James Murphy
MILLICENT 15.8 (98) d SOUTH GAMBIER 10.9 (69)
IT was a much closer tussle than their Round 2 encounter, but Millicent has retained its undefeated status for 2023 with a second win over South Gambier.
The two teams traded blows throughout the first three quarters in a fast and free-flowing game, before reaching a stalemate in the fourth which handed the Saints a 30-point victory.
Millicent would have been pleased to start strongly with a five-goal term, meanwhile keeping the Demons to just three minor scores to be up by 30 at the first break.
However, South surged in the second and piled on five goals of its own to claw its way back in the contest.
Inaccuracies had the Saints score 1.5 for the term and as such they entered the long break with just a nine-point buffer.
That was addressed at half time and the visitors came out of the gates quickly and efficiently to kick a tidy six goals for the term and ultimately seal the win.
“It definitely set us up,” Millicent coach Clint Gallio said.
“We didn’t change too much, just a few rotations.
“I thought Hamish Nitschke and Dylan Tincknell really got us going.
“Then Sam Willis was really good up forward for us.”
Willis played a predominately forward role on the day and finished up with four goals and a mention in the best players.
“He played probably 80 per cent forward in that third quarter and got us some good looks,” Gallio said.
“Jack Verbena also got in some good spots and gave us some really good looks.”
South added 2.2 during this time which put the margin at 31 points heading into the last.
With the game still there to be won, an even fourth quarter unfolded with three goals at either end, leaving the Saints as the victors.
In the end Gallio was pleased to emerge on top after a four-quarter arm wrestle.
“Really happy to come away with the win,” he said.
“It was a really tough day for four quarters.
“I thought they used the footy really well and some of their pressure was really good.
“We had really good patches too, but just didn’t sustain them for long enough.
“Credit to both teams defensively and offensively.”
Kade Bradley continued his stellar season and was recognised for his hard work across the half back line as best on ground.
“He is just really consistent and a true competitor,” Gallio said.
“He doesn’t like getting beaten one-on-one or in a contest.
“He is one of those blokes you love having on your team because you know you are going to get 150 per cent out of him every week.”
Gallio is having a solid year himself and featured highly in the top performers for the sixth week running.
Willis led the scoring with his four majors and a mention in the best, while Jacob Carger, Sam Waring and Kade Varcoe also impressed.
Carger had two goals for the game, as did Verbena, with Frazer Bradley – another in-form Saint – scoring three.
For the Demons young-gun Elliott Fisher was the player to watch.
He led the attack with three goals, picking up the best-on-ground honours as well.
Nelson Forbes and coach Brayden Kain also had multiple majors with two each, while Mitchell Sims, Mitchell Harold and Sam McTaggart all had solid outings.
