James Murphy
WEST GAMBIER 9.10 (64) d NORTH GAMBIER 5.7 (37)
IT all came together for West Gambier on Saturday as the Roos kept their 2024 Limestone Coast football season alive with a solid win over North Gambier.
The scenario was simple on the day – win the first semi-final and progress to the preliminary final, lose and back your bags for the year.
The Roos had the confidence of winning their last match up with the Tigers, while North had hit its straps in recent weeks and looked to be in top form.
However, on the day it was West which proved the better side.
A breeze favoured one end throughout the day but the first quarter remained a tight tussle.
North had three behinds, while West managed to find the middle of the big sticks once, along with a minor score to carry a slim four-point lead into the break.
The Roos kept the scoreboard pressure on in the second quarter, but struggled with accuracy.
They converted two goals from seven scoring shots and at the main break held a 13-point advantage in what was so far a low-scoring clash.
North added one goal for the term but upped its output after half time with a four-goal quarter tightening the match up.
The two teams traded blow and much of the third term went goal-for-goal.
Andrew Stone was looking threatening for the Roos, while Brandon Newton also made his mark on the scoreboard on his way to a game-high three goals.
The Tigers had used the wind advantage well, but was still unable to seize the lead with two West goals coming against the breeze.
That set up a difficult task heading into the final stanza.
As it unfolded it became clear a comeback was not on the cards, with three early goals from the Roos sealing the deal.
Jordan Williams opened the quarter with a majors, before consecutive goals to Brooklyn Winterfield put the scoreline out to 58-34.
One more West goal would come for the day, while all the Tigers could muster was three behinds for the quarter.
The result was a 27-point win to the Roos and a ticket into the preliminary final in two week’s time.
Stone had quite the highlight reel on the day, with some strong plays in front of goals earning him two majors.
He also set up some key plays with runs down the wing and pinpoint passes into the forward 50.
However, it was Braiden Ousey who impressed most.
Ousey was a force in the ruck and his efforts at stoppages and around the ground were first class.
Mitch Larsson was another solid contributor, while Lawry Bradley-Brown put in a trademark tough on-ball performance.
Brody Virgo and Alex Pearson rounded out the best players in a positive performance from the Roos.
Topping the goal kicker’s list was Newton, who had entered the clash in red-hot form.
He came off three best-on-ground performances – which together yielded 21 goals – and impressed in front of goals again on Saturday with three.
Stone was joined by Jordan Williams and Winterfield with two each.
For North it was Dale Bachmann who earned the best-on-ground honours, while Jake Schutz was solid in defence all day.
West was able to shut down the Tigers’ usual goal magnets and Stephen Sochacki was the only player to kick double figures with two major scores.
Sam Stafford played well, while Brett Shepherdson joined Sochacki in rounding out the best players for the match.
West will now meet either South Gambier or Millicent, depending on the result of this Saturday’s qualifying final.
