James Murphy
MILLICENT 13.12 (90) d EAST GAMBIER 10.6 (66)
IN a fixture which had no effect on ladder positions, East Gambier put up a valiant fight against a visiting Millicent outfit in Round 15 of Western Border football.
The game between sixth and second opened as a goal-for-goal affair, before the Saints capped off the first quarter with a couple of unanswered goals to be up by 14 points at the first change.
However, as the wind advantage swapped hands in the second the Bulldogs were able to chip back the deficit with three goals to Millicent’s two.
At half time the game was still up for grabs with the hosts down by 10.
The Saints extended their lead in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs remained within reach.
However, an even fourth term on the scoreboard prevented a comeback and Millicent claimed the points by 24 after a hard battle.
“It was just one of those games where it was a real tight contest right to the end,” Millicent coach Clint Gallio said.
“We probably didn’t play our greatest footy and that was credit to them.
“Their pressure was outstanding and their tackling pressure was really good I thought.”
Following a nine-goal haul from Dylan Bromley the previous round, it was a more even spread for the Saints on Saturday.
Bromley was still a target and had plenty of opportunities, but finished with just the three goals on the day.
Sam Willis matched that feat, while Ty Lang and Nathaniel Robbins both kicked two.
It was the young brigade which stood up on the day and Kalan Shanks earned himself the best-on-ground honours for his defensive efforts on East’s Mark Rumbelow.
“We had some really good contributors and most of them were young boys,” Gallio said.
“Kalan Shanks did a really good job on Rumbelow, who is a quality player.
“For a 16-year-old kid to battle away like he did was really pleasing.
“Sam Willis, Kade Varcoe and Josh Werchon we thought were also really good over four quarters.
“They worked hard and got plenty of the footy.”
The Saints were without the services of Jacob Carger on the day, along with ruckmen Sam Waring and Finn Grimes, while young-gun Frazer Bradley was absent for state country commitments.
However, with finals just two weeks away, Gallio is confident Millicent will be at full strength come the business end of the year.
For the Bulldogs it was once again the efforts from youngster Shaun Lock which stood out.
His work rate and intensity through the midfield was superb, while fellow young-gun Jack Lawrence backed up a good performance last round with another solid game.
Goals were shared around for East as well, with Riley Flamank, Patrick Hatch, Rumbelow and co-coach Matt Scanlon all bagging two.
While it will be back to the drawing board for the Bulldogs as they play their final game of 2022 this weekend, Millicent faces a qualifying final preview against South Gambier.
