By Trevor Jackson
SOUTH GAMBIER 13.13 (91) d WEST GAMBIER 5.7 (37)
ANY doubts about South Gambier’s ability to be a contender in the 2021 Bendigo Bank Western Border Football League season were yet again dispelled on Saturday, as the Demons ran out emphatic victors over West Gambier at Malseed Park.
The Demons have created a six-point margin at the top of the table from the trio of North Gambier, Millicent and East Gambier.
West tasted the force of that dominance on Saturday, never really in the game, apart from a competitive third term.
However, by the long break South had built a handy 32-point margin to ensure it would be a long day for the home side.
West did reduce the margin in the third quarter, but only by one point and from there the Demons again hit their straps, with a five-goal final stanza to run the game out.
South coach Brayden Kain and spearhead forward Kym Eagleson kept the scoreboard ticking over with four majors each, while Dane Handreck kicked two.
For West just Jayme Dobie kicked multiple goals, with two to his name, while Lawry Bradley-Brown was impressive around the ground in a losing side.
West still languish down in fifth place on the ladder, with just two wins for the season.
EAST GAMBIER 15.7 (97) d NORTH GAMBIER 10.11 (71)
EAST Gambier used its home ground advantage to inflict North Gambier’s fourth loss for the season.
It came on the back of a strong first half of football, something which has troubled the Bulldogs in recent seasons.
A 10-point quarter-time lead was increased to 22 points at the long break and the Bulldogs held on from there.
Jake Harrap, Mark Kieselbach and Jayden Eldridge played a pivotal role as they moved the ball well and delivered it up forward.
Todd Lockwood and Giancarlo Cooper finished well with four goals each, while Mark Rumbelow, Grady Janeway and Beau Nunan added two each.
At the other end of the ground coach Justin McConnell was well held to three goals, while Dylan Munn chipped in with two.
After an ordinary start to the season the Bulldogs enjoy a four-point buffer in fourth spot on the premiership ladder to West Gambier.
North still sits in second place thanks to a slightly better percentage than Millicent, with all three clubs on eight points after seven games have been completed.
MILLICENT 26.14 (170) d CASTERTON SANDFORD 6.9 (45)
In the final game Millicent ensured Casterton Sandford would remain win-less so far, with a big victory up at McLaughlin Park.
The Saints were never troubled, delivering the ball accurately to the in-form Gene Robinson up forward, who finished off the good work with 10 goals and extend his lead at the top of the goal-kicking ladder.
Robinson now has 44 majors for the year and a big lead over Tiger coach Justin McConnell with 29.
In the game the Saints were out of the blocks fast, with six first-quarter goals to the Cats solitary major.
While the Cats banged on five goals in the second term, so did the Saints to nullify the effect.
But it was a huge third term which put the game to bed, as the Saints kicked nine majors and held the Cats goal-less.
In fact, the visitors were unable to add another major score to the board, while the Saints finished with six goals in the final term.
But was not just Robinson who was among the goals.
Jacob Carger and Mitchell Reilly kicked three each, while Frazer Bradley, Kade Varcoe and Noah Lang added two each, with another four single goal scorers.
Millicent has certainly been a surprise package this season and would certainly certainly be in the box seat to take the goal kicking honours back to McLaughlin Park, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
The season itself has thrown up some interesting results.
While the Cats are unlikely to claim a win this year, West Gambier is certainly not out of the equation, which all adds up to an intriguing time ahead.
