IT was a round of Western Border football where the two top sides flexed their muscles and laid claim to a grand final hit-out later in the season.
Both East Gambier and North Gambier were relentless in their attack on Saturday, with Millicent and Casterton Sandford feeling the pressure of top-class competition.
For the Bulldogs it was a matter of working their way into the contest early, then building on that lead to run out convincing winners.
Apart from a short period in the third term, the Saints were never really in the game, with East’s running players too fast and the defence too strong.
Co-coach Matt Willson had one of his best games for the season, while Kev Thomson was solid around the ground, breaking free along the wing and was rewarded with three major scores.
The Saints were simply out-played, but pushed hard, especially in the third term.
For the Cats it was too little, too late, where the Tigers were off to a blinding nine-goal first term at Vansittart Park and never let the visitors back in.
There were some positives for Cats coach Hamish Jarrad to take from the contest, with his side out-scoring the Tigers for the remainder of the contest.
The Cats managed four majors to none in the second term, but again allowed the Tigers to kick away slightly in the third term to remain in a strong position.
While The Border Watch football correspondent Gorden Milosevic gave North’s Hamish Telford the top votes, Cat Josh Stephenson again stood tall for his side, which is a positive as Casterton Sandford chases a finals berth later in the season.
South Gambier was expected to claim the win over the struggling West Gambier at Malseed Park, but somebody forgot to tell the Roos it was a foregone conclusion.
The hosts led at every change, only succumbing to the pressure in the final stanza.
It was there South’s running game came into its own, but according to coach Heath Mitchell it was the young brigade that stood tall, having a solid input to the final result.
Jack Capewell continued his good form, with more than 20 possessions, while up forward Ash Bryant and Brayden Kain finished off the good work to kick clear and claim the honours.
In such a solid weekend of football, the Sportspower Player-of-the-Year weekly honours is a tough choice, but this week it goes to Telford, whose work around the ground for the Tigers helped hold off a tough Cats outfit.
East Gambier v Millicent
(Trevor Jackson)
3. Kevin Thomson (East Gambier): Moved the ball forward with intent and found three major scores along the way.
2. Matt McCallum (East Gambier): Found plenty of possessions and finished off well with three goals.
1. Jayden Eldridge (East Gambier): Another solid effort from the Bulldogs’ backman.
North Gambier v Casterton Sandford
(Gorden Milosevic)
3. Hamish Telford (North Gambier): Consistent play-maker who distributed the ball to team mates advantage.
2. Brad Close (North Gambier): Played the roaming forward role to perfection while displaying his silky skills.
1. Josh Stephenson (Casterton Sandford): Effective contributor offensively and defensively.
West Gambier v South Gambier
3. Jack Capewell (South Gambier): A huge possession winner around the ground for the Demons.
2. Ash Bryant (South Gambier): His usual reliable game up forward, breaking the defensive lines with an inspiring goal when the game was on the line.
1. Steve Wenman (West Gambier): Led his team by example with two major scores, almost guiding the Roos to their second win of the season, but falling just short.
