EAST Gambier moved one step closer to a top-two finish in Western Border football after a big win over Millicent on Saturday.
Played in cool conditions at McDonald Park, the round 12 clash saw the Bulldogs set up the win with strong play at both ends of the ground early in the contest.
East was unable to break free from the determined Saints in the opening term, with just three points separating the two sides at the break.
But from there the Bulldogs banged on five goals and only two minor scores in the second quarter, then after the long break the sheer weight of possession took its toll and the home side began to methodically build an unassailable lead.
Much of that came off the boot and hands of Mark Rumbelow, who took control in the forward half of the ground to finish with five goals for the victors.
His possessions were set up with some strong play in the back half through the likes of Matt and Frazer Scanlon, Nick Lock and Luke Thomson, to push the ball through the middle.
Jake McKeon was in on the action yet again, with a streaming runs along the wing and through the midfield.
He was joined by the likes of Jack Dawe, John Forster and Giancarlo Cooper, who ensured a regular feed through to the attacking 50.
While the Bulldogs pushed forward, they limited Millicent’s opportunities with some solid defensive efforts.
Whenever the Saints made a forward foray there were plenty of Bulldogs defenders ready to rebound the Sherrin.
The result was a 15-point lead at the long break, but more importantly the majority of possession.
From there the Bulldogs began to find their range, banging on four goals and just two behinds in the third term, while holding the visitors to one minor score.
That was the turning point and by the final break the margin had crept out to a handy 40-point lead, with a lot for the Saints to do to remain in the contest.
Millicent coach Lyndon Smith seemed to take a lot on his own shoulders late in the game, but again his side faced a tough challenge.
The final term began as an arm wrestle early, but the Saints could not find enough possession to push forward with any intent.
When they did the stifling defence again denied any real chances to impose scoreboard pressure, which eventually wore the visitors down.
Late in the game the Saints seemed to run out of legs, while the Bulldogs kicked away to run out emphatic 59-point victors.
Rumbelow’s efforts in front of the big sticks was joined by Dawe with four majors, Shem Balshaw with three, plus singles from Mark Kieselbach, McKeon and Kev Thomson.
It again showed the versatility of the Bulldogs lineup as they find form at the right time of the season.
With losses to both West Gambier and North Gamier, it also put East equal on points at the pointy end of the ladder, with just percentage separating the three.
The Bulldogs still hold down third place, but are set to apply the pressure as the season winds down to claim the double chance in the post season.
As Matt Willson again coached from the sidelines and several other players are still to come back into the roster, it provides the perfect scenario as the finals approach.
Willson said he was pleased with the way his side resisted the Millicent barrage early and put the foot down as the game unfolded.
“They came out really strong and their pressure on the footy was good,” he said.
“Our scoreboard pressure was not great and probably let us down a bit, but they certainly took it up to us in that first quarter.”
Willson said the defensive pressure was something his side had worked hard on, which had come to fruition in recent games.
He said the inclusion of Frazer Scanlon simply added to that.
“He is a pretty handy one to bring back into the back six,” he said.
“The extra leadership works well.
“Tom Williams had more of a shut down role than he has in the past and showed he has that side to his game.
“That freed up guys like Matt Scanlon and Nick Lock to run off a little bit more.”
Likewise Willson said he was pleased how the side finished the game off, despite a challenge from the Saints in the final term.
“It has been a real focus, trying to string together four quarters,” he said.
“I was really happy with the way the boys fought out the full game.
“That last quarter they came at us, so to be able to finish off like we did was good.”
One big talking point was the effort of Rumbelow up forward.
While he kicked five goals, Willson said he racked up mid to high 20 possessions, took around 14 marks and kicked 5.3 on a day out for the mobile forward.
“It was a good game for him,” he said.
“His work around the ground is phenomenal when he is playing well across half forward and even deeper.”
While there is still plenty of time to shape the top half of the ladder, Willson said the other results from the weekend certainly opened the door for the Bulldogs to claim a top-two finish.
“We have to keep winning now if we want that double chance,” he said.
“It makes it pretty exciting in the back end of the year.”
