Marriott.
Across the first three games of the season, Marriott has averaged 20 disposals, 14.7 contested possessions, 5.3 clearances, 6.7 tackles, 5.7 score involvements and 42 hitouts per game.
This form has had a serious impact on Benalla through the middle of the ground, with the Saints winning the clearance battle in all three of their matches — 34-31 against Rochester, 38-36 against Mooroopna and 35-21 against Shepparton United.
Suppose the Saints can learn to convert the ruck and centre clearance dominance that Marriott provides into clean and direct possessions going inside 50.
In that case, Benalla will fast become a far more intimidating proposition for opponents.
But the Benalla big man isn’t just a clubhouse leader; Marriott currently ranks third in the league for total hitouts (127) and hitouts to advantage (25), trailing only to Shepparton’s Ash Holland and Tatura’s Jacob Simpson.
Marriott also ranks fifth in GVL Data’s ranking points system and would likely be in third if not for the fact that Brett and Harry Mahoney have played an extra game with Mansfield.
Mark Marriott’s 2024 season so far
Per game averages
Disposals: 20
Contested possessions: 14.7
Clearances: 5.3
Hitouts: 42.3
Hitouts to advantage: 8.3
Tackles: 6.7
Score involvements: 5.7
League rankings
Ranking points: Fifth (420)
Hitouts: Third (127)
Hitouts to advantage: Third (25)
Marriott’s dominance in the centre circle was ironically on display during Benalla’s heavy 102-point loss to Mooroopna in round two.
Despite the Cats controlling the stats in the majority of key areas, the Saints still won the clearances 38-36, including centre clearances 16-9 and hitouts to advantage 12-5.
Personally, Marriott was also a physical, contested beast around the pill, finishing the game with 18 touches (14 contested), six marks (four contested), eight score involvements (out of 12 scores), five tackles, six clearances and two goals.
Next up for Marriott and his teammates is a visit to Mansfield as the Saints hunt for their first victory of the season.
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