By DAVID NAGEL
FORMER St Kilda star Stephen Milne brought his extensive bag of tricks to Robert Booth Reserve on Saturday as part of the Hampton Park team that took on Beaconsfield.
Milne, now 35, who kicked 574 goals in 275 games for the Saints, kicked three for the Redbacks on the weekend in his return to the club where he played junior football.
Redbacks’ coach Matt O’Neil was delighted to have Milne on board, if only for a week.
“He was terrific, he kicked three but he probably could have kicked six or seven if he had his kicking boots on, he’s a class act,” O’Neil said.
The Redbacks, who have been cellar-dwellers in recent seasons, now have two weeks off to prepare for a round four trip to Doveton. Encouraging efforts in their first three games has O’Neil excited about his team’s prospects.
“In two of those games we’ve played well for three quarters, but have just let ourselves down with our concentration,” he said. “Our work rate and effort was spot on for three quarters on the weekend, we just need to tidy up our kicking efficiency under pressure and I think we can surprise a few sides.”
There are only two games in the South East Football League on Anzac Day, with Pakenham hosting ROC at 6pm and Cranbourne and Tooradin doing battle at Casey Fields beginning at 7pm.
