South Gambier managed to taste some seniors success over Millicent on grand final day when its Reserves side showed its class in the curtain raiser.

However, it was not all smooth sailing for the Demons after they were slow to come to terms with the big occasion.

The red and white were at significant risk of losing their first game of the season at the worst moment as the Saints marched to a two-goal lead before quarter time.

The experienced Mitch Reilly and Joe Walker gave Millicent the perfect opportunity of scoring an unlikely triumph, but it proved to be a false dawn.

It soon became the South show with club veteran Brent Howard throwing himself at every contest with Chris Fallas, Robert Hein and best and fairest Luke Foran at close quarters.

But the man who made the biggest impact in the performance was Charlie Fisher.

Fisher proved why he is the competition’s leading goalkicker by presenting himself brilliantly up forward to collect a bag of five on the grand day.

Despite trailing at the first break, the Demons methodically went about their business to record what proved to be a comfortable 21-point win.

The ever-reliable Hein collected the best-on-ground honours, while victorious coach Nick Patzel said it was a reward for hard work.

“Millicent threw it to us all day, but it has been a great season for us and I am lost for words,” he said.

“Thank you to our partners and wives to allow us to get to those extra training sessions because it has been a hard-working year.”


South Gambier 5.14 (44) d 
West Gambier 4.7 (31)

Inaccuracy threatened to derail South Gambier’s charge to a fourth straight Under 18’s flag, but the side’s tenacity shone through to spoil West Gambier’s dream of winning a premiership on home turf.

Both sides battled to find the big sticks in the windy conditions and especially the Demons, who missed all five scoring shots in the first term.

Despite the best efforts of Ethan Giddings and Aaron Ramsey, the Roos could not hold onto their advantage for long as South recorded the slightly better ratio of two goals, five in the second term.

The battle for the Sherrin was a hot one as the rivals threw everything at each other for the chance of claiming one last piece of juniors’ silverware.

The premiership quarter was goal for goal which meant both sides were more than interested at the final change with South holding an 11-point lead.

In the end, the gritty efforts of Max Lookwood, Jack Domaschenz and best-on-ground Ethan Sims through the midfield held the Roos at bay.

Demons’ coach Duncan McGregor said it was a tough win.

“West made us fight for every possession and the game did not go to plan, but we got the job done,” he said.


North Gambier 5.4 (34) d South Gambier White 1.3 (9)

Grand final day opened with a boil over after North Gambier knocked over South Gambier White in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Demons had secured the minor premiership and won the previous two battles with the yellow and black, but were overwhelmed by a Tigers side ready to play when it mattered most.

Overnight rain and a wet playing surface initially got the better of both sides who struggled to find much freedom moving the ball in the cold air.

After the scorers were untroubled in the first term, Esaie Kulimusi brought the game to life with two quick-fire goals from nowhere.

Suddenly North was in the box seat enjoying a 21-point lead at the main break.

South White had a long road ahead, but Jacob Salmon was a standout keeping spirits high with numerous inspiring efforts around the ground.

He scored a goal in the third term, but that proved to be his team’s only goal of the game as the Tigers were rewarded with a 34-9 victory.

Classy onballer Aaron Dally kicked a goal and was rewarded with the best-on-ground medal for his efforts.

North coach Craig Turner said he was pleasantly surprised with his side’s performance.

“That was an unbelievable effort from the team,” he said.

“I am a little bit surprised after being a bit grumpy from training on Thursday, but it was a great team effort and the best of the year.”


South Gambier Red 5.8 (38) d South Gambier White 4.9 (33)

The intra-club battle between South Gambier sister sides Red and White proved to be a classic fight for the Under 16’s flag and did not settle until the final siren.

Conditions initially got the better of the rivals with no goals scored in the entire first quarter before the Demons’ duel dramatically shifted gears.

The momentum and lead swung from the White to Red side of the fence multiple times for the remainder of the game.

With the help of Mitchell Harrold and Joel Bryant South White hit the lead first by scoring the opening goal two minutes after quarter time before Red seized control with a third-term blitz.

Lochlan Thiele and Rex Jones were pivotal behind South Red’s resurgence, while a change of positions proved fruitful for Liam Delaney.

But the player who made the biggest impact on the result was towering youngster Jared Kuhl.

After South White cut the lead back to less than a single kick, Kuhl was pushed into the backline and the move was decisive.

Ruckman Kuhl stood tall as the last line of defence shutting down White’s last-gasp forward entries to ensure Red held on by five points.

He received top individual honours for his top performance, while premiership coach Darren Keding said he enjoyed the battle.

“Matt and the entire White team have been pretty close to us all year, so commiserations, but it was an awesome effort from the Red boys,” he said.