Too close for comfort

NAIL-BITER: Casterton Sandford's Dylan Ayton is caught in a tackle from Millicent's Jacob Carger in a contest which earned both players the best-on-ground honours for their respective sides. Picture: Trevor Jackson

James Murphy

Millicent 7.8 (50) d Casterton Sandford 6.10 (46)

Millicent held on for a narrow victory over Casterton Sandford in Round 7 of Western Border football on Saturday.

The Saints looked in control for the first half but were limited to a single goal after the main break and had to hold on tight to claim the points.

A surge from the Cats in the final stanza put the pressure on and only four points separated the sides at the siren.

“Another few minutes and we probably would have lost the game I reckon,” Millicent coach Clint Gallio said.

“We just had to grit our teeth and fight it out in the end.”

Casterton’s efforts were not enough to claim the upset on the day but they did knock the Saints down to second place, as South Gambier returns to the top pf the ladder on percentage after a solid win over East Gambier.

Millicent held a 28-point lead at half time but the momentum shifted after the long break.

The Cats started to claw in the scoreline with renewed pressure creating opportunities inside 50.

“In the second half Casterton played some pretty decent footy and were able to hold onto it for longer periods,” Gallio said.

“They made the most of their opportunities when they got forward, which was something we couldn’t do.”

Gallio said his Saints still found plenty of the ball after half time but some poor decisions and skill work let them down.

The absence of Kalan Shanks, Kynan Dunn, Eli Redman and Kobe Gibson did not help things on the weekend as football commitments in Adelaide ruled out the quartet of junior talent.

Millicent also has a handful of injuries which have required the side to rely on its depth over recent weeks.

However, it has proven to have deep pockets when it comes to talent, proven last week against the Demons.

It was Jacob Carger who led the charge on Saturday as he put in a consistent four-quarter performance and earned praise from his coach.

“I thought his four quarters were great,” Gallio said.

“He went forward and kicked three goals and steadied us a bit.

“It was a real captain’s game and he led from the front for us.”

Kade Varcoe and Josh Werchon continued their strong seasons to be named in the best again, while Dylan Tincknell was solid in his return.

Tincknell missed last round due to Covid, but his work both in defence and on the ball earned him a place in the best players.

Gallio also credited Zac McGuinness who was solid in defence, with the entire back six standing tall under the pressure of that fourth term.

Casterton Sandford looked to the services of its experienced heads on Saturday.

Dylan Ayton pushed hard off the half back line to drive the ball forward and after a consistent start to the season, raised his game to another level to be named best on ground.

Diarmid Cleary and Tom Foster were also impressive, while Billy Galpin, Ed Pritchard and Hamish McCrae upheld their solid form.

Galpin led the Cats on the scoreboard with two goals and joined Carger as the only two multiple goal kickers for the day.

The Cats will take confidence from the intensity they brought to McLaughlin Park and will look for a similar output against the Bulldogs this weekend.

For the Saints there will be some work to do on the training track to ensure this week’s clash against West Gambier does not provide an upset.