NORTH Gambier knew the start would be all important in the 15 and Under A grand final and unfortunately for the Tigers, it was the reigning champions Millicent which got the better of it.
North has challenged the Saints all season, but just could not stem the flow of scoring, especially in the first half.
The Millicent forward line was clinical, with Kayleigh Taylor and Hannah Nitschke feeding Kate Walker and Paige Nitschke with precision and the shooting combination ensured the work of their teammates was reflected on the scoreboard.
Walker converted nine-from-nine in the dominant opening half, with Nitschke’s nine-from-13 in the second quarter totally breaking the game open.
The defensive end was also on top and that was no mean feat, considering they were taking on players the class of Emily Close, Ellen Brown, Sophie Ellis and Charlotte Bruhn.
Millicent was up to the challenge and Madi Haggett, Alice Pratt and Ella Wesolowski continually turned the ball over before it even reached a good shooting position.
The attempts in the first half were 34-17 and so the 13-goal half time lead for the Saints was no surprise and basically the game was done.
However, North refused to die wondering and swung the changes, moving Ellis to defence, Sarah Nulty into goals, Claire Day to goal keeper and Elyse Willoughby to the defensive wing.
It certainly helped, but the problem was the gap was already so wide and the Saints were able to add fresh legs to the mid court with Sapphire Sims.
Defensively North made life a lot tougher for the Saints, while at the other end, more scoring opportunities were generated as Nulty used her pace to great effect and Brown continued to be influential with her great work rate and creative feeding.
North only lost the quarter by two, but that meant the three-quarter-time margin was 15.
Another roll of the dice from the Tigers saw Ellis head back to the shooting circle, Nulty to the attacking wing, Brown to centre and Close to the less familiar role of goal defence.
Again, the Tigers were more competitive, but with Hannah and Paige Nitschke on fire and Taylor, who moved to the centre, still finding good connection with her goalers, Millicent powered to the title with an 18-goal win.
For the Tigers, Brown got the job done in the mid court and never gave up, while Willoughby was at her tenacious best and kept crating turnover ball even when the match was a lost cause.
Millicent was best served by best on court Hannah Nitschke, her sharp shooting sister Paige, and Taylor, who put in her usual workmanlike performance.
Final score: Millicent 42 d North Gambier 24
