ON a day not conducive to quality football, Round 9 of the Western Border season went almost to script.
That was except for the South Gambier versus East Gambier clash.
The Demons pulled off an unexpected win over North Gambier last round and repeated that performance against the reigning premiers this week.
While football is a winter sport, the conditions on Saturday were atrocious, with goals hard to come by.
But that did not stop the Demons from finding 10 major scores, while in both other contests the best was Casterton Sandford with five majors.
The Demons’ plan to kick deep into the forward line worked a treat, with Brayden Kain booting four goals and youngster Henri Capewell three.
Nick Tarca worked hard through the centre to assist Brett O’Neil, with the pair moving the ball well in the conditions.
In the end it was a comfortable victory that lifted the Demons off the bottom rung of the ladder at the expense of the Tigers.
Meanwhile at Malseed Park the relatively new surface held up no better, with the previous games during the day cutting it to pieces.
The result was a real slog between West Gambier and Millicent, with the Saints able to hold on for a well-earned victory.
Dylan Bromley managed three majors in that game, which in the end helped the side to just a 10-point win.
Tom Hutchesson was at his best despite the conditions, while for the Roos Lawry Bradley-Brown had plenty of impact.
Down at Island Park the Tigers almost grabbed their second win of the season, but had to settle for an eight-point loss, slipping down to the bottom of the ladder as a result.
According to The Border Watch sports cadet James Murphy, had there been another five minutes or so to play, the result could have been different, with the Tigers pushing hard late in the game.
But of course that was not the case, with the full-time siren sounding and the Cats remaining undefeated for the season.
There were no multiple goal kickers in that contest, but rather players taking the opportunity to hit the scoreboard when it arose.
Will Macdonald was again a solid performer for the victors, along with Trent Nesbitt, while Murphy said Stafford was a prime mover for the Tigers, as the side came together late to almost pull off the victory.
This week’s Sportspower Player-of-the-Year honour goes to O’Neil.
He was well supported by Tarca through the middle of the ground and managed to find his targets up forward in an unexpected victory.
West v Millicent
3 – Dylan Bromley (Millicent): Battled hard around the ground and finished with three of the Saints’ four goals in adverse conditions.
2 – Blake Kenny (Millicent): A solid defensive effort to hold out the Roos and they pushed hard to close the margin.
1 – Tom Hutchesson (Millicent): Pushed hard around the ground and made an impact on the contest despite the slippery ball.
South v East
3 – Brett O’Neil (South Gambier): Worked hard through the middle of the ground to create opportunities up forward.
2 – Brayden Kain (South Gambier): Positioned himself well in the forward line on a tough day for marking, finishing with four goals to help the Demons to an impressive victory in the slippery conditions.
1 – Carl Slape (South Gambier): Provided a focus across the half forward line to help set up inside 50 forays for the Demons.
Casterton Sandford v North
3 – Trent Nesbitt (Casterton Sandford): Stood tall despite the weather conditions, providing plenty of run off half-back, while also banging through a goal for his efforts.
2 – Will Macdonald (Casterton Sandford): Showed nothing but class in the wet weather, holding firm in the ruck and at stoppages as well as around the ground, also scoring a goal as a result of an impressive one-handed mark in a one-on-one contest.
1 – Sam Stafford (North Gambier): Was a solid contributor in a fine performance from the Tigers, which saw them just eight points shy of the undefeated ladder leaders at full time.
