James Murphy
Millicent 11.27 (93) d West Gambier 4.10 (34)
IT was a round to forget for West Gambier on Saturday, as the Roos were unable to match reigning premier Millicent at McLaughlin Park.
In a day which did not favour straight kicking, a total of 37 behinds were recorded in windy conditions.
Of those, 10 came from the Roos, while they were only able to find the big sticks on four occasions to suffer an eventual 34-93 point defeat.
West led at quarter time by two points after the Saints started their game with an inaccurate eight behinds against the breeze.
However, from there it was the Millicent show and with a 5.9 return in the second term, the home team held a 37-point lead at the main break, holding the Roos scoreless for the quarter.
The wind advantage swapped hands again in the third term and the Roos applied plenty of pressure around the ball, reeling in the margin to 28 points.
However, it was not enough to change their fate and a 5.8 return from Millicent put the game to rest.
Will Crook was best-on-ground for West, while Tom Nieuwerkerk put in another solid performance in what is shaping up to be a consistent start to his season.
Todd Mcpartlan was another who earned a mention, while Ethan Giddings and Jordan Williams were also solid.
Only two Roos found the big sticks for the day, as Reece Cowling and Dylan Gillies bagged two majors each.
For the Saints Dylan Bromley made an impact in the forward line again with three goals, while youngster Josh Werchon backed up a best-on-ground performance with three majors as well.
Werchon received another mention among the Saints best, but it was fellow youngster Eli Redman who earned the top honours as he created plenty of forward momentum throughout the match.
“Eli just provides a lot of run on the outside and he’s clean and has good foot skills,” stand-in Millicent coach Tom Renzi said.
The consistent start to the season also continued for Dylan Tincknell, who was a highlight in the backline again on Saturday.
Switching back to a defensive role after a year at half-forward, he has proven to be a brick wall for his opponents so far this year.
“He is just reliable, he does his job and plays on his man,” Renzi said.
Looking ahead West will hope to bounce back against East Gambier this week, while Millicent hosts North Gambier in a night match for Round 4.
