James Murphy
MILLICENT 13.12 (90) d EAST GAMBIER 9.9 (63)
FOR the fifth round in a row East Gambier had a winnable game on its hands but stumbled when it counted most.
The Bulldogs hosted Millicent for Round 11 of Western Border football on Saturday in a battle between bottom and top.
However, you certainly would not have guessed it had you been unaware East had not won a game in 2023.
The hosts matched it with the reining premiers for the first three quarters, before the Saints proved why they hold top spot with a strong finish to secure the win by 27 points.
“It was a really good game of footy,” Millicent coach Clint Gallio said.
“Last time we played them they were a bit undermanned, so we knew this time it was going to be a tighter contest.
“To their credit they played some really good footy and put the pressure on.”
As such a strong first term from both sides had Millicent up by just seven points at quarter time.
East built on that foundation to turn the tide in the second quarter and in a good patch of play pushed itself out to a five-point lead before the main break.
After being held goalless for the term, the Saints surged in the third and when Frazer Bradley found the big sticks early he put Millicent back in front.
It looked as if the Saints would break away at that stage, but the Bulldogs continued to match their rival goal-for-goal.
Despite five Millicent majors for the term, the margin remained at just eight points heading into the final stanza.
It was then the tide turned and the Saints showed their superior fitness and experience as they broke away from their opponent.
A four-goal-three return pushed them out to a lead they would not give up and at the final siren they claimed their 10th win of the season.
Gallio credited the final quarter to the win, where a lack of experience from the young Bulldogs cost the hosts in the end.
“In that last quarter I thought we outran them a little bit and had a bit more experience and were able to capitalise going forward,” Gallio said.
Jacob Carger was a leading force for the Saints in what Gallio described as a good team performance.
Carger provided a vital link through the middle of the oval, while pushing forward for a couple of goals.
“I think it was probably his best game of footy for us this year,” Gallio said.
“He found a lot of the footy and kicked a couple of goals, while working hard both ways.
“There was no one area which stood out, I think it was just his overall four-quarter performance and getting back to help our defenders then linking up to get some good ball moving forward.”
The back line was another highlight on the day, with youngster Zac McGuinness recognised for his solid defensive efforts.
He matched up on Mark Rumbelow and kept the powerful forward to two majors, while ensuring the Bulldogs did not have easy access into their forward 50.
Down the other end Frazer Bradley was a highlight and he bagged a game-high four goals for the Saints.
Mitchell Reilly and Caleb Williams also impressed up forward with two each in a well-spread attack.
East looked to Reece Lillecrapp again and he put in his fourth best-on-ground performance for the year.
Nick Lock also featured highly again, as did brother Shaun, with the experience of ruckman Carl Slape, Matthew Scanlon and Rumbelow also earning mentions.
Riley Flamank continued to establish himself as East’s leading goal scorer, adding three majors to his tally to now have 18 for the season.
Nick Lock and Rumbelow added two each to show East has options up forward.
Next week the Bulldogs travel to Island Park to play Casterton Sandford in what they hope will be a drought-breaking win.
Millicent hosts South Gambier in what could be another good test for the Saints.
