Saints fail to keep up with impressive Tigers

Hamish Telford Dsc 0788  TBW Newsgroup
GOLDEN FORM: North Gambier's Hamish Telford put in another big effort on Saturday to earn the Tigers' best-on-ground honours against Millicent at Vansittart Park. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

Hamish Telford Dsc 0788 TBW Newsgroup
GOLDEN FORM: North Gambier’s Hamish Telford put in another big effort on Saturday to earn the Tigers’ best-on-ground honours against Millicent at Vansittart Park. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

NORTH GAMBIER 15.7 (97) d MILLICENT 8.7 (55)

VANSITTART Park remains a fortress for North Gambier in 2019, as the Tigers hosted Millicent for a 42-point victory on Saturday in round six of Western Border football.

Despite the final margin, the Saints showed improvement from their round-one clash against North over at McLaughlin Park.

However, a five-goal opening quarter from the Tigers set up a 17-point lead at the first change and saw Millicent on the back foot for the rest of the game.

The absence of coach Justin McConnell on the ground did not lessen North’s firepower on the day, with Nick Moretti bagging five majors in his 2019 debut, while Tom McLennan converted four.

The Saints surged early in the second term and applied attacking pressure, but were unable to capitalise.

North wrestled back control to finish the half strongly and led by 23 points at the main break.

The Tigers opened the third quarter with a goal, but Millicent fired again, this time with two consecutive majors to remain in the contest.

Both goals were set up from plays started by coach Lyndon Smith, who was a general around the ground all day.

However, when McLennan answered with a goal off the next centre bounce and Nick McInerney scored shortly after, the Tigers stayed in control.

Blows were traded for the rest of the term and both teams finished the quarter with four goals, to see a 22-point margin at the final change.

Millicent was still in the contest, but North’s fitness came into play and a four-goal-to-one effort saw the Saints put to rest in the fourth.

In-form Tiger Hamish Telford opened the final stanza with two quick goals which silenced Millicent early.

A third consecutive goal from North all-but sealed the win and despite a couple of solid plays from the Saints, the Tigers’ back six held strong and conceded just one goal for the term, which was booted by Sam Willis late in the game.

The match was tighter than expected and showed the closeness between the top and bottom of the ladder in 2019.

“Millicent are a much-improved outfit,” McConnell said.

“They really fought hard and it was a real arm wrestle at stages, but I thought it was a really professional victory.

“It was not perfect, but the guys fought through and did what they needed to do to get the job done in the end.”

The second half has been a strong point for the Tigers this season, which comes down to match fitness, while the opening term was also a deciding factor.

“You never have to recover from a good start, especially at home,” McConnell said.

“You want to try and put some pressure on the opposition and our guys have a real intent on starting well.

“The second and the third quarters were real arm wrestles, but our ability to start and finish well probably summed up the game in a nut shell.”

The absence of McConnell due to a troubling calf, as well as both Sam and Brad Stafford saw other players with a chance to prove their worth and they did not disappoint.

Moretti was one such player and he was a reliable target in the forward line with five goals, while youngster Tom Gould and Nick Brown were both in fine form.

McConnell was pleased with the input from each player, in addition to those who stepped up to more important roles on the day.

“It is pleasing that when these guys have the opportunity, they can make the most of it,” McConnell said.

“That along with other guys who can perform bigger roles, like Dylan Munn and Michael Telford and I thought even Brett Kennedy and Jordan Hollitt were really good.

“The midfield was a real arm wrestle, but in the end our run – with guys like Hamish Telford and Michael Telford – really came to the fore.”

Hamish Telford was in fine touch and received the best-on-ground honours for the Tigers, with McConnell impressed by his efforts this season.

“Hamish Telford is having a really stellar season and found a lot of the footy in every part of the ground just from his work rate,” he said.

“Tom McLennan at centre-half forward was outstanding and I thought Brett Kennedy and Jonah Grimes had a good battle in the ruck.

“Jordan Hollitt in defence was quite pleasing as well.”

Michael Telford and Ciaran Buckley rounded out North’s best, while for the Saints it was the efforts of Dylan Bromley which saw him named as the top performer.

Grimes was also in form and was second to receive a mention, with Frazer Bradley, Joe Walker, Dylan Tincknell and Kade Bradley finishing the list.

Looking ahead the Western Border competition has a bye this weekend for the June long weekend and the interleague carnival, with the next games set down for June 15.