FROM all the matches played across the region in round five of Western Border football, there was one team which had more reason to celebrate than most.
At McDonald Park on Saturday, the East Gambier Under 18 side defeated South Gambier by 17 points in a tight contest.
The breakthrough victory was actually the playing group’s first win over any Demon side since Under 12 C’s and for some, their maiden ever success against the red and white.
The Bulldogs also had to overcome a number of setbacks along the way before and during the match.
Long-term coach Tom Williams was unavailable on a holiday, while players Liam Van Schaik, Ben Gaffney, Dane Heemskerk and Corben O’Dea were also notable absentees for the fixture.
Williams has grown a strong bond with the team over his three years in the role, which left care-taker coach Matt Scanlon with some big shoes to fill.
Scanlon said he had some previous experience with the team and was just happy to take some weight off Williams’ shoulders.
“I get along really well with the lads, it is not like I’m coaching a new audience,” he said.
“I have been out training with them at least once a week, twice when I can, to get in there and help Tom out.”
Scanlon said the crunch fixture did not kick off to the ideal start as East was undermanned during the opening stages.
“One of our key midfielders was getting his knee strapped, so we only played with 17 on the field for the first seven minutes,” he said.
Things went from bad to worse for the Bulldogs, after gritty player Flynn Mainwaring was ruled out as result of a crunching hit to the head in a marking contest, running back with the flight.
Scanlon said it was one of the bravest things he has seen.
“Flynn is a really good footballer and that was one of the most courageous things I have seen for a long time,” he said.
“Coming back in front of the bloke, he did not pull out one bit.
“He is just lucky he has no serious damage or concussion.
“I do not know how, but he looks like he is going to straighten up and be ready to play next week.”
But at quarter time, a win seemed unlikely for the home side after a scoreless opening term, which was dominated by South.
Scanlon said the Demons played strong football, but knew there was enough time to get back into the contest if his side stuck to the game plain.
“South were obviously playing a good brand of footy, scoring quickly,” he said.
“I said to the guys it was our first five to six minutes of each quarter which let us down.
“After that we got back into the game and took some control.
“We thought if we could stem the flow of scoring against us and get the scoring for us and then control the game, they would go a long way to winning it, which is what turned after the second quarter.”
Scanlon did not put the performance down to any individuals in particular, but said the 32-point turnaround was down to a full-team effort.
“The major thing we worked on was just sharing the load as a team,” he said.
“It is not down to any individuals, everyone stepped up and did their bit.
“The backs really set it up and we had a quality midfield.
“There were some pretty even performances around the ground which is what we needed.”
Scanlon said it was a great feeling to break the drought, but it is important for his side not to get carried away as it is just one win.
“It was obviously really good, the excitement was right up there with the guys,” he said.
“I think we have got to keep on top of it as it is only one game, but confidence is everything when it comes to footy, so hopefully they can take that confidence and keep building.”
