MILLICENT footballers slammed home their authority in Round 11 of Western Border football with a 56-point win over South Gambier on Saturday.
The Saints used the confines of McLaughlin Park to their advantage from the outset, playing the soft ground well and pushing out to an early 28-point lead at the first break.
The Demons were unable to find a major score in the opening term and while they minimised the carnage somewhat after the first break, they could still only managed one goal in the second term.
In contrast the Saints managed to bang on another two majors, with a growing list of goal kickers that would include Matt Duldig, Dylan Bromley and Tom Hutchesson.
James Weir and Steve Duldig again made life tough for the South forwards, but both Brayden Kain and Henri Capewell found handy possessions and finished off in the attacking zone.
By the long break the margin was 36 points and the Saints simply built on it from there.
A renewed effort after half time saw Millicent add another four goals, but they were matched by the Demons in the final stanza, with both sides adding four major scores.
However, South lost Brett O’Neil to injury late in the second term and struggled through the mid-field from half time onwards.
By the final break the Saints held a commanding 54-point lead and were not about to let that slip by.
In the end Matt Duldig finished with four goals, while Bromley and Hutchesson contributed three each.
Coach Clint Gallio and Hamish Gordon added two each, while Hamish Nitschke contributed the final goal.
For the Demons it was Capewell who topped the list with four to his name, while Kain added two.
Gallio said it was another case of hitting the ground running with a good start to set the game up.
“Our start was really good again, which we really focus on,” he said.
“Against a young side in South, it makes it a lot harder for them and gave us confidence going into the second quarter.”
Gallio noted Weir’s effort in the backline, which he said was typical of his season to date.
“He has been really good for us this season,” he said.
“He plays centre-half-back and there are a couple of big forwards in the league who make it tough.
“But he was really strong in the contest again on Saturday.
“He hardly ever gets beat and is a bloke everyone loves having in the team.
“He has been super for us the last month or so.”
Despite some strong firepower up forward for South in Capewell and Kain, Gallio said he thought they were well covered, along with the dangerous Carl Slape.
“Brady Gibbs took Capewell for most of the game and Steve Duldig played on Slape,” he said.
“But Blake Kenny played on Brayden Kain all day and I thought he got the better of him.
“The times there was a one-on-one contest, Blake was strong.
“He kept the leading goal kicker in the league to two goals and I think that is good.”
To look at the Millicent list sees a group of players all featuring on any given Saturday.
It is a scenario that bodes well as the season heads deep into the second half and it sits well with Gallio.
“That is what we are trying to create – a strong 22,” he said.
“We have some good kids coming in, we have some guys between the age of 17-22, some from 24-27 and a couple of older guys.
“We have a good mix which helps the young guys coming through.
“It is working well and anyone that plays on a Saturday has a role and is prepared to do it for the team’s sake.”
