Intersport Player Of The Year
WET weather descended on the Limestone Coast on Saturday, with round nine of Western Border football feeling the wrath of Mother Nature.
However, that did not stop some spirited games from unfolding, with South Gambier’s performance up at McLaughlin Park a prime example.
Both sides have struggled this season, but the reigning premiers went into the clash without a win.
In contrast the Demons had claimed two wins – both at home – and needed a victory on the road to remain in contact with the top four.
That is how it unfolded and South now sits equal on points with Casterton Sandford, with the Cats holding down fourth spot by percentage only.
In the game it was a mix of young and old, with around 15 players between both sides in the younger bracket.
In recent rounds South’s youngsters have stood tall to carry the side, but this week the experienced heads took control of the contest.
Brent Howard and Bronson Saffin provided valuable possessions for the Demons as they ran out 24-point victors in a low-scoring affair.
Over at Vansittart Park the match of round unfolded, with North Gambier hosting West Gambier.
Top spot on the ladder was up for grabs and the Roos took hold with both hands and never let go.
The Tigers made a last-ditch effort in the final term to close the margin down, but the Roos pushed hard and claimed the important win.
Roos’ 2019 recruit Michael Minuzzo was impressive, with his in-and-under game going a long way to contribute to the 15-point win.
Meanwhile at McDonald Park East Gambier was victorious over a gallant Casterton Sandford.
The Cats have also struggled this season, but pushed the Bulldogs to the limit.
They claimed the lead in the first term, then gave it up for two quarters, before a come-back in the final term which fell agonisingly short.
The 11-point deficit came from some inspired play from the likes of Bulldogs Matt Scanlon and Kevin Thomson in front of goals, along with some tough defensive efforts.
The Intersport Player of the Year weekly award this round goes to Demon Howard.
Howard has been in good form in recent weeks and certainly showed plenty of his trademark toughness on Saturday.
MILLICENT V SOUTH GAMBIER
3. Brent Howard (South Gambier): Was in his element in the wet and muddy conditions, moving the ball through the midfield and driving it out of a pack on several occasions.
2. Bronson Saffin (South Gambier): Continued to provide a brick wall out of the back-line. Played an impressive game in the Demons’ first win away from home to be named best-on-ground for a third consecutive week.
1. Dylan Tincknell (Millicent): Put his body on the line all day in tough conditions and did not shy away from a contested ball.
NORTH GAMBIER V WEST GAMBIER
3. Michael Minuzzo (West Gambier): Played a tough game under adverse conditions. Put his body on the line to gain possession.
2. Lawry Bradley-Brown (West Gambier): Another solid effort around the ground from the Roos’ on-baller.
1. Charles Schultz (North Gambier): Played a tough brand of football to help keep the Tigers in touch.
EAST GAMBIER V CASTERTON SANDFORD
3. Matt Scanlon (East Gambier): Played a solid role down back to keep Will Macdonald quiet, before moving up the ground to bang on three goals.
2. Grady Janeway (East Gambier): Strong work inside 50 and across half forward. Showed clean hands with a wet Sherrin.
1. Dylan Ayton (Casterton Sandford): A reliable focus around the ground and up forward to finish with three goals in a losing side.
K&S Fuels Player of the Week
THE K&S Fuels Player of the Week is awarded to a footballer who has an effect on the Western Border competition for whatever reason.
The round-nine games were not overly inspiring due to the wet weather, but they did provide plenty of gritty efforts in the unsavoury conditions.
South Gambier’s Brent Howard was at his best against Millicent, working hard at ground level to release the ball to his fellow Demons.
It worked a treat as South chalked up its third win of the season and the first on the road.
He was joined by Bronson Saffin, with neither giving and inch in the mud at McLaughlin Park.
At Vansittart Park the playing surface was not much better for the match of the round.
North Gambier hosted West Gambier and the game lived up to the hype.
Michael Minuzzo was impressive for the Roos, with his in-and-under style of football suiting the conditions.
The Roos claimed the win and the top of the ladder as a result.
In the final game East Gambier hosted Casterton Sandford in what was always going to be a tough contest.
The Cats seem to thrive in wet weather, with their physicality standing up well.
However, the Bulldogs were up to the task and claimed the win.
Much of that can be credited to Matt Scanlon and his versatile style of play.
He is at home applying pressure on the last line of defence, or equally in front of goals banging on major scores.
That was how it panned out on Saturday, with a solid defensive effort and three goals to boot.
For that he gains this week’s honours.
