James Murphy
EAST GAMBIER 13.8 (86) d CASTERTON SANDFORD 8.2 (50)
THE drought has been broken with East Gambier winning its first A Grade football match since Round 4 of the 2022 season.
The Bulldogs made the cross-border trek to play Casterton Sandford at Island Park on Saturday and returned home with the points for Round 12.
They kept the Cats at arm’s length for the duration of the contest and extended their lead at every change on the way to a 36-point win.
Co-coach Keith Ransom was pleased with his team’s efforts and said it was good to see their recent good form produce a win.
“We were close over the last six weeks with five games under 10 points,” he said.
“(The boys) were pushing themselves to get over the line and it was good to finally make it happen.”
East opened the match with a three-goal first quarter to set up a handy 14-point lead by the first break.
The Cats settled in the second and managed to add three goals in an effort to bridge the gap, but the Bulldogs kept them at bay with four majors of their own.
“We stayed ahead of the game in those first three quarters, by about two to three goals,’ Ransom said.
“I think we got as far as five goals up in the third quarter, but then Casterton came out and went bang bang in the last quarter.
“We changed a few things up leading into the last quarter because we seem to fade out.
“We ran a lot of people through interchange and got those fresh legs on which paid off.
“We got those goals back and I don’t think they scored any after that and we ended up winning the game by six goals.”
In a day where the young team was led by its experience, co-coach Jake Dowdy was named best-on-ground on the day.
“He doesn’t like getting his name in there, but I told him I was picking them and he was getting it,” Ransom said.
“It was the best game he has played for the club.
“He was really strong back there in defence and rallied the boys down there.”
Frazer Scanlon was also in top form and featured highly for his efforts, while Sam Couldrey, Reece Lillecrapp, Ky McCracken and Sam Lock were also among the best.
Lillecrapp slotted two goals to complement his performance, while the leading scorers on Saturday were Riley Flamank and Mark Rumbelow.
The powerhouse duo bagged three majors each in solid performance up front.
“Mark Rumbelow finally got back on the board with three goals,” Ransom said.
“We have been playing him in different roles, but he played more down forward (on Saturday).
“And Riley Flamank is a kid for the future and kicked three great goals at the right time.”
Ransom credited a whole-team effort to the win, with no weak links on the day.
“Giancarlo Cooper, Sean Lock and Nick Lock has been sensational since he has been on the ball and Sam Lock played a ripper of a game,” he said.
“You can’t go past the Lock boys.
“Then Luke Johnston on his wing and Keenan Dwyer – they all performed.
“It was a team effort and that is what we have been after all year.”
For the hosts it was once again new recruit Michael Kreiger who impressed and he received the best-on-round honours.
Alastair McCrae was another standout for his efforts in the ruck, while defenders Jarrod O’Brien and Matt Killey made sure East’s goals did not come easily.
All eight majors came off a different boot on the day with no key target in the forward line.
Looking to next round and East faces a challenge at home against West Gambier, while the Cats will play an important match against South Gambier.
