Millicent has booked its ticket to the inaugural Limestone Coast Football Netball League grand final after downing South Gambier at Malseed Park on Saturday.
The Saints took the field against the Demons determined to make history, having achieved a three-peat in the last three seasons of the now folded Western Border Football League and looking to win the first premiership of the new league.
The weather conditions for the game levelled the playing field as the rain and wind combined for a tough contest.
Both sides started slowly in the opening quarter as they adjusted to the conditions, as the heavy surface made the going tough.
The Saints managed to get two goals on the board which boosted them to a six point lead, while the Dees only registered one major.
The standard of play picked up in the second term as both sides shook off their nerves and found their feet.
The Dees responded well, adding three goals to their tally as they worked to reduce Millicent’s lead.
Despite the solid quarter from South the Saints were able to keep up with the Dees as they too kicked three goals, heading into the half time break with a small four point lead.
The Saints continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over in the third quarter, refusing to allow South a sniff of taking the lead.
Millicent bagged four goals, keeping the Dees just out of reach as they only added two of their own.
With the third quarter in the books the Saints continued to control the game, heading into the final period with an 18 point lead.
Millicent continued to keep their foot on the pedal, kicking another two goals to pull away from South.
Despite their best efforts, South struggled to come up with a big final quarter, only kicking one goal in the term to eventually fall to the Saints by 27 points.
Millicent defeated South Gambier 11.11 (77) to 7.8 (50).
Millicent’s Harry Tunkin had a big finals performance, finishing as the side’s best with Billy Shanks also contributing largely to the victory.
The stage is now set for South Gambier to take on West Gambier in the preliminary final this Saturday at McLaughlin Park with the winner set to face Millicent in the grand final.
B Grade
South Gambier v West Gambier
South Gambier took on West Gambier in the B Grade second semi final with the Dees booking their spot in the grand final.
Both sides started slow in the opening quarter in tough weather conditions, with only one goal scored.
The Dees slotted the major, going into quarter time with a four point lead after some missed chances from the Roos.
South built off their small success in the second quarter, kicking three goals.
The Roos finally got going in the second term, slotting their first goal, but at half time the Dees held a 16 point lead.
West struggled in the third stanza, going goalless for another quarter.
South on the other hand continued to add to their lead as they kicked another goal.
Heading into the final term the Dees held a comfortable 22 point lead.
The Dees did well to hold their lead in the final period as they added another goal to the board.
West continued to struggle as goal kicking accuracy continued to plague them, only managing a single goal which helped seal South’s 21 point victory.
South Gambier defeated West Gambier 6.4 (40) to 2.7 (19).
South Gambier’s Lochie Thiele was a standout for the Dees while Mitchell Broome and Nick Patzel had a large impact, kicking two goals each in the win.
West Gambier will now face Millicent this weekend at McLaughlin Park as they both fight to make the grand final.
Under 17.5
North Gambier v South Gambier Red
North Gambier booked their ticket into the grand final on Saturday with a solid win over South Gambier Red at Malseed Park.
The Tigers came out strong in the opening quarter, kicking three goals while holding the Dees goalless.
North held a 20 point lead after the opening quarter.
The Dees responded well in the second term with two goals, but the Tigers kept their distance as they added another two of their own to be up by 21 at the main break.
In the third term the Tigers began to pull away, kicking two goals while restricting the Dees to only one in reply.
Going into the final term the Tigers held a 30 point lead.
The Tigers slowed down a bit in the last quarter, only managing the one goal. However they had done enough to hold off the Dees as they too only kicked a single goal in the fourth quarter which resulted in them falling to the Tigers by 30 points.
North Gambier defeated South Gambier Red 8.8 (56) to 4.2 (26).
North Gambier captain Deacon Ilsley finished as the side’s best, kicking four goals in the win.
South Gambier Red will now face East Gambier in the preliminary final at McLaughlin Park this Saturday.
