James Murphy
WEST GAMBIER 16.12 (108) d NORTH GAMBIER 7.6 (48)
FACED with a shortened turnaround and a tough opponent, North Gambier was unable to match West Gambier Round 2 of Western Border football.
The Tigers entered the clash high off an Anzac Day win over the Demons and with the home-ground advantage at Vansittart Park.
However, the Roos are a hard nut to crack this year and their fresher legs proved the difference.
They bounded away to a 60-point triumph, with an 11-goal second half putting the result out of doubt.
New recruit Braiden Ousey was in explosive form and his height and contested marking ability was showcased throughout the match.
He finished with a bag of six goals and the best-on-ground honours, leading West to another big win.
However, it was not all West’s way and North held the upper hand at the first change.
The hosts led by 11 points heading into the second, but it was then the Roos started making statements.
A 4.4 return from West pushed it out to a lead which would not be given up, while the Tigers added just one behind for the quarter.
It was only a 16-point game at half time and still winnable for either team, but the Roos extended their lead to sit in the box seat at three-quarter time.
They scored the first two goals of the half before Sam Stafford replied for North with back-to-back majors.
However, when Ousey slotted his second for the quarter it started a chain reaction.
Fellow Kalangadoo recruit Andrew Stone had a piece of the action with a goal, followed up by a Callum Wagstaffe major to put the margin out to 35 points.
More of the same followed in the fourth as West added six goals to North’s two, keeping the hosts out of reach until the final siren.
Ousey’s efforts were complemented by the likes of Joseph Ferguson-Lane, Lawry Bradley-Brown and Kyle Giddings up the ground, while Michael Minuzzo and Todd McPartlan rounded out the best.
Ben Papps and young-gun Mitchell Cornolo backed Ousey’s efforts in front of goal with the pair slotting three and two respectively.
The Tigers looked to the first point of contact as their best on the day, with Mitchell Kelton putting in a big workload in the ruck against West coach Daron McElroy.
Cameron Ortelepp backed up his Anzac day efforts for another second-best performance, while Josh Jenner and Stafford also featured highly.
Dale Bachmann took some daring marks up forward for the Tigers and was recognised for his bravery, with youngster Tyler Harris rounding out the best.
North will now look forward to a full week’s rest in preparation for another big game against reigning premier Millicent.
The Roos head across town to play a winless East Gambier at the “Kennel”.
