REIGNING premiers North Gambier set up its seventh win for the season with a dominant first term in which they totally outclassed Casterton/Sandford to blast nine goals to one at Vansittart Park.
While the Tigers went on to post a regulation 32-point victory, the Cats effort in recovering from a demoralising start to outscore the home side 8.8 to 5.10 after quarter time was full of merit.
Casterton Sandford would have entered the contest believing it could challenge North after only falling short by two points at Island Park in Round 4, but the Tigers eroded that confidence early with a copy book display of cohesive team football.
From the first ball-up the well drilled Tigers totally controlled the flow of play as the besieged Cats struggled to gain the ball, let alone retain possession due to the collective superior ball gathering and disposal skills of their opponents.
North’s dominance featured a slick on ball brigade led by Hamish Telford, a rebounding defence marshalled by Tim McInerney as well as potent strikers Brad Close (two goals) and Tom McLennan (three goals).
Facing a 48-point deficit and after a heated quarter time dressing down by coach Hamish Jarrad, the Cats showed genuine grit and determination in the second term to post 4.1, while restricting the now stagnant Tigers to just three points.
The second half developed into a dour struggle, with North’s superior team-wide disposal skills allowing them to control the tempo of play when under pressure, while reaping a 5.7 return to the Cats 4.7 on the scoreboard.
I have seen the Cats on three occasions this season and except for final term fade-outs against South Gambier and East Gambier, along with this opening term capitulation against North, their best brand of football warrants a shot at finals action.
Moving forward the Cats have to settle on where to best position/utilise the size and ability of key trio Dylan Ayton, Michael Cummings and Trent Nesbitt, depending on opponent match-ups and game situation.
This, along with the further development and effectiveness of promising rookies Tynan Shannon, Ben Guthrie, Jackson Gibbs and James Boulton, will have a direct bearing on the Cats win/loss ratio in the remaining games.
“We were Jekyll and Hyde as we played some of the best football we’ve ever played in my tenure at the club against a quality opposition,” Tigers coach Winis Imbi said.
“We did a lot right in the stoppages, with our ball movement, our pressure at the source, our ability to defend and then counterattack, but unfortunately we didn’t replicate that in the second quarter and then we showed glimpses of it in the third and fourth.
“In reflection we can’t expect utopia even though we strive for it.
“That’s why we are happy with the win.”
“I guess when you stop enjoying winning, it’s time to step away.
“We know that we have a lot of work still to do and we know what happens when we lose focus.
“However, the coaching staff are excited by our level of growth from the side and our players desire to be better.
“We cannot question their commitment.
“That’s why we didn’t give the boys a roast at half time, because we know they are invested, and we know they give effort.
“It’s just about getting them to apply the process continuously and sustain it for as long as they can.
We will enjoy the break and use it as a time to rejuvenate the mind and body.
“We’ll also use it as a time to reflect and review the season to date before we travel down the road to take on another quality side in Millicent.”
Cats coach Hamish Jarrad praised the work of his opposition.
“All credit to North Gambier as they really set themselves to come at us in the first quarter and we didn’t stand up,’ he said.
“They beat us inside the contest, which is disappointing as that’s something we pride ourselves on as a team.
“Once they won the footy inside they ran offensively with purpose and moved the ball really well.
“They’re a really well drilled team and in my opinion clearly the benchmark in the competition.
“I was also disappointed with some of our fundamental skill errors and decision making under pressure.
“I was really proud of our group in how we responded after quarter time.
“I think in the last three quarters we managed to get the game played the way we wanted it played.”
