NORTH Gambier gave Millicent a football lesson at McLaughlin Park on Saturday when it recorded an 87-point victory over the Saints in Round 10 of Western Border football.
The home side were never in the race as the Tigers swamped the opposition in the opening term, scoring 8.4 to nil and never allowed them back in the match.
It was one-way traffic for three quarters as North dominated all over the ground, holding a 103 point lead at the final change.
It was a matter of how much North would win by, but to Millicent’s credit it managed to save some face in the final quarter as they outscored the visitors – four goals to two – with the final scoreline being 20.10 to 5.13.
The writing was on the wall from the first bounce, with Bradley Close scoring the opening goal – as the result of a free given down the ground – within the first three minutes.
It was a procession thereafter, with more majors coming from Fraser Marshall, Tom Edwards and Sam Stafford before the Saints gained their first entry into their attacking 50 with over 15 minutes gone on the clock.
The visitors dominated the centre clearances, led by ruckman Brett Kennedy who gave his onballers – Marshall, Nick McInerney, Brock Egan and Close – first use of the ball.
Steve Duldig, James Weir and Dylan Tincknell battled against the odds in the Saints’ defensive area as North was continuously in attack.
Any turnover they could gain was cut off further up the ground as their forwards could not take advantage of their chances, so much so Millicent was held scoreless in the opening term.
The North onslaught continued in the second term as they added another 7.2 to the home side’s five points.
Declan Carmody showed why he is being cited as one of the best youngsters in the league as he booted two goals late in the term, one resulting from the mark-of-the day over a pack in the goal square.
The Saints showed improvement on their first term form as they managed to gain forward possessions, but poor kicking at goal cost them dearly.
A half-time roasting by injured Saints’ coach Clint Gallio paid dividends in the third term as his players showed more endeavour, only allowing the opposition to add another 3.3 while they scored 1.3.
Their opening major came from Hamish Nitschke at the 20-minute mark of the term.
With a lead of 103 points at the last change the Tigers were in no danger of defeat with gaining percentage points being their only aim.
This may have caused them to relax as the Saints played their best football of the day to outscore their opponents.
At the final siren the Tigers had scored 20.10 to 5.13, with 12 of their players among the goal-kickers, led by Carmody, Sam Stafford and Tom McLennan with three each.
The North coaching staff would have to be more than happy with the brand of team football they played, with winners all over the ground.
In their first meeting earlier in the year at Vansittart Park the Saints over-ran them in the final term to claim the win by eight points, but this time around it was a different story, so the victory was sweet revenge.
The Saints were disappointing and are now in danger of dropping out of the race for a finals’ spot.
Their next game against an improved Casterton-Stanford at McLaughlin Park is now a must win if they are to hold their position in the top four.
Millicent keep introducing youngsters into their senior side with the latest being under-age player Jack Verbena who showed he is more than capable of stepping up into the seniors.
He is the son of Saints’ veteran, Renato Verbena.
