Saints go March-ing in: returnees boost mood at Benalla

By James Kleeman

Feb 27, 2022

Up and away: Josh Marchbank, pictured here in 2016, has returned to Benalla for the 2022 season. Photo by Bruce Povey

With more than a month now gone since Benalla issued a desperate call for help — it’s now a much brighter picture at the Saints.

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Not only has a swathe of players thrown up their hands to don the black, white and red this year, a number of volunteers have stepped in to fill committee positions and help out at the club where necessary.

This was evident at a club gathering after training on a recent Friday night according to coach Will Martiniello, who was delighted with the turnout and positivity now fostered among the group.

“We trained last Friday night as a whole club — we had the women’s footy team train with the senior men’s and the netballers as well, that’s something important we’ve been trying to do — just be at one as a club.”

All together now: The Saints’ senior side and the women footballers and netballers at training on Friday night. Photo by Brenden Paddock

A major boost to the mood at Benalla Showgrounds came last week, when the club announced the return of 2015 premiership player Josh Marchbank, who will slot back into the side after several years with Diamond Creek in Northern Football League.

Returnees Brody Webster and Riley Johnson are also set to suit up for the Saints this season, after moves from Whittlesea and Goorambat, with more signings in the pipeline and reportedly set to be announced in coming weeks.

Saints president Lloyd Johnson said Marchbank’s return was sure to inject another level of optimism into the group.

“Josh was one of the ones to say they don’t want to see Benalla struggle, it’s great to have a player of his calibre come back into the group,” Johnson said.

“Brody Webster and Riley Johnson as well, it’s great to have those boys back and willing to help out.”

Martiniello says the vibe around the club is improving on a weekly basis, as he moves in to his first season in the Saints’ coaching role.

“The support’s been really good, we had a great turnout at the barbecue last week and for me personally — it’s been great to have friends and family offer their support.”

He’ll be joined at the coaching helm by long-time Benalla stalwart Mark McKenzie, who Martiniello says has had a huge influence on the group during pre-season.

“Mark’s been great and has been leading training each week, it’s been great working with someone with his experience.”

Martiniello and Johnson would agree, there is still some work to be done before the season curtain-raiser on April 9.

But if one thing is certain, the Saints have a bit more wind back in their sails.