West Gambier secured a comfortable 79-point victory over Casterton Sandford in the first round of the Western Border season.
The Cats made the trip to Malseed Park aware the Roos would prove a challenge.
Casterton Sandford was kept scoreless in the first quarter with West strong in defence.
West’s captain Lawrence Bradley-Brown opened the scoring, and West controlled the rest of the quarter finishing 3.3 for a 21 point lead.
Casterton Sandford provided some fight back in the second quarter, booting three straight goals.
West Gambier still found ways to score, adding another 13 points to the Roos’ quarter time total.
West held a 16 point lead at half-time and in the second half blew Casterton Sandford away.
The third quarter provided more tough contests between the sides, but the Roos kicked away from the Cats.
While the Cats gave it their all they were only be able to muster three goals to West’s three in the premiership quarter, resulting the final quarter being a mere formality.
Casterton Sandford could only score three points in the final term to West Gambier’s six.
Come the final siren West Gambier was 79 points in front, a masterful display that will send a message to the rest of the league, with the score 119 (17.17) defeating Casterton Sandford 40 (6.4).
The best players for West Gambier were Andrew Stone, Michael Minuzzo, Brandon Newton, Thomas Holmes, Ben Papps and Daron McElroy.
Stone and Newton were particularly influential on their debut for their new side, each scoring a goal and providing valuable assistance to their teammates.
For Casterton Sandford the best players were Diarmid Clear, Damian Wombwell, Matt Killey, Alastair McCrae, Hamish McCrae and Michael Krieger.
However, their efforts were not enough to overcome West Gambier’s strong performance.
West Gambier’s Papps kicked three goals and was a consistent presence throughout the match.
The win takes West Gambier to the top of the Western Border Football League ladder, while Casterton Sandford falls to fourth place with the potential of finishing the round in the wooden spoon position dependent on today’s Anzac Day results.
