Millicent v West Gambier
In a gripping contest between the two ladder leaders in the Western Border Football League, Millicent hosted West Gambier during Round 15 in an important clash.
With the two sides set to meet in the first final with the double chance, the match provided both sides an opportunity to claim the mental edge ahead of the important finals fixture.
The first quarter had both sides giving their all to get an early lead with chances to score being hard to come by.
It was Millicent who claimed the early advantage, leading 8 to 1 at the end of the first quarter in a low-scoring clash.
Millicent then maintained control over the second term with the ball living in the Saints’ forward line after an early West Gambier goal.
The Saints then added two more goals to its score to extend the lead to 13 points at half time.
The Roos came to play in the third quarter and the reigning premiers struggled to find an answer.
Both sides missed opportunities keeping the match alive, with Millicent only able to score the three behinds for the term while West Gambier kick seven behinds to pair alongside its three goals.
As the tension escalated, it all came down to the final quarter where both teams pushed the limits.
West Gambier went into the final term with a nine-point lead after enduring a tough first half of football.
Millicent fought hard in the final quarter, however West Gambier players give it their all which proved just enough to match Millicent for the quarter to get the visitors over the line.
The nail-biting finish sets the sides up nicely for finals following the 39 to 42 scoreline at the final siren, boosting the Roos to the top of the Western Border table.
The best players for Millicent were Clinton Gallio, Sam Waring, and Hamish McRae, Dylan Tincknell, Kalan Shanks, and Harry Tunkin, while West Gambier’s standouts included Lewis Lean, Michael Minuzzo and Brandon Newton, who played crucial roles in securing the hard-fought victory alongside Kyle Giddings, Lawrence Bradley-Brown and Todd McPartlan.
West Gambier now sits atop of the Western Border Ladder, while Millicent slides down to second.
With one match left against East Gambier, the Roos look set to claim the minor premiership for the 2023 season and head into finals looking a real threat to Millicents aspirations of three-peat.
