EAST Gambier timed its 2017 run to perfection to claim an upset victory in the 15 and Under B grand final against South Gambier.
East shooter Mahli Pannenburg was always going to prove a headache for the Demons defenders and her eight-from-nine in the opening quarter showed why.
At the other end, Rori Perryman rebounded strongly, but nothing separated the teams at the first break with scores tied at eight-all.
Both sides made changes.
South lost Ava Jones to illness in the opening quarter and had Claire Hunter in goals, while Kate Telford came onto the defensive wing.
East moved star mid courter Kate Dempsey to the attacking wing, Perryman to the middle, Tayla Waters to goal defence and Kayla Shepherd to keeper.
Hunter and Sophie Boston combined well in goals for South and managed to get great supply from Tori Redemski, while the turnover ball came from Mykaela Thiele and Joirdan Bell, who started to shut down the space for Pannenburg.
Fortunately for East, Amryn Bosko was on song in the second and her six-from-eight kept the Bulldogs in touch, with South going into the main break with a four-goal lead.
Changes were again made by both sides at the break.
Lucy Davis headed into the defensive circle for East and Issy Lamb went to the defensive wing, while Issy Kenny was injected back into the contest for South on the defensive wing.
The Demons dominated early and built on the half time lead but the Bulldogs rallied and courtesy of some great defensive work from Davis and Waters started to work their way back, with Lamb also gained some important touches.
Pannenburg earned a lot more possession this quarter despite some strong pressure from Thiele and by three-quarter-time the lead was two.
The last quarter was frantic with turnovers the order of the day as both sides felt the pressure of the tight scoreline.
However, Waters proved the difference in the last.
She took a number of impressive interceptions and rebounded missed opportunities strongly to give her side plenty of opportunity.
Dempsey and Perryman proved to be reliable as link players and Bosko finished well.
Brielle Winterfield was consistent all game and her steadiness with ball in hand in the final quarter helped keep South in the contest, as did the defensive efforts of Thiele.
In the end, East was a little more polished and took the title with a three-goal win.
Final score: East Gambier 32 d South Gambier 29
