It may have been slightly later than previously hoped for, but the Millicent Saints have finally marched to victory in the 2022 Veolia Limestone Coast Women’s Football League.

After eight long weeks and many bruising encounters the Saints sung the song with gusto following their huge 10-goal win over Kalangadoo.

Millicent coach Mark Gronn has stood alongside his team every step of the way jumping on board at the start of the 2022 season and could understate how much the win meant to the players.

“We have had some very big losses throughout the season, so to actually just lead heading into the third quarter was brilliant,” he said.

“The girls were over the moon and the leadership group really stood up which was fantastic.”

Having only scored 19 points for the entire season before the weekend and not troubling the scorers once in four of their last five games, Millicent made a mighty effort to blast 75 on the board on Sunday.

Coming up against another winless team in Kalangadoo, there was just as much anticipation and desperation surrounding the fixture.

The contest loomed as both sides grand final being their most likely shot at glory with only two rounds left in the season.

With neither side keen on the prospect of being handed the wooden spoon, the battle for possession was fierce during the early stages.

Backed by the home crowd, the Pies started strong, but could not convert their chances on the scoreboard, while Millicent kicked two goals straight.

Although Emily Cooney handed Kalangadoo its first major in the second term, the Saints made their move and there was not stopping them.

The likes of Bailey Levison, Lauren Potter and Laura Chester ran riot and the Pies had no answers.

Millicent dominated the final three quarters and scored like there was no tomorrow, kicking 10 goals to two during the passage of play.

“It was a good hit out during the first quarter because Kalangadoo took it right up to us,” Gronn said.

“It was hot and it really just came down to the second half of the game where we were a bit fitter.

“It has been something that let us down during the season, but it was really good this time.

“Lauren Potter and Laura Chester were great, but especially the whole backline.

“They get hammered every week, so it was so nice to see them not get hammered.

“We just wanted to run and the girls had to play different sorts of roles this week and they executed it fantastically.”

The Saints have suffered many heavy defeats throughout the season, including a 207-point smashing by ladder-leader South Gambier.

Gronn admitted it had been a tough journey to the first win, especially being a first-year coach in the Limestone Coast Women’s Football League.

“We had not changed anything, we have just been working with the girls and it all clicked and started to work which was great,” he said.

“There have been a lot of lessons along the way.

“In the past I have only worked with very experienced footballers, so I had to reassess the way I was coaching to get across things like how to execute and play football.

“There were a lot of things that needed improving, but its coming along.”

Despite the battles, Gronn said his playing group stayed strong.

“The girls still turned up every week,” he said.

“Even when they were getting hammered, they still fought right until the end and never dropped their bundle.

“They have been training twice a week which has been fantastic and has kept me coming back.

“Sometimes I have asked ‘am I doing the right thing’ but they keep turning up, which is great to see.”

Although another tough encounter against premiership contender Penola looms ahead in the final round, Gronn said the breakthrough win will do wonders to his playing group’s belief.

“We can just take that confidence into future games now,” he said.

“It will be interesting to see how we go this weekend because Penola have been playing some very good football.

“I have been lucky enough to watch them over the last few weeks, which might help, but it will be a good test.”