James Murphy
SOUTH GAMBIER 5.5 (35) d KONGORONG 2.4 (16)
THE final minor round of Under 16 Limestone Coast girls’ football went as expected, with the opening match won by South Gambier over Kongorong.
It was always going to be a tough ask for the reigning premiers, who entered the round with just one win under their belt.
South on the other hand had a point to prove, coming off the back of a loss to Kybybolite the previous round.
The Demons opened the scoring and held an eight-point lead at the first change.
They doubled that score in the second term, but the Hawks fired back to keep the margin at eight heading into half time.
A low-scoring third quarter followed, with just three behinds recorded between both sides, before the game opened up in the final stanza.
South booted three goals during that period and while Kongorong chipped one back of its own, it could not stem the flow.
When the final siren sounded the Demons had pushed out to a 19-point lead, which safely secured it a third-place finish for the home-and-away season.
Jarrah Altschwager was the main damage dealer and she topped the scoresheets and South’s best players with three goals.
Sophie Wight, Lucy Pridham and Lilah Rowe also played well for the victors, while Pridham managed to find the big sticks on one occasion.
The Hawks looked to vice captain Stevie Collins on the night and she was named as their best-on-ground.
Lacey Hannaford, Vespa Scott and Addison Graney were also good, while Kyla Gordon, Lily Jacob and Graney all kicked a goal each.
NORTH GAMBIER 3.5 (23) d Kybybolite 1.2 (8)
A three-goal haul from Kaylee McNair helped North Gambier to a 15-point win over Kybybolite in the final minor round game of the season.
The second-placed Tigers were heavily favoured heading into the match, but Kyby made them work for their victory.
An early goal from Evie Koch gave Kyby a four-point lead at quarter time, but from there on North proved why it is a premiership contender.
A return of 2.2 in the second term leapfrogged the Tigers in front, while a quiet third quarter saw Kyby score a behind to chip the deficit back to eight points.
The match remained up for grabs in the fourth, but a third and final goal from McNair silenced any chance of a comeback and North secured its sixth win of the season.
McNair was named best on ground for her efforts, supported well by Stella Davis, Yenna Joyce and Hayley Pudney.
Jessica Cox was best for Kybybolite, with Stella O’Brien, Cleo Adams and Chloe Copping also among the frontrunners.
