DESPITE deteriorating playing conditions, Western Border Football League premiership favourite North Gambier still constructed another impressive scoreline of 19.12 (126) while restricting a wooden spoon bound West Gambier to 6.5 (41) at Vansittart Park on Saturday.
While the Kangaroos had to once again work around a depleted seasoned senior playing list featuring slightly built novices, the Tigers’ even spread of experienced combatants allowed them to maintain game control.
Reflecting their personnel depth, the reigning premiers, even though without regulars Brock Egan, Mayson Ashby and Dylan Munn, were still able to post a fourth-highest season tally in the testing conditions while including debutants Sam Shepherd and Sam Bruhn.
Looking forward to the finals series it was also interesting to note the bonus return of the Tigers’ multi-talented impact player Matt McInerney in the Reserves game after a cricket season in England.
West was bolstered by the return of much needed big man Alex Hentschke and introduced senior colt Jett Attard for his first taste at the higher level.
With the aid of a strong gusty wind North quickly controlled possession of the yellow ball and stamped its expected authority on proceedings, with two goals apiece to Declan Carmody, Fraser Marshall and Tom McLennan.
North’s defensive unit led by Tim McInerney repelled the spasmodic advances of West and it took Kangaroo opportunist Josh Schapel’s late running long bomb goal to rekindle some team spirit.
Facing a six-goal hurdle, the Kangaroos to their credit regrouped to defy the all too familiar scenario that was unfolding, to hit back with the first three goals of the second term, including two inspiring strikes by robust Dale Robbins.
The visitors promising response to the Tigers dominance featured the effective input of Aden Pfitzner, Tom Zeitz, Lawrence Bradley-Brown and Kyle Giddings.
The Tigers responded to the Kangaroos challenge by increasing their collective work rate, which reaped the next four goals to enjoy a 44-point buffer at halftime.
With the lights on and steady rain persisting, the Tigers produced a trademark team load sharing second half to outclass and outscore the Kangaroos eight goals to two.
During this time skilled Tiger teenager Declan Carmody extended his impressive goal tally to seven via the ball supply provided by the likes of midfielders Fraser Marshall, Josh Jenner, Tom Edwards and Leigh Symons.
“Two players made their senior debut in Sam Shepherd and Sam Bruhn and made an impression on the game and their teammates,” North coach Winis Imbi pointed out.
“Our reserves also had a fantastic win, with a lot of players putting their hand up for senior selection.
“As a coaching staff we were extremely proud of our entire playing list.
“Overall we are pleased with the method in which we played today, as against East we felt that we dropped away from several key areas.
“We identified that during the week, the boys trained with purpose, and then to the playing group’s credit they executed it today.
“West have got some talented young kids and some quality players so we were never going to take them lightly.
“We felt like we defended well without the ball and that our structures improved around the stoppages, which enabled us to generate a lot of forward 50 entries.
“The players also adapted well to the wet and windy conditions, whether that be ball movement or contested ball.
“Their intent at the footy and the ball carrier was there from start to finish as well as the desire to apply pressure.
“Obviously we had a lot of players perform to high standard as well, but the side’s synergy is also building, especially in each line.
“Again, our players must be congratulated on this because they are working hard to get the best out of themselves and each other.
“Although we won, we know there’s still a lot of work to do and we will look forward to the test that Casterton/Sandford will provide on their home turf.”
West coach Steve Wenman said after North jumped out of the gates using the wind advantage in the first quarter, it was catch-up footy from there.
“We played some better footy in the second quarter, but not being able to close any gap on the score board,” he said.
“Jett Attard across the half forward line in his first senior game was super impressive and lifted everyone with his continued attack on the footy.
“North constantly beat us around the ground in contested ball, giving their runners first use.
“Carmody and Close up forward are class acts for kids while McLennan gives them a focal point.
“The second half was much more of the same on the scoreboard, but we were happy to fight out a game against the league’s best team.
“Aden Pfitzner on a wing attacked the ball and ran straight lines and our midfield battled it out all day against a team that has much more depth running over the ground.
“North are a well-drilled team who execute their plan to perfection and will be hard to beat.”
West tackles South Gambier next round and will be striving for a second win in a lean and testing season.
