IT was a case of too much skill and run from North Gambier for cross-town rival South Gambier Saturday at Vansittart Park.
The class of the Tigers was on display in the Round 11 Western Border football clash, with the visiting Demons having no answers for the onslaught.
From the opening minutes of the game until the final siren, North was simply too strong, displaying a running game that has served it well for several seasons.
For the under-manned Demons it was a commendable effort at times, with glimpses of what could be expected had injuries and low numbers not thwarted their 2017 hopes.
Despite a strong wind blowing across the ground, the Tigers drew first blood, with the opening major of the game, but the Demons threatened to equalise, with a forward flurry through youngster Kaleb Bowd and Luke Bull.
That was short-lived, as Nick McInerney threaded a pass to the leading Brad Close on the wing, which was subsequently spoiled by a hard-running Connor O’Reilly.
The game appeared to be on in earnest, with Bowd again finding Bull, who drilled a pass into Brayden Kain for a Demons’ set shot.
However, the wind played its part and the result was a minor score.
From there North hit back, pushing out of the danger zone, with Hamish Telford and Sam Stafford combining to find Tom McLennan in the forward 50 for a set shot and another major.
The next few minutes changed the face of the game, with Stafford finding Close, who then centred the ball for a mark and goal to Fraser Marshall, followed soon after by a long running goal to Declan Carmody and the Tigers were up and about.
The Demons managed another push forward, with the ball going to ground in front of a leading Jack Capewell, who turned and kicked for his side’s first of the day.
However, there was nothing stopping the rampaging Tigers, who continued peppering their attacking zone.
Demon Scott Fleming was standing tall on the last line of defence, with Ash and Brad Bryant combining with Bowd to again find Capewell in the clear up forward.
South needed a major score quickly, but his set shot was offline, which North took advantage of, claiming another fast goal to add to the Demons’ woes.
When Close strolled in for an easy major, then a Carmody free kick resulted in another six points, all was looking gloomy for the Demons.
By the first break the margin had blown out to 44 points and it was going to be a long day for the visitors.
With three scoring shots to 12, South needed to regroup at the break, which appeared to happen in the second term.
Both sides managed seven scoring shots for the quarter, but only two were turned into goals for the Demons.
That all changed early in the third term, where the Demons began to chip away at the ever-growing margin.
The Tigers found the first goal, but from there Dion Stratford hit a purple patch, finding multiple goals to stem the tide.
Bowd was instrumental in setting up the opportunities, continuing his impressive day.
When young Alex Harkness chipped into Stratford for another major, the Demons were threatening to come back.
However, North soon responded and with the margin over 60 points at the final break, the Demons were never going to close the Tigers down.
In the end it was a solid display of football which weathered a minor storm to create a comfortable victory.
For the Tigers, Close finished with five goals and McLennan with four, while for the Demons the story was much different, with Stratford the only multiple goal kicker with four.
The result came from the inability of the Demons to deal with the fast-running style the Tigers presented.
The likes of McInerney, Marshall, plus Sam and Brad Stafford were well serviced by Brett Kennedy in the ruck.
That first possession was then finished off well by Close, McLennan, Carmody (3) and Nick Moretti (3).
From the Demons’ point of view the performance of youngsters Bowd and Harkness would have been a highlight, which bodes well going forward.
But for this season the Demons will struggled to make finals football, with Casterton Sandford claiming fourth position on the ladder after a win over third-placed Millicent.
The Demons face the Cats this week, which will be an important game for both sides.
A win will help cement their claim on the post-season and leave nothing to chance.
