EAST Gambier orchestrated a come-from-behind Western Border football Reserves grand final victory over West Gambier on Saturday, in the perfect curtain-raiser for the A Grade contest to follow.
The game was in the balance for the full four quarters, with only the final quarter deciding the eventual victor.
The Roos pushed forward early in the game, with the first score of the contest, but only a behind.
However, soon after Jake McKeon gave away a free kick, but the resulting angst saw that reversed, with the 50-metre penalty setting up an easy goal to put East a point clear.
West soon returned serve, with Trent Hawke adding to the total and to regain the lead, but again the Bulldogs pushed forward and once more the lead changed in what was fast becoming a real arm wrestle.
Abdulla Kamara was working hard through the centre of the ground for the Roos, combining with Niall Easterbrook to keep the game flowing, but when the Bulldogs hit the scoreboard again, West was struggling to keep pace.
By the first break the margin favoured the Bulldogs by 18 points, with the Roos needing to kick on against the wind.
A tough battle ensued, with play on the club-side boundary providing plenty of interest for the big crowd lining the fence.
Neither side was able to gain clean possession and push forward, but West finally found a chance up forward eight minutes into the term, with a goal to close the margin.
East failed to capitalise on the wind early in the term, despite the best efforts of Giancarlo Cooper through the centre.
Just minutes later Cooper popped up on the boundary 50 metres out and almost banged one home.
Kurt Rodis followed up with a chip pass to Tom Williams, but his shot was also blown off line.
Cooper was fast providing a show-reel for the spectators, with a high-flying grab on the half-forward-flank bringing big cheers from the crowd.
But despite all the attack, East was struggling to find the middle of the big stick and stamp its authority on the contest.
With the quarter fast closing, Luke Thomson put his hand up, claiming a mark and a subsequent goal to end the quarter 22 points clear.
The third term saw West turn the game around, eventually claiming the lead after an inspiring quarter with the wind.
Ricky Dalby showed the wind could be used to advantage, banging home a goal in the first minute of play to remain in touch.
Another forward foray was thwarted by Jeremy Nunan and Williams, but the Roos gained possession at centre-half-forward, with another major reducing the margin to just 10 points with only three minutes gone in the term.
Suddenly the Bulldogs were under pressure, but another goal returned serve to East.
However, in the see-sawing contest West was again on the board, with a high snap from Levi Morton finding the goals and the game was on in earnest.
The Roos looked to build a margin, knowing too well the Bulldogs would have the advantage of the stiff breeze in the final term.
That was how it would pan out, but not to the extent the Roos coaching staff would have liked.
By the final break the margin was four points in West’s favour, but hardly a match-winning advantage with a strong wind to contend with.
East hit back early in the final quarter, with a goal to Riley Janeway and the lead once more.
However, with the rain falling the Sherrin was slippery, making accurate delivery a problem for both sides.
As the quarter wound down, East held the ascendancy, but only by three points with more than 18 minutes gone in the term.
Both sides were desperate to claim the honours, but in the end the Bulldogs did enough to bottle up play and claim the premiership honours in classic grand final finish.
Williams was voted best-on-ground, while Thomson was also impressive, with three goals for the victors.
West was well-served in front of goals by Dalby, who managed three majors to keep the Roos in the game.
