SOUTH GAMBIER 6.8 (44) d MILLICENT 2.8 (20)
WINTER sport lived up to its name over the weekend, with Saturday’s wet and windy conditions making the going tough for South East athletes.
Millicent’s McLaughlin Park was the prime example, as the Saints hosted South Gambier in round nine of Western Border football.
Big scores were always going to be elusive and it was the Demons who took advantage of the wind in the first term to set up a lead they would not give up.
At the final siren the visitors claimed a 24-point win – a comfortable margin taking the conditions into consideration.
Millicent managed just 20 points for the game and struggled to take advantage of the wind in the second and fourth quarters.
The Demons on the other hand started strongly to open the match with three goals in the first term, before Millicent answered with one in the second.
At half time the margin was 11 points, but another three-goal quarter sealed the win for South.
The Saints replied with their second goal in the final term, but the damage had been done and the reigning premiers remained win-less for 2019.
South’s victory marked its first away from home win this year and coach Brett Exelby was pleased with the outcome.
“It was a very challenging day for both teams,” he said.
“We saw the weather report and knew it was going to be tough – it is always a tough day when it is raining and windy at Millicent.
“They played the ground really well, so it was a good day to come out with a win.”
Both teams fielded young lineups and the Under 18s held their own in the tough conditions.
However, it was some of the more experienced heads which stood out on the day.
That was particularly the case for South, as Bronson Saffin played another impressive game out of the backline to earn the best-on-ground honours for the third consecutive round.
Brent Howard was also in his element, while Exelby took to the field for the second week in a row and led his young team by example.
Post game Exelby insisted it would not be a “long-term” arrangement, but said the ability for him to coach on the field will benefit the developing side.
“It was not planned,” he said.
“A player pulled out last week and I decided to play and see what was happening on the field as a coach.
“It is just to see how it feels on the ground and give a bit more direction with all the kids in our side.”
The abundance of junior players in Saturday’s game made for an interesting mix of youth and experience not often seen in the A Grade competition.
“I think they had nine Under 18’s and we had seven, so you nearly have a full team’s worth of kids out there,” Exelby said.
“Then you sprinkle in all the old blokes – it was quite a funny scenario.”
Young Demon Emerson Marks top scored for the match with two goals, with Jake Tentye, Brayden Kain, Dion Stratford and Nick Kourmozis all bagging singles.
For Millicent Sam Willis and Mitchell Reilly found the big sticks, while it was Dylan Tincknell who was rewarded with the best-on-ground honours, as he put his body on the line for the full four
quarters.
Joe Walker also impressed and was joined by Jaden Grosser, Brady Gibbs, Kade Varcoe and Jonah Grimes among the best.
Looking ahead South still has a top-four finish in its sights and Exelby said the team should take a lot out of Saturday’s match.
“We have a few guys out who are really important to us,” he said.
“We should get them out in the next couple of weeks so these wins are really important.
“We just have to stay around the mark to then hopefully give us that fourth position.”
