Footballers bring ‘A’ game

WESTERN Border football was expected to provide a more exciting competition in 2018 and it did not disappoint.

From the outset it was evident there were a couple of sides that would push towards the top end of the ladder, with Millicent and West Gambier back in contention.

Casterton Sandford looked extremely strong on paper, with a big influx of former Cats players back in town.

The Saints and the Cats showed supremacy throughout the minor rounds, but in the end it was Millicent which gained the upper hand and claimed its first premiership crown since 1984.

The Saints opened the season with a tight game against South Gambier, but from there began to show their true form.

A big win over former powerhouse club North Gambier suggested they were on target, followed by a thrashing of a rejuvenated West Gambier.

They did struggle to match up against the Cats, who were expected to feature in the finals series.

The Cats did make the post season, but were bundled out in the preliminary final by the Bulldogs, as had been the case the year before.

East fell to Millicent in Round 5 and suddenly the Saints were a real threat.

In fact, after 16 rounds the Saints had lost just three games – one to the Cats, another to the Bulldogs and a big loss to the Roos later in the season.

The season also provided a draw against the Cats, which showed the two sides were up to the task.

In the post season the Saints accounted for the Cats with a comfortable victory in their semi-final clash, to book a grand final berth.

The Saints faced East Gambier in the grand final in what was expected to be a tight hit out.

Millicent had sat top of the ladder for much of the year and took that form the final game of the season.

The grand final took place at the Bulldogs home of McDonald Park to add to the pressure, with East chasing back-to-back glory.

But from the outset the Saints were up to the task, building an early lead to take the advantage.

With a 25-point three-quarter-time lead Millicent was in the box seat, but East was not about to lie down.

The Bulldogs pushed hard in the final term, which had become a trademark of their season.

With seconds remaining in the game just four points separated the two combatants, but the Saints pushed the ball up the ground and held on for an emotional victory.

It was the first flag for the club since 1984 and the celebrations erupted.

Coach Clint Gallio was euphoric in his swan song for the Saints, as he announced his departure from the club to head north for a tilt at football in the Top End.

With the dust settled it was certainly a season which showcased the young talent in the region, with the ideal finish to see a former struggling club claim the honours in what was classic football grand final.