James Murphy
NORTH GAMBIER 9.7 (61) d WEST GAMBIER 5.7 (37)
NORTH Gambier’s Western Border football finals campaign remains alive after a 24-point win over West Gambier.
Saturday’s elimination final clash at Malseed Park brought with it high expectations, after close encounters in their previous meetings.
However, after a close opening half, which rewarded the Tigers a one-point lead at the long break, the Roos were held to a single goal for the next two quarters.
The match started as a goal-for-goal affair.
The Roos were first out of the blocks, but from there the two sides traded blows.
Consecutive goals were not recorded until Dale Bachmann kicked his first of two majors with around 10 minutes left in the quarter.
That kickstarted a good run for the Tigers and they used the slight breeze to pile on another two goals before quarter time.
Ciaran Buckley pushed out of the backline to convert, before a trademark leading mark and goal from Justin McConnell wrapped things up just before the siren.
The Roos pushed back in the second term and reeled the margin in to a point by the long break.
However, North swung a couple of changes at half time and slowed the game down to take back control.
“We played a really solid second half,” North Gambier coach Ben Hardy said.
“I was just really proud of the boys and their efforts to be able to switch a couple of things and do that.
“West is a very good run-in side and I felt like we were getting caught up in their speed.
“We just wanted to try and compose the ball a little bit and move the ball the way we wanted to forward and take our chances.”
Hardy said the goal from Round 1 was to push deep into finals again this season and the Tigers will now find themselves playing in consecutive preliminary finals in a couple of weeks.
“I was really happy with the result,” Hardy said.
“Except for probably the second quarter, I think we put together three really solid quarters of footy together.
“All the areas that we look at dominating, I felt like we did.”
With the backline settled throughout the match, the midfield was also tasked with a defensive mindset, which gave little room to move for West attackers.
However, it was through the middle where North was able to break open the game and the efforts from Hamish Telford were rewarded with the best-on-ground honours.
“From the first bounce I could just tell he was on,” Hardy said.
“His run and spread from stoppage was just fantastic and his ability to no drop any marks in the wet was outstanding.
“I was really pleased to see him have a great day.
“He and Mitch Kelton just set the tone for the whole day.”
Kelton played the full match in the ruck in the absence of Brett Kennedy to injury.
Up against West coach Daron McElroy, it was no easy task, but one he was up to on the day.
“He played the whole game in the ruck against who I believe is the best ruck in the competition,” Hardy said.
“To win centre clearances 13 to three, I was really proud of him to be able to stand up in a big game like that.”
Down the business end of the ground, Bachmann proved his diversity again as he played full forward and snagged two goals.
It was an impressive feat for someone who has spent the bulk of his season in defence.
Sam Stafford also slotted two for the Tigers, both in the opening term, while Jordan Williams got his boot to a couple for the Roos.
Dylan Munn was another standout for North, while Bradley Adams and captain Nick McInerney rounded out the best.
For West, Dale Robbins was best on, while Taylor Redden was another standout.
Ethan and Kyle Giddings put in hard working performances, while Jesse Pfitzner’s defensive efforts did not go unnoticed.
The Roos will now turn attention to next year, while for North a preliminary final meeting with either South Gambier or Millicent looms large.
The two will contest this week’s qualifying final, with the loser to play the Tigers for the final spot in the season decider.
As for who they will play, Hardy predicts the Saints may have the slightest edge.
“I think Millicent will maybe just come out on top,” he said.
“We are ready to take whoever it is, but it is going to be a great semi-final to watch (tomorrow), that’s for sure.”
