WESTERN Border Football League ladder leader North Gambier held out a persistent Millicent to record a regulation 30-point victory at Vansittart Park with the finals series on the horizon.
On a surface that came up surprisingly well considering recent rains and in sunny conditions, the Tigers trademark quick movement and skilful ball sharing game style allowed them to maintain game control.
In contrast Millicent, which contested valiantly throughout, was too often slow to create rapid movement away from hard-won stoppages which allowed the Tigers’ runners to congest down field space.
North had to cover the absence of injured trio Brad Close, Dylan Munn and Brett Kennedy – who has his left arm in plaster and faces a race against time to be clear for the second semi-final in three weeks time.
It was interesting to note dangerous game-buster Nick Moretti was relegated to the Reserves clash where he recaptured form with seven goals.
Versatile Tiger Nick Blachut speared the opening goal within the first minute of play which was followed up with strikes by rotating midfielders Fraser Marshall and Leigh Symons as the Tigers threatened to create a familiar blowout early.
The Saints responded to the danger with a lift in collective work rate and two midterm goals by Saints “everywhere” big man Dylan Bromley kept them in touch.
This was countered by a classic accurate snap from Tiger Matt McInerney and then a marked set shot from tall Tom McLennan created a handy 17-point buffer at the first break.
The second term unfolded as a struggle for clean possession and smooth forward zone penetration as the Saints displayed discipline to lock down their Tiger opponents.
The resultant stop-start congested packs led to frequent pressured disposals into each teams forward zone, which allowed defenders to restrict goal scoring for the quarter to two apiece.
With a half to play the game was still alive as a contest, but North playmakers Hamish Telford, Brock Egan and Fraser Marshall emerged as leaders to break the deadlock which generated superior forward 50 entries.
North capitalised on these repetitive thrusts with six goals for the third term to the Saints hard earned three which saw them facing a game high deficit of 36 points at the final changeover.
Late in this term the uncharacteristic expulsion of veteran defender Steve Duldig compliments of a yellow card issued for incidental contact in a marking contest added to the visitors scoreboard hurdle.
The final quarter surprisingly bucked the previous game trend and provided some of the best free flowing play for the game featuring an entertaining mini “shootout” with Millicent taking the honours four goals to three.
“Our players responded well to the reviews done after last week which says a lot about their character and our leadership group must also take a lot of credit for it as well as we had the majority of them make positive contributions towards the end result of the game,” North coach Winis Imbi said.
“Against Millicent we didn’t have the game all our way, which is a credit to the work Clint Gallio is doing with his club as their pressure and structures made us have to defend well and attack with purpose.
“There were obviously lapses in what we were trying to do, but on the whole the coaching staff were pleased with the mindset of the playing group and we were much more functional in key areas of our game.”
Millicent coach Clint Gallio said he was pleased with the pressure his team applied and their ability to stay in the contest for most of the game.
“Obviously losing is not what you want but the way we played our footy was a step forward for us as we were able to win the ball in close and get the ball over the back of the North defenders into an open 50.”
“When North threw the challenge back at us I was wrapped with my boys to be able to stay in the game where in the past we potentially could’ve laid down and the scoreline could’ve been much, much worse.”
“It wasn’t quite the perfect four quarter performance we were after but it was good that a few boys are finding some form with a week to go and then a final.”
Gallio was full of praise for the efforts of hardworking on baller Lyndon Smith, goal-kicking forward/ruckman Dylan Bromley and defender Brady Gibbs who restricted Tiger dynamo Declan Carmody to one goal.
Next Saturday North complete the minor round versus South at Blue Lake Sports Park, while Millicent head to Casterton for a rehearsal of the cut-throat first semi-final.
