By Lachlan Onions
WEST GAMBIER 17.17 (119) d CASTERTON SANDFORD 6.4 (40)
WEST Gambier sent a statement to the rest of the competition when it dismantled Casterton Sandford in style in the opening round of Western Border football.
The Roos dictated terms early and kept the visitors scoreless in the first term at Malseed Park.
Despite the early dominance, West only took a 21-point lead at the first break.
“It was a bit frustrating to be honest,” West Gambier coach Daron McElroy said.
“We only got three goals but we had the ball in our hands or in our forward line for 90 per cent of the quarter.
“It would have been nice to score a few more goals but it was pleasing to see them not score.”
The Cats showed some fight in the second term and kicked three goals straight to reduce the deficit to just 16 points at half time.
As a result, McElroy made some minor changes at the break to hold off the visitors.
“We changed a few things at half time and then everything went our way,” he said.
“I think being the first game for the year, everything is scrappy and nervous and it took a while to get gelling.”
However, once the Roos began to gel, they surged and added six goals in the third quarter to take a 76-37 lead at the final change.
From there, it was all one-way traffic as the Cats were held to just three minor scores in the last stanza, while the hosts added another six majors to storm home and claim an emphatic 79-point win.
Michael Minuzzo and Ben Papps led the way for West in the forward line with three goals each, while Callum Wagstaffe and Jordan Williams both added two majors.
The quartet were supported by seven other players who all kicked one goal each throughout the game.
Andrew Stone, Michael Minuzzo and Brandon Newton were named the best three players for West, while Diarmid Cleary, Damian Wombwell and Matt Killey led the way for the visitors.
“Everyone played their role and did their job, which is all I ask for the boys,” McElroy said.
“I am not about having two or three guys being really good every week, I am more about 22 blokes all doing their thing.
“Our new guys were really good, Stoney (Andrew Stone), Toolbox (Brandon Newton) and (Brayden) Ousey.
“Special mention goes to the backline – on Thursday night we spoke about how young some of them were but they just stood up and did a great job back there.
“There is obviously some things to work on but as far as the start of the season goes, that was pretty good.
“We will just keep building and will take it one week at a time.”
