James Murphy
West Gambier 13.10 (88) d North Gambier 8.4 (52)
THE Roos have earned themselves a buffer in fourth place after an upset win over North Gambier on Saturday.
West Gambier entered Round 12 of Western Border football level on wins with Casterton Sandford and holding onto fourth on percentage alone.
However, after a three-quarter arm wrestle with the Tigers, a blitz in the final stanza broke the game open and the Roos claimed a 36-point win.
That puts them level on wins with North and one victory clear from the fifth-placed Cats after their loss to Millicent.
It sets up a scenario which certainly adds some intrigue to the final four minor rounds, as things tighten up outside the top two.
The Roos held the lead at every break, but never by much.
After a half of football just one point separated the two sides, before West edged out slightly to a four-point lead at the final change.
A six-goal-to-one fourth term sealed the deal, as the Roos flipped the game on its head.
West coach Daron McElroy opened the goal ledger for the term before Jordan Williams received a good delivery and went back to convert.
North answered with a quick goal, but from then on it was all West.
Lawry Bradley-Brown put in yet another best-on-ground performance and he was crucial in the last quarter.
His ability to take control of the ball and shrug off any opposition saw him regularly deliver it into the forward line.
He also kicked three goals earlier in the game to keep his team in front.
Nathan Taylor also stepped up during the fourth term and two of his three goals for the day came when the game was there to be won.
The first was a long-range shot which bounced through the big sticks, before Reece Cowling popped up for his second.
In the space of a few minutes West piled on three goals and when Taylor scored his third from a strong mark taken right in front, the scoreline reached the final 88-52 margin.
Despite a competitive game, the Tigers had little answer to the Roos when it counted.
However, Justin McConnell was a highlight for the home team.
Was it not for his efforts coming out of the backline, the damage could have been even greater in the end.
His pace off half-back and delivery down the ground was impressive, but the West defence stood tall against all opportunities.
Lewis Lean was impressive again and it was an intercept from him down the wing which set up the final goal of the day.
He joined Bradley-Brown and Taylor among the best, while Joran Williams – who also bagged three goals – also earned a mention.
Kyle Giddings rounded out the best as he put in another hard working performance.
The Tigers looked to the experience of Ciaran Buckley down back again, along with Jordan Hollitt and Jake Schutz who were also strong in defence.
Through the middle Nick McInerney carried his usual intensity, while Jay Turner was also solid.
Looking forward and both teams face challenges against the top two sides this week, with the Roos travelling to Millicent, while North hosts South Gambier.
