MILLICENT returned home with a big win after it visited North Gambier at Vansittart park for Round 12 of Western Border football on Saturday.
The Saints booted an impressive 46 points in the opening term to lead by 40 at the first change and did not look back from there.
Even in the second half when Millicent took its foot off the gas, the Tigers were unable to claw their way back into the contest.
The win now puts Millicent level on points with Casterton Sandford, after the Cats’ suffered an upset to East Gambier at Island Park and just 1pc separates the Saints from top spot.
Matt Duldig started the ball rolling on the weekend with his usual contested mark polished off with the first goal of the day two minutes in.
However, unlike recent weeks, that was Duldig’s only major for the match and it was Dylan Bromley who stepped up in front of the big sticks on Saturday.
Bromley finished with five for the match in a standout performance from the tall Saint, while youngster Hamish Nitschke also had plenty of firepower with three to his name.
Mitchell Reilly and Hamish Gordon contributed two each, while Sam Willis and Reece Duncan scored singles.
For the Tigers there were just four celebrations for the day, as Sam Stafford, Fraser Marshall, Tom McLennan and Jordan Hollitt were the only goal-scorers for the match.
North managed just one major for the first term which came off Stafford’s boot, while it added two more to the tally before half time.
However, by then the Saints had kicked 10.7 and with a 47-point lead over their hosts, they never looked threatened.
Playing coach Clint Gallio was most impressed by his team’s first-half effort, but said it was slightly disappointing to see the intensity fade in the third quarter.
Despite that, Millicent was still able to extend the margin going into the last break, with 53 points the difference at three-quarter time.
Another three majors and six minors in the fourth quarter for Millicent to the Tigers’ one behind saw the final scoreline 104-28, giving the Saints the percentage boost to apply heavy pressure to the top rung of the premiership ladder.
Tom Hutchesson was in his usual form on the weekend and his performance through the midfield and around the ground was first class.
Those efforts saw him rightly named as best-on-ground for Millicent, while he also received the MAC Be a Game Changer medal for the match.
Willis also provided plenty of run through the middle and down the wing, with his fluorescent green boots impossible to miss as he sprinted the ball through traffic to set up opportunities at goal.
In defence, Dylan Tincknell was a standout around the half back, while Gallio was also in dangerous form.
For North, Stafford played reasonably consistent, with a goal to show for his efforts, but it was Dylan Munn who received the best-on-ground honours.
Jake Schutz joined him on the list, with both players providing some defensive resistance to the Millicent onslaught.
Tim McInerney and Will Stafford also received mention for their efforts.
Gallio was pleased to come away with the win, but going into this week’s meeting with Casterton Sandford, he will hope for a big four-quarter effort from his team.
That was something he thought could have been worked on against North, as the Saints allowed the Tigers a little more room to move in the second half.
“I thought our first half was really good,” Gallio said.
“We sort of got a little bit lazy and slack in the third quarter and they were able to chip the ball around.”
“It probably was not a four-quarter effort, but our start was really good – it set us up well – and we had contributors all around the ground.”
There are few passengers in the Millicent lineup and that come to show once again on the weekend.
“Tommy Hutch (Hutchesson) was really good, he got the MAC be a game changer award and was really good for us,” Gallio said.
“And Dylan Bromley kicked five goals, he presented well,” Clint Gallio said.
“I thought Dylan Tincknell off half back was really good as well and young Sam Willis on the wing, he is growing in confidence every week.
“Lyndon Smith’s pressure and tackling around the footy was a standout too.”
Going into this week’s top-of-the-table clash against the Cats, Gallio expects it to be another big game between the two rivals.
“It’ll be another tough week, they’re a quality side and it’s on our home deck,” he said.
“Last time we went over there (to Island Park) we had a draw, so it will be a good game of footy hopefully.”
“They are a top side and I am looking forward to it.
“We are giving ourselves every opportunity to hopefully finish top two, which I think we will and then that’s where the hard work really begins.
“All these minor round games you need to win, but the hard work starts in a couple of months.”
