James Murphy
SOUTH GAMBIER 7.16 (58) d EAST GAMBIER 6.12 (48)
SOUTH Gambier overcame a less-than-ideal start to record its first win of the 2023 Western Border football season against a visiting East Gambier on Saturday.
The Round 5 clash was destined to reward one team with its inaugural win of the year, with both struggling across the opening rounds.
It was not a smooth start to the game for the Demons and despite creating plenty of opportunities, the big sticks remained elusive.
As such they had six behinds on the board by the first change to trail by three points.
The trend continued in the second term and South added another six behinds with no major reward.
Meanwhile the Bulldogs added two-goals-two and at the main break they remained in front by 11.
The Demons entered the changerooms at half time with plenty to address and when they opened the third quarter with a minor score, the pressure was on.
East scored the first goal for the term, but South was finally rewarded when Rex Jones took a strong mark and converted for the host’s first goal of the game.
Coach Brayden Kain followed up with a second goal soon after and suddenly the momentum started to build.
That was momentarily interrupted during a scuffle which had a yellow card dealt to both teams, but eventually Kain bagged his second to put the Demons within three points.
At three-quarter time the home team trailed by two points and held strong momentum heading into the last period of play.
They carried that into the final stanza and a four-goal-to-two quarter pushed the Demons in front for a 10-point win.
With the accuracy troubles up front it was not at all surprising to see a defender named as South’s best, with Taylor Saffin earning the mantle for the second time this year.
Oliver Thomson was also solid, while Hugh Winterfield, Kyle and Rex jones and Luke Foran rounded out the best.
Riley Flamank was the standout for the Bulldogs and he finished up with four goals and the best-on-ground honours.
Tully Balshaw was another valuable contributor, as was John Forster and Carl Slape, with Reece Lillecrapp and Keenan Dwyer capping off the list.
South faces a Round 1 rematch with North Gambier this weekend, while East travels to face an undefeated Millicent at McLaughlin Park.
