IN a nail-biting finish, East Gambier claimed the honours over West Gambier and retained the Call to Arms Cup on Saturday at Malseed Park by a single behind.
The Round 13 Western Border football clash was also set down as the Phil Muhovics game, with the best-on-ground – Jayden Eldridge – a worthy winner of the medal bearing Muhovics’ name.
The day was also about third v fourth on the ladder, with the hosts remaining clear of the visitors, despite their loss.
The Bulldogs looked ominous from the first bounce and approached the game with real intent early.
Kicking with the wind, they banged on four goals to the Roos one in the opening stanza to set the scene.
Mark Kieselbach began to control the ruck contest early, although with a tough challenge from the returning Todd Lewis.
Bulldogs coach Matt Willson found early possession and pushed up the ground, but Giancarlo Cooper was judged holding the ball, with a 50-metre penalty to follow that put Kynan Betts into the West attacking zone.
His kick found Roos coach Brad Wilson up forward which resulted in the first goal of the game.
But that was all the Roos would find in the opening stanza, with not even a minor score to add to the total.
For East it was matter of taking their opportunities when they presented, with a huge kick from Kieselbach in the centre of the ground setting up a running Matt McCallum for the Bulldogs first of the game.
East began to open the Roos up with fast run-on play from stoppages, while Eldridge began to influence the contest, as did John Forster around the packs.
Combined with some ferocious tackling, East took a handy lead to the first break and all the momentum in the contest.
As expected the Roos hit back in the second term, using the wind early to put Brad Wilson on for a major inside the first minute.
While the threat looked dangerous for the Bulldogs, Matt Ferguson hit back soon after to wrestle back the momentum.
Steve Wenman began to impose himself on the contest in the Roos defensive zone, but Betts appeared to have his say on an umpiring decision, which resulted in a 50-metre penalty to Forster.
Another 50 was awarded when a player ran over the mark and when Betts continued his line of enquiry he was yellow carded.
Forster duly slotted the goal home and the Bulldogs were still in control.
However, Lachlan Jones added a major for the Roos off an accurate kick inside from Jake Blackwell, but the game was then stopped after McCallum appeared to be knocked unconscious.
He was stretchered from the ground and headed to hospital.
Matt Willson said he was given the all clear and released later that night.
While it put a dampener on the contest, the game continued and East added another couple of majors to remain in front.
But West had shown its hand, with Josh Schapel, Lawry Bradley-Brown, Wenman and Blackwell having a big impact.
The third term saw much of the same, with the Bulldogs unable to break away.
West ensured they would be in the contest at the final break, with two major scores, while holding East to just three with the wind.
That was a turning point in the game and set up a scintillating final stanza, with the fans on the edge of their seats until the final siren.
The major contributors in the game stood tall when the final result was on the line.
The Bulldogs held the lead by just 14 points, with the Roos having the advantage of the wind to run the game out.
Eldridge continued to push hard for the Bulldogs, but a mistake by East in the back 50 saw Wenman – who had wandered forward – and Brad Wilson jump on the chance and goal.
When Wenman goaled soon after, the margin had reduced to just three points and the Roos were coming home hard.
Mid-way through the term the lead was back to two points, but Rumbelow goaled from a crumbed ball and the Bulldogs held on.
With 20 minutes gone Ricky Lindner split the middle for the Roos and the game was again down to the wire.
East began to wind the clock down with 24 minutes gone, but could not afford a mistake, with plenty of time for the Roos to pounce.
Shem Balshaw found a shot in front to ice the game, but the kick was a shocker fell well short.
It gave the Roos a chance to clear, but the Bulldogs bottled the play up and the siren rang out, with the visitors sneaking home.
For Matt Willson it was pleasing to claim the win in what he described as a “really competitive game”.
He said he felt his players did not kick well into the wind, while the Roos made better use of their opportunities, which kept them in the game.
However, he said he was pleased with the performance of the side with the likes of Matt Scanlon, Kev Thomson, Jesse Fry and Alex Pfieffer out of the game.
“We had some really good footballers missing, but our mantra this year is one in, one out,” Willson said.
“We want guys to come in and fill those roles and they did that well.”
Heading into the final break Willson said he expected changes in the West lineup, including Wenman heading up forward.
“We had to switch things around to curb that influence, but for us it was about going out there and continuing to maintain that pressure for 30 minutes,” he said.
“If you don’t against a side like West, they can quickly bang on two or three goals.
“For us to hang on in a game where they threw everything at us is really good for our group.”
Willson also noted the performance of Eldridge, who he said played a fantastic game.
“He really set us up,” he said.
“He is having a terrific season.
“He ended up with the Phil Muhovics medal which was fitting considering the game he had.”
At the end of the day Willson said it was an important win in the scheme of the season.
“It is one we circled on the fixture early in the season as an important game,” he said.
“The rivalry is fierce on the field and we have a lot of respect off the field.
“Going forward it is fairly likely we will play West in the first final.
“If the weekend is anything to go by, that will be a thrilling contest.”
