WBFL: Roos finish on a high

West v East Gambier Football & Netball
TOUGH CONTEST: A stifling defensive effort saw West Gambier claim the points over East Gambier at Malseed Park on Saturday, in the final minor round of Western Border football. Picture: FRANK MONGER

WITH little riding on the final minor round of Western Border football, the chance was there for West Gambier to finish a tough season on a high.

Up against the might of East Gambier, it was always going to be a tough call, but on the day the bottom-placed underdogs prevailed over the second-placed Bulldogs, sneaking home by just three points in a thrilling contest.

Much of that was set up in the first term, with a lightning start seeing the Roos out to an 11-point lead thanks to three straight majors, while holding the Bulldogs to just two scoring shots for a seven-point total.

It was a plan coach Steve Wenman hatched prior to the kick off.

“We have had nothing to lose for a while,” he said.

“The boys knew they would have a challenge on their hands playing East and I think they were up for it.

“They were really keen and thriving for a contest.

“It meant nothing to both teams really, but it was good to see them up and running in the first five or 10 minutes.

“I knew straight away we might have had the jump on East.”

The game panned out with centre clearances through the ruck work of Todd Lewis, with the likes of Sam Zeitz and Lawrie Bradley-Brown finding space and delivering the ball forward.

“Lawrie Bradley-Brown had a ripping first quarter,” Wenman said.

“He was getting a lot of clearances.

“Him and Sam Zietz have been working together pretty well.

“Sam is probably playing the best footy I have seen him play for a couple of years.

“He will go a long way to winning our best and fairest.”

After running hard for three quarters, West held a 21-point advantage heading into the final stanza.

But it was always going to be tough to hold the Bulldogs at bay, with their final quarters this season showing they have plenty of run late in games.

That, combined with injury concerns, saw Wenman change his structure and game plan.

In the end it was enough to claim the points, but only by a small margin.

“The last quarter we had a few injuries so had to make a few adjustments to our structure and our matchups,” Wenman said.

“We went really small up forward and I moved to centre-half-back.

“Lewis Lean was injured, but had done a job on Rumbelow early.

“That probably took a bit of a focus up forward away.

“We played Josh Schapel up forward, with Dale Robbins and Jett Attard – none of them would be over six foot – but the guys held on.”

While the changes made scoring a tough prospect, Wenman said desperate acts helped the side remain in front at the final siren.

“We knew we had nothing lose,” he said.

“Jake Blackwell smothered a ball at the top of their goal square that was a certain goal – he just threw himself at the ball.

“Liam Beckman intercepted a ball running back with the pack.

“It was those little things that got us over the line.

“When you don’t get a score on the board you have to defend pretty well.

“We kept on repelling from the back line with intercepted marks and turnovers.

“It was only a matter of time before they did kick another goal, but luckily the siren went.

“I don’t think we would have held on for another five minutes.”

The Roos celebrated hard after the win, with a rousing club song and plenty of activity in the rooms late into the night.

“There are a few boys going to Uni next year, so it was the last time this group we’ve had for two years were going to play together,” Wenman said.

“It was good to get the reward for those guys who are moving on.

“It was great for the club and a great atmosphere Saturday night.

“It was a really positive way to finish.”

With Wenman relinquishing his coaching duties for next season, it was also a positive way for him to finish up at the helm.

“I don’t make anything about me at all, but the boys certainly mentioned to send me off on a high would be a good thing,” he said.

“It was pretty good for me to go out like that.”