IN a week filled with upsets in Western Border football, it can not be denied the match of the round was across the border, where ladder leader Casterton Sandford hosted second-placed Millicent at Island Park.
With both teams stepping up to new levels this season a close game was expected, but nobody could have tipped the outcome, as the final result saw the two sides share the points with a 75-all draw.
The match was a classic arm wrestle between two heavyweight teams and spectators were not disappointed as they were left on the edge of their seats for the full four quarters.
The lead changed hands at every break, with the Saints holding an 18-point buffer at the long break, before the Cats came out with a third-quarter effort which saw it two points ahead at three-quarter time.
As is often the case with a draw, the day was not without its controversy, with two calls – both in the final stanza – potentially costing either team from claiming full points.
Matt Duldig opened the scoring in the fourth term with his third of four goals – this one from right in front – which was called through for a major score, but many believed it hit the post.
Had it been called a behind, the Cats could have potentially held the lead and won the match.
The Saints were also denied a victory due to an official decision, which perhaps indicates the game was fated to be a tie.
Millicent playing coach Clint Gallio – in his second week back in the action – scooped the ball up deep in the Saints attacking 50 in the dying seconds and banged a goal from a tight angle as the final siren sounded.
However, it was deemed too late and the Millicent celebrations were cut short as umpires declared the game a draw.
Both teams were well served on the day and there were plenty of standouts from both ends of the ground.
For the Saints, Duldig once again led the goal-kicking list with four to his name, while Dylan Bromley and Sam Willis were in impressive form, backing up the big full-forward on more than one occasion.
This saw both players with two majors each, while Tom Hutchesson, Hamish Nitshke and Hamish Gordon also contributed to the goal count.
However, the best player for the day was named from the backline, with James Weir putting in another standout performance for the Saints.
“He was excellent, he took lots of marks and he is just a solid contributor,” Gallio said.
He was joined by Jonah Grimes who was next on the list, after a solid game against the expertise of Casterton Sandford’s Will Macdonald in the ruck.
“Will Macdonald is probably one of the best ruckman going around in the South East,” Gallio said.
“(Grimes) is a big strong boy and he was really good for us again.”
Gallio was also among the best for Millicent on the day, along with Hutchesson, William Flemming and Reece Duncan.
“Will Flemming gave us plenty on the wing and Tom Hutchesson had his usual game – his speed really breaks the game open and its hard to defend,” Gallio said.
With it just his second week back from a knee injury which saw him out for the last 12 months, Gallio is happy with the last two games and said he is looking forward to getting his match fitness back.
“I was pretty sore during the week,” he said.
“The skills are a bit rusty, but that will also come with a few weeks.”
In terms of the game itself, Gallio said the quality of the contest probably deserved a winner, but the draw was a good reflection of the match.
“It’s a bit disappointing, a game like that deserves a win probably, but at the end of the day we both get a point,” he said.
“It is probably a good decider of a great game of footy.”
Gallio said he was impressed by his whole team’s effort throughout the game and said it was pleasing to see so many contributors on the day.
The second quarter was a highlight for the Saints, where they came back from a two-point deficit at the first change to lead by three goals at half time.
“We worked on a few things throughout the week and we capitalised on them and our second quarter was really good,” Gallio said.
“It takes more than four or five to contribute to a team so I thought it was really excellent we had contributors all over the board.”
Despite the end result, Gallio said it was a good confidence boost for his team before this week’s bye due to Interleague competition.
“We are happy with where we are sitting and it gives us a bit of confidence,” he said.
“Casterton is a good outfit and that gives our group a bit of confidence going into a week off.
“We’ll freshen up and then attack the second half of the season.”
Cats’ coach Hamish Jarrad also led his team example on the day, banging through two goals for the match, while having a big presence around the ground.
Youngster Todd Clode also claimed two majors, while it was Josh Stephenson who led the scoring with three.
Michael Cummings and Daniel Richardson also hit the scoreboard with a goal each.
However, it was not a goal-kicker who received the best-on-ground for the Cats, with Macdonald claiming the honours for the round.
His efforts in the ruck were influential, while Trent Nesbitt excelled once again in the backline, with Cummings, Madison Rogers, Stephenson and Ben Guthrie also among the best.
Jarrad had nothing but praise for his back six again this week, as they took on the challenge of subduing Millicent’s heavy attack.
“Our back six – there are a lot of lesser lads in there – they have been outstanding all year,” he said.
“I thought our midfield was down a bit (this week) and I think that was where they probably won the game.
“They were just a bit smarter around the stoppages, they got on the move and exited really well.”
Despite this, the Cats had a number of instances where they made a quick and seemingly effortless dash down a wing from the backline, before finishing off with a goal.
“When we transitioned the footy quickly, opened up the space and got the ball forward we played some really good football,” Jarrad said.
“But we just did not do it consistently.
“I thought we probably played 10 minutes of good footy for the whole day and then other than that it was just an arm wrestle.”
And an arm wrestle is the perfect analogy for the clash, as neither side had any clear advantage for the entire game.
“It was a terrific game of football,” Jarrad said.
“It was a good game to play in and I imagine it would have been a pretty good game to watch as well.”
With a lull in the second quarter, the Cats came out firing after half time to claw their way back.
“We just adjusted our structures and basically got back to controlling the source, covering the outside and getting the ball in quickly,” Jarrad said.
With Callum Currie and Dylan Ayton two big outs on the weekend, they could have made a difference on the day, but Jarrad said he believes the effort of the team as a whole outweighs that of a couple of good players.
“Just because you bring some good players back in, it does not mean it makes you a better team,” he said.
“Full credit to Millicent for a ripping game of footy.
“For me that’s what footy is all about, games like that.
“We enjoyed the contest and I’m sure they did as well.”
