FAMILIES flocked to sporting grounds around the Limestone Coast on Saturday when the Western Border Junior Football League made an anticipated return.
After a long winter without sport, kids and parents were happily reunited at the footy once again with 16 games played across five grades.
Despite the new-look season, the Under 18’s competition kicked off in predictable fashion.
South Gambier hosted North Gambier and utilised the home conditions to record a convincing 92-point victory.
The Demons were unstoppable from the opening bounce and did not allow their opponents to score in the first quarter.
The Tigers finally managed to hit the scoreboard in the second term, but could only kick one major with the wind before South resumed its dominance and raced towards an 82-point lead.
North controlled the bleeding slightly in the closing stages with one goal, but was comprehensively outplayed in the Demons’ 107-15 win.
Tre Davis impressed to be named South’s best player, while Deegan Vasilios Holland and Tarquin Newton kicked three goals each.
Ethan Norman was best on ground for the visitors.
Millicent’s contest with West Gambier followed a similar plot at McLaughlin Park.
The Roos managed to stay within 13 points of the home side at quarter time before the latter broke the game open.
The Saints kicked four unanswered goals in the second term to put the game beyond doubt.
West produced an improved performance in the second half led by Jeff Judd with three majors and ruckman Brayden Olds.
But Millicent charged home to break the 100-point barrier.
Billy Shanks impressed around the ground, while Frazer Bradley and Josh Werchon both slotted four goals in the 106-42 win.
East Gambier had a bye and will begin its campaign this weekend.
The WBJFL Under 16’s competition burst to life in thrilling fashion as three close encounters took place.
The tightest battle was between the Saints and Roos.
Nothing could split the pair after the first quarter, but Millicent gained the upper hand with two unanswered goals during the second.
After trailing by 14 points at the main break, West halved the deficit in the third quarter to set up a grandstand finish.
Both sides went blow-for-blow during a high-scoring last term and despite being outscored in the second half, the Saints held on by four points.
Kalan Shanks and Jaxon Cushion kicked one and two goals respectively, while the Roos were led by Reece Cowling and a four-goal haul by Billy Wiese.
South Gambier White pushed the Bulldogs to the end at McDonald Park.
The visitors raced to a 10-point lead before the home side hit back with the wind to lead by four points at the main break.
Tension was in the air throughout the final quarter as both teams struggled to land a killer blow.
South White had four chances in front of goal and missed them all, but the Bulldogs remained cool to seal the game with a late major and win by five points.
East was led by Keenan Dwyer and the best on ground for the visitors was Jordan Stephens.
South Gambier Red controlled a low-scoring battle against North Gambier at Blue Lake Sports Park.
Only one goal was scored from 13 attempts in the first half, before the Demons kicked away to a 19-point lead during a strong third quarter.
South Red slowed in the final term, but secured a 13-point win after the Tigers did not score a major until the closing stages.
Jack Domaschenz led the way for the winners and North’s best player was Joel Griffith.
The most dramatic Under 14’s WBJFL match was between Millicent and West Gambier.
At half time, the Saints appeared to be in a commanding position with a 20-point lead after kicking five straight goals.
But the tables turned after the main break and Millicent only scored one more point for the rest of the game as the Roos claimed an 11-point victory.
Brooklyn Winterfield claimed West’s top votes, while Marshall Hill and Robert Case both kicked two goals each.
Jackson Bowden was the Saints’ best player.
South Gambier White secured the honours in a high-scoring battle with East Gambier.
After two points separated the sides at the first break, the Demons dominated the next two quarters and went on to win by 43 points.
Matthew Thomas was South White’s top performer with four majors, while Jack Lawrence led the way for the home team with two.
North Gambier completed a comfortable win over South Gambier Red.
The Demons could not score a goal until the final quarter, as the Tigers eased to a 33-point victory.
Darcy Arthurson and Josh Younger were the best players for North and South Red respectively.
