North Gambier v South Gambier
Finals began in the Western Border Football league and the season has ended for one of the teams knocked on Saturday.
Finishing third place at the end of the home and away season North Gambier hosted fourth placed South Gambier and the Tigers showed why it finished above the Demons in an exciting finals clash.
North Gambier came out of the gates firing on all cylinders in the opening quarter, asserting its dominance early.
South Gambier struggled to respond to North Gambiers hot start and the home side established a significant first quarter lead.
North Gambiers first quarter saw it put a foot in the door to a preliminary final scoring a massive 7.1 43 to South Gambier’s 1.2 8 at the end of the first quarter.
North Gambier had control of the midfield and South Gambier needed to find answers at the first break.
South Gambier mounted a fightback in the second quarter, but the homeside would do just enough to keep the Demons at arm’s length.
Youngster Jed Sims kicked two consecutive goals in the second quarter to help the demons get within 22 points.
The first half finished with South Gambier trailing by 21 points having fought its way back into the match.
North Gambier came out with a point to prove in the third quarter.
Toby Dewitt kicked the first goal of the quarter to settle the Tigers nerves after a big South Gambier quarter.
Then the rest of the third term belonged to Sam Stafford who dominated in the forward fifty with the Demons having no answers to stop him.
Stafford kicked four goals in the quarter, giving North Gambier a strong lead going into the final term.
The score stood at 95 to 48 in favour of North Gambier at the end of the third quarter.
South Gambier gave its all with the Demons’ season on the line.
However, North Gambier held its ground, DeWitt found the goals once again to open the scoring in the final term and put his side 53 points in front.
South Gambier fought hard, but North Gambier’s lead was too big and the Tigers would hold on at home to keep its season alive.
In the end, North Gambier won the first final with a final score of 109 to 88.
Toby de Wit, Nick McInerney, Sam Stafford, Brett Shepherdson, Mitchell Kelton, and Jake Schutz were outstanding for North Gambier playing crucial roles in keeping its season alive.
For South Gambier, Mitchell Sims, Mitchell Harrold, Elliott Fisher, Chris Fallas, and Jed Sims were the best players in a disruption finals loss.
Sam Stafford would finish with five goals for the game, while best on ground Toby Dewitt was unstoppable kicking eight majors for the match, kicking his side into a preliminary final against the loser of Millicent vs West Gambier.
For South Gambier its a disappointing end to an encouraging season, after losing so many players the youngsters stepped up and managed to get the Demons a finals appearance which has the future looking bright.
