James Murphy
UNDER 18 – WEST GAMBIER 9.11 (65) d MILLICENT 9.5 (59)
THEY were pushed to the line, but the Under 18 Roos will progress to the Under 18 Western Border football preliminary final.
Up against Millicent in must-win semi-final battle on Saturday, a back-and-forth match unfolded.
The Saints were off to a steady start and booted two goals to West’s one in the opening term.
The Roos hit back in the second quarter with four goals to two, putting them up by eight points at the half.
Millicent’s Kobe Gibson was already making his presence known around the contest, while the likes of Sam Medhurst and Mitchell Cornolo were prominent for West.
A solid third quarter from the Roos laid the foundations for the win and they controlled the ball predominately in their forward half.
With seven scoring shots for the quarter, they converted just two, but still extended their hold on the game.
The Saints posted just one minor score for the term, trailing by 24 points heading into the last.
However, they refused to bow their heads and kept the pressure on their rival up until the dying moments.
Millicent had outscored West four goals to two and were within two straight kicks of sending the match into overtime.
The siren sounded and silenced the Saints’ hopes for a comeback, but with the final kick of the ball left to bounce through for a Millicent goal it ended as a six-point win for the Roos.
Medhurst was best for West and equal top scored with two goals.
Cornolo was another who impressed, while Zac Hopgood, MeeReh Htoo, Talon Johnson and Addison Noble also earned a mention.
Brooklyn Winterfield snagged two goals for the Roos as well, while for the Saints Harry Gibbs and Cambell Hateley kicked multiples.
Gibson was the top performer for Millicent with his silky skills and hard tackling around the contest.
Blake Werchon, Teej Lawlor, Ashton Lindner and Jett Werchon rounded out the best.
West will now face the loser of the South Gambier v North Gambier qualifying final, with another must-win battle for a ticket into the decider.
