SOUTH GAMBIER 12.13 (85) d CASTERON SANDFORD 12.11 (83)
IT was a thrilling start to the Western Border football season, with tight and unexpected results across the draw – and none more surprising than South Gambier’s nail-biting victory over Casterton Sandford.
Just two points separated the sides at the final siren, as the Demons came from behind to steal the lead in the dying minutes and hold on for an electric finish at Blue Lake Sports Park.
It shows a massive turn around in the competition, with the Demons taking home the wooden spoon in 2018, while the Cats finished the home-and-away season as minor premiers.
The result can be largely put down to “the power of youth”, with coach Brett Exelby impressed by his youngsters on the day.
Several game-changing moments were generated by the young brigade, while Jake Tentye and Brett O’Neil also created plenty of play through the centre.
Both teams boasted new personnel and took time to settle, but it was the Cats who appeared in control early.
However, they were unable to translate onto the scoreboard and kicked 2.5 in the opening term to lead by just two points at the first change.
Brayden Kain opened the second quarter with a goal – one of six for the match – to put South in front, but the Cats responded with a dominant run.
A four-goal streak put the Victorians on the front foot, with gun recruit Nicholas Georgiadis and best-on-ground Josh Searle among the contributors.
The streak was broken when young-gun Kyle Jones swooped on a free ball in the Demons’ forward 50, swatted off two Cats’ defenders and snapped through his first of two goals.
The half finished the way it started, as Kain made a strong lead to mark inside the arc, before a 50-metre penalty awarded him a kick from the square.
He converted and South trailed by seven points heading into the long break.
The Cats bared their claws in the third term and kicked off the quarter with a running goal from young star Gabe Parsons and from there the momentum began to swing in the favour of the guests.
However, the Demons refused to back down, with Jones hitting the board again with an impressive running display.
He ran the ball long out of defence, then received it again around the 50-metre mark and slotted it through, to see the margin back to 15 points.
Another goal each finished the term, with a 15-point difference at the final change.
The Cats looked to be in the box seat and the message from coach Hamish Jarrad heading into the final stanza was to hit hard and put the game away early.
But that was not the case and South young-gun Todd Reid stepped up with two impressive goals early to keep the Demons in the game.
With six points the difference, the Cats were awarded a free kick 50 metres out, which saw Justin Carlin take a mark inside and convert, to keep the hosts on the back foot.
But it was not over yet, as Kain brushed off young defender Ben Guthrie – not for the first time – to take a strong mark inside 50.
Unlike his usual self, he put the shot through for a minor score, but it was not long before he redeemed himself.
Henri Capewell scooped up a loose ball in front of goals and passed to Kain, who banged it through to keep the Demons in the game.
When Liam Denton scored a behind the margin sat at four points.
With the clock ticking down, it appeared the next straight kick would seal the deal and when Kyle Carlin goaled for the Cats the match seemed won.
The Demons responded and moved the ball back down the field, but a mark from Dylan Ayton in the backline put an end to the play.
But the Demons refused to bow their heads and intercepted the ball, which saw Brent Howard eventually find the big sticks to keep South in touch.
The break finally came when a solid play down the field saw Kain receive the ball in the square and he banged it through to put the Demons in front.
The crowd erupted and when Kain marked in front again from an angle, the behind that followed did not matter, as the final siren sounded soon after.
Tentye’s efforts around the ground were first-class all day and he was rightly named as South’s best, while Brett O’Neil was also dangerous.
Kain was also among the best, while it was the youngsters who made up the rest of the list.
Reid was named as third best and rightly so, while both Mason Hein and Jones received mention as well.
For the Cats, Searle was in fine form to be named as best, with a team-high four goals, while Parsons was named second best.
Daniel Richardson, Ayton and Will Macdonald were also impressive, while Tom Sullivan rounded out the top players.
Exelby was pleased with the result and credited the hard work from the Demons for the full four quarters.
“The guys worked really hard right from the start,” he said.
“Casterton got a bit of a lead on us midway through the game and had a bit of control, but we have a fair bit of youth in our side and they were able to run the game out and use their speed which was really pleasing.”
The Demons had seven Under 18’s in the A Grade side on Saturday, but Exelby said each of them deserved to be there.
“They have grown and developed over summer and their work rates and some of the things they did were spectacular,” he said.
Kaleb Bowd tackled strongly all day and Reid did not shy away from the hard ball or a contested mark, while Colby Munro proved dedication is just as important as size.
However, it was Jones who really stood out for Exelby.
“Kyle Jones was magnificent on the wing,” Exelby said.
“He is so fast and it is just good to see young kids like that have the confidence to run and take the game on.
“He was great and young Adam Kuhl and Mason Hein, they are 19 and 17 and they were up against Will Macdonald, the best ruckman in the league.
“They just took it to him and fought their hearts out all day.”
Exelby said it was good to win the first hit out of the year and looks forward to carrying some momentum into the Easter break.
