IT was another competitive weekend of action when the Western Border Junior Football League rolled into its second round of the season on Saturday.
Millicent stamped its authority on the Under 18 and 16 grades to remain the only undefeated team in the two competitions.
The Under 18’s Saints side recovered from a slow start to overcome South Gambier at Blue Lake Sports Park.
After closing within two points at three-quarter time, Millicent powered home with five straight goals to win by 34.
Billy Shanks kicked a pair of majors to secure top votes, followed by Jacob Robbie with three, while Joel Duncan performed for the home team.
East Gambier suffered a tough start to its 2020 campaign with a 10-goal defeat at the hands of West Gambier at Malseed Park.
The writing was on the wall during the opening stages as the Roos hopped away to a 59-point lead by the final break.
Bana Say kicked straight three times, while Brady Cook secured best-on-ground honours with two majors.
Cooper Noack scored half of the Bulldogs goals as the side doubled its total in the final quarter, but could not prevent an 89-28 loss.
In the Under 16’s, North Gambier prevailed in a tight tussle with South Gambier White at Vansittart Park.
After neither side kicked straight in the opening quarter, the Tigers surged to a 16-point lead.
But North could not score another major in the final term, as South White kicked two late goals.
However, the fightback was not enough as the Tigers held on by seven points, led by Reece McLaughlin and Jay Turner.
Jake Walker was the best player for the visitors.
South Gambier’s Red team was also not successful against Millicent.
The Saints marched to a 20-point lead before the main break as the Demons missed all of their eight shots on goal.
South Red finally found the big sticks in the second half, but went on to lose by 18 points.
Mitchell and Noah Sims were the best for the Demons, while Jaxon Cushion led Millicent alongside leading goal-scorers Jacob Todd and Kalan Shanks.
West Gambier proved too strong in home conditions for East Gambier in the final Under 16’s clash.
A close encounter was on the cards at the opening break, but the Roos skipped away in the final three quarters by kicking five goals to one.
Landon Shane Lefever scored four majors for West as Ethan Gladman was in top form, while Keenan Dwyer fought hard for the Bulldogs.
The corresponding fixture in the Under 14’s competition was a much tighter affair.
East overcame a scoreless opening term to bring the game in the balance during the closing stages.
The Roos failed to hit the scoreboard in the last quarter, but held on by four points.
Brad Cowling secured top votes for the victors, while the Bulldogs’ best player was Angus Clarke with two goals.
North Gambier eased to a solid win against South Gambier White on home soil.
A three-goal opening term from the Tigers brought the game out of reach for the Demons, who went on to lose by 23 points.
North’s Aaron Dally booted a trio of majors and the side’s best player was Deacon Ilsley, while Jared Kuhl led South White.
South Gambier Red enjoyed a much stronger outing against Millicent.
The Saints could not trouble the scorers as the Demons blitzed their opponents.
Rani Mutton and Harry Wright both kicked three goals in South Red’s comfortable 86-point victory.
Kobe Gibson was Millicent’s number-one player.
