The The F.L. Western Western WESTERNBORDERFOOTBALL&NETBALL 2023 SATURDAY2ndSEPTEMBER AGRADEFOOTBALL AGRADENETBALL V V 2ndSEMIFINAL@MILLICENT MILLICENT MILLICENT
SENIORS
North 7.1 10.1 15.5 17.7 (109)
Best - North: T. de Wit, N. McInerney, S. Stafford, B. Shepherdson, M. Kelton, J. Schutz; South: M. Sims, M. Harrold, E. Fisher, C. Fallas, J. Sims.
Goals - North: T. de Wit 8, S. Stafford 5, J. Mcconnell 3, D. Bachmann; South: B. O’Neil 3, J. Sims 3, E. Fisher 2, H. Fisher, H. Mitchell, B. Kain, E. Marks, H. Wright.
RESERVES
Best - South: J. Gazzard, C. OReilley, K. Chant, H. Keding, J. Harvey, L. Thiele; East: T. Balshaw, C. Barry, S. Balshaw, R. Clarke, T. Shepherd, J Donehue.
Goals - South: R. Sturges 2, C. Watson, S. King, H. Keding; East: R. Janeway 2, B. Humphries 2, T. Shepherd.
UNDER 18'S
Best - West: S. Medhurst, M. Cornolo, Z. Hopgood, MeeReh Htoo, T. Johnson, A. Noble; Millicent: K. Gibson, B. Werchon, T. Lawlor, A. Lindner, J. Werchon.
Goals - West: S. Medhurst 2, B. Winterfield 2, F. Kenseley, N. Davey, M. Cornolo, T. Johnson, MeeReh Htoo; Millicent: C. Hateley 2, H. Gibbs 2, B. Werchon, K. Gibson, Z. Ash, A. Lindner, J. Todd.
UNDER 16'S
Best - Casterton Sandford: S. Pa on, B. Kurzman, J. Jones, B. Mckinnon, A. Lane, E. Geary; West: B. Szopory, H. Croker, K. Stratman, J. Sim, L. Johnson.
Goals - Casterton Sandford: J. Rhook, J. Jones, E. Geary, D. Munro; West: L. Johnson 2, S. Fraser, H. Croker, O. Feetom.
Best - North: S. Baron, E. Brook, R. Hamilton, C. Harris, C. Blanck, E. Fle ; East: E. Clark, CJ Ligairi, J. Saunders, R. Grigg, A. Ferraro, T Croser.
Goals - North: E. Fle 2, J. Butler, I. Richards, E. Kulimushi; East: T. White.
Cast-Sand 1.0 2.0 2.1 4.3 (27)
South 1.1 3.3 5.3 5.5 (35) West 1.0 1.2 2.7 5.8 (38) UNDER 14'S East 0.3 0.3 0.3 1.4 (10) South 1.2 6.4 7.6 13.10 (88)
East 2.3 3.3 3.5 5.10 (40)
North 2.0 3.5 4.9 5.11 (41)
West 1.3 5.5 7.10 9.11 (65)
Millicent 2.1 4.3 4.4 9.5 (59)
F.L. Shop 1, 7 James Street Mount Gambier SA 5290 Phone: 08 87257582 F.L.
RESULTS
99 Jubilee Highway West, Mount Gambier SA 5290 Phone: (08) 8721 3400 www.barrymaney.com.au Sportswear, Casualwear, Workwear, Sports Equipment, Shoes, Trophies and So Much More 94 -96 Henty Street, Casterton phone 0437 683 052
BendigoBankSeniors
Reserves
XPRSAPPAREL.COM.AU custom apparel specialists www.boonaroo.com.au LEADING GOALKICKERS F.L. Name Club Total Sam Stafford North Gambier 40 Hamish McCrae Casterton Sandford 37 Michael Minuzzo West Gambier 19 Mitchell Reilly Millicent 19 Jordan Williams West Gambier 23
Frazer Bradley Millicent 41 Daron McElroy West Gambier 35 Jacob Carger Millicent 34 Riley Flamank East Gambier 25 Toby De Wit North Gambier 22 Brayden Kain South Gambier 21 Riley Wilson West Gambier 23 Ryan Rutkowski West Gambier 19 Ellio Fisher South Gambier 18 Michael Krieger Casterton Sandford 15 Mitchell Reilly Millicent 17 Ricky Killey Casterton Sandford 16
Riley Sturges South Gambier 25 Mark Rumbelow East Gambier 18 Shaun Lock East Gambier 15 Mitchell Sims South Gambier 15 Steven Duldig Millicent 32 Josh Schapel West Gambier 47 Joshua Peters Millicent 36 Sam Willis Millicent 19 Angus Urquhart South Gambier 25 Harry Gibbs Millicent 23 Name Club Total Reece McLaughlin North Gambier 23 Zayne Young North Gambier 21 Lachlan Ray South Gambier 16 Brooklyn Winterfield West Gambier 16 Nate Davey West Gambier 18 Harry Fisher South Gambier 16 U/18's Sebas an Doody North Gambier 27 Oliver McCracken East Gambier 26 Mason Ropi ni South Gambier 23 William A will South Gambier 41 Oakley Nicholls Millicent 29 Esaie Kulimushi North Gambier 40 Emerson Forbes South Gambier 18
Jace Maxwell South Gambier 46
Jobe Harten South Gambier 21 Jedd Rhook Casterton Sandford 18 Cambell Hateley Millicent 38 Owen Feetom West Gambier 25 Josh Vause South Gambier 28 Cruz Gibson Millicent 24 Aaron Dally North Gambier 24
U/14's
U/16's
South Gambier South Gambier
F.L.
White RESERVES PM 12.40 SEMI FINAL
Red &
Clint Gallio & Tom Renzi Assistant Coaches: Peter Duncan Reserves
Josh Peters 3 Noah Lang 1 Aus n Fuller 2 Kade Bradley (dvc) 4 Ty Lang 5 Clint Gallio 8 Sam Willis 7 Steven Duldig 6 Tyson McGrath 14 Mitchell Nitschke 24 Nathaniel Robbins 12 Tom Renzi 17 Kade Varcoe (dvc) 24 Sam Waring 14 Hamish Nitschke 10 Colby O'Connor 19 Harry Tunkin 25 Mitchell Reilly 20 Frazer Bradley 11 Jacob Carger (c) 18 Jack Verbena 9 Luke Ferguson 13 Hamish McRae 16 Mathew Withers 15 Dylan Tincknell 22 Kalan Shanks 23 Micah Rupcic 21 Jaxon Cushion 27 Aidan Schultz 28 Harry Willis 38 Brad Tilley 42 Dylan Shanks 44 Will O'Connor 30 Caleb Williams (vc) 34 Hamish Reilly 26 Jacob Todd 35 Adam Lindner 29 Finn Grimes (dvc) 32 Harry Gibbs 33 Josh Werchon 48 Zac McGuinness 45 Jed Haines 50 James Wa s 53 Blake Werchon 56 Thomas Chant 60 Joshua Peters 41 Clay Reilly 31 Tallan Dunn 54 Angus Wa s 46 Brad Smith 55 Tyrone May 47 Alex Wesolowski 36 James Fleming 39 Todd Craig 51 Patrick Jennings 37 Kobe Gibson
Coach: Daron McElroy Assistant Coaches: Nathan Lewis Reserves Coach: Nathan Lewis 9
MILLICENT Senior Coaches:
Coach:
Senior
Jordan Williams 3 Michael Minuzzo 14 Nathan Lewis
29 Daron McElroy
(Svc) 25 Jordy Coombe 6
36 Josh Schapel 10
19
22 Thomas Cleveland 26 Thomas Holmes 15
18
27 Mitchell Cornolo 2
28 Ben Papps 23 Alex Pearson 32 Brandon Newton
8
33 Brady Cook 21
11S
Davis 44 Jesse Hewe 66 Tom Dolan (Rc)
Aaron Nemes 42 Bana Say 41 Bronson Boult 38 Callum Wagstaffe 46 Darren Smith Shar Nay Than 40 Braiden Ousey 52 Ryan Rutkowski
2nd
16S
4 Taylor Redden 5 Kyle Giddings 20 Jack Carson
17 Jesse Pfitzner
Todd Mcpartlan
Andrew Stone 1R Jacob Rigney
Lawry Bradley-Brown (Sc)
Brody Virgo
Dale Robbins
Will Crook
11R Daniel Royals
Ethan Giddings 16R Tarkyn Morale
Riley Wilson 12 Luke Winterfield 7 Todd Lewis
Tre
60
1S Aden Pfitzner
V
Yellow
F.L. U/18'S AM11.10 SEMI FINAL 1 Harry Fisher 7 Liam Delaney 2 Nick Adams 9 Lochie Thiele 36 Cayde Watson 65 Mitchell Harrold 63 Will Boston 76 Nelson Forbes 85 Fletcher Lawson 53 Harry Mitchell 62 Angus Urquhart 64 Jed Sims 61 Max Whitehead 68 Conor Fielding 73 Rex Jones 74 Sam Sims 84 Lochie Broome 75 Jared Kuhl 66 Sam Domaschenz 67 Kobe Bannon 69 Addison Sims 78 Lochie Ray 71 Hudson Keding 79 Harry Wright Coach: Ma Ray Team Manager: 6 Ben Allsopp 9 Mackye Baron 23 Zach Nulty 29 Seb Doody 28 Deacon Illsley 35 Richard Kinybugma 5 Darcy Bryan 13 Angus Allen 14 Trae Hamilton 8 Jonty Collins 4 Hector Opie 7 Reece McLaughlin 46 Teangi Stephens 39 Josh Glidden 43 Maurice Goldsmith 85 Henry Haywood 51 Zayne Young 90 Jordan Millard 47 Darcy Arthurson 41 Jack Spark Coach: Kevin Bryan Team Manager: Kenneth Goodes
Gambier
VNorth
North Gambier
& Black
2nd
F.L. U/16'S AM 9.50 SEMI FINAL 1 Je Werchon 2 William Jennings 3 Teej Lawlor 4 Cur s Shanks 14 Cambell Hateley 24 Charlie Damhuis (vc) 46 Beau Douglas 53 Brodi Sims 7 Harrison Thwaites 9 Klaye Kenny 12 Dylan Sigston 15 Lenny Tunkin 44 Max Hunt 58 Cooper Todd 59 Louis Easterby 28 Harry Giggs 21 Adam Smith 22 Cur s Shanks 13 Sam Gronn 16 Zach Ash 19 William Wilson 20 Ashton Lindner (c) 57 Liam Cawood
Finn Grimes Team Manager: Brian Cawood
1 Rheyn Paterson 12 Merlin Hopgood 15 Noah Maxwell 25 Jack Walmsley 27 Charlie Lockwood 45 Harry Hicks 9 Archie Milich 8 William A will 30 Jace Maxwell 7 Emerson Forbes 21 lsaak Bouchier 36 Jordan Bartle 35 Max Lawson 4 Jake Richter 3 Mason Bentley 24 Lewis Sigley 10 Brody Fox 38 Cooper Medhurst 41 Finn O'Reilley 42 Jacob Salmon 43 Lachlan Cameron 44 Desire Kinyamba 29 Harrison Ellis
Luke Bentley Team Manager:
VCoach:
MILLICENT
Coach:
2nd
F.L. U/14'S AM8.30 SEMI FINAL
13 Ned Gazzard 21 Cooper Fear 11 Cruize McGregor 31 Jay Burns 3 Lee McTaggart 19 Isaac Salmon 36 Louis Fritsche 34 Patrick Sigley 37 Kur s Bentley 7 Oliver McCracken 69 Kobi Maxwell 80 Lachlan Moss 88 Sco McBain 65 Hunter Higgins 66 Henry Medhurst 67 Josh Vause 47 Brodie Jennings 72 Harrison Xanthopoulos 82 Chase Kilpatrick 62 Jobe Harten 64 Alex Nunn 68 Henry Ken sh 63 Joshua Hagge 43 Mitchell McCracken 71 Liam Cu ng 41 Hugh Bailey 70 Je A will 76 Truman Bryant Coach: James McGregor Team Manager: 51 Asha Gysbers 3
6
5
Thomas 19 Ryder Lindner 11 Logan Douglas 1
Gronn 18 Naite Thomson 22 Cur s Shanks (vc) 7 Lenny Tunkin (c) 24 Louis Easterby 42 Liam Millard 46 Ryder Stra ord 17 Sebella Coghlan 47 Cruz Gibson 55 Mitchell Tarrant 9 Klaye Kenny 10 Ari Robbins 30 Isabelle wilson 16 Oakley Nicholls 45 Tye Kovacs
Team
Megan Werchon
2nd
MILLICENT
Henry Damhuis
Levi Robbins 2 William Jennings
Brax
Jarvis
Coach: Nat Robbins
Manager:
V
FROMTHEARCHIVES
FOOTY:THEEARLYYEARS:WBFL1971
WESTFINALLYGRABFLAG
RoosbreakthroughforfirstWBFLflag
Marrettcreatesrecordasfirstnon-playingflagcoach
IN the pre-season leading up to the 1971 Western Border Football League season West Gambier had some difficult decisionstomake.
Captain-coach Bill James had ended a five-year stint as club coachafterarrivingfromVFLclubMelbournein1966.
In that time he had turned a team of “easy-beats” and moulded them into a class act who were ready to move into thetopbracket.
West’s underage teams had achieved a few premierships during the mid to late 1960s and the number of talented players West churned out in the early 1960s was a telling factorbytheendofthedecade.
These included centreman Barrie Hudson, wingman John Beaton, full forward John Madden and utility players Peter FallasandChrisYeates.
They complemented the recruiting of full back Ken Bellinger, ruckman and defender Barry Ward, former Glencoe star wingman Melville Childs, half forward Bruce Grubb, centre halfbackDeanThomasandbackpocketBarryHillstone.
Giant ruckman Bryan Wilkinson had already set a high standard during his time at the club after he arrived in about 1966.
West’s recruiters pulled off a coup in the lead-up to the season.
In 1970 they had picked up Carlton’s 1968 VFL premiership centre half forward Bill Bennett, who had fallen out with coach Ron Barassi but then convinced Bennett’s premiership teammate at former, rover Terry Board to join West. He had had finished a two-year stint as North coach and switched to Westasaplayer
ThisgavetheRoosanimpressiveline-upandforthefirsttime intheWBFLtheywerealikelyflagcontender
ButthebigquestionwaswhowouldreplaceJamesascoach?
James was an astute leader and his on-field leadership was firstrate.
He had agreed to continue as a player so his skills would not belostcompletely
West then announced a coach completely from left field and it surprised everyone when former Port Adelaide premiership ruckman and East champion coach and player PeterMarrettatage44,wasappointedasnon-playingcoach.
ItwasthefirsttimeaWBFLclubhadappointedanon-playing coachsincetheleaguestartedin1964.
MarrettcametoWestwithplentyofcredentials.
He arrived at East in 1955 where he coached and won a Mail Medal and league goal kicking and in-between coached SouthGambier
He retired in 1960 but had continued his links with football, becominganumpireandadministrator
TheMarrettappointmentgaveWestthebestoftwoworlds–firstly Marrett’s football nous and clever tactics would be complemented on-field by the leadership of Bill James who wasappointedcaptain.
West won their way into the grand final against East after defeating the highly fancied South Gambier in the preliminaryfinal.
East Gambier had appointed former Fitzroy forward and ruckmanGaryLazarusandfinishedintopposition.
It was the first time since the league began in 1964 that two MountGambierteamswouldbeopposedagainsteachother in a grand final, which was played at Coleraine’s Silvester Oval.
WITH G GRREEEENNWWOOOOD D
Perhaps because the match was played at Coleraine and there were no Victorian clubs in the senior grand final, the grand final had the lowest attendance since the league started in 1964. All the pre-match discussion centred around East’s tough man MaxJochinke.
Jochinke had been recruited earlier that year from Jeparit, Victoria, and had made a big hit in the league, in more ways thanone.
hisaccuratekickingkeptthescoreboardtickingover
Importantly, East went goal-less for the third term and were introubleatthelastchange.
West attacked again and again but could not put East away withYeates,BennettandStephensallmissingeasyshots.
His tough, aggressive play, either in ruck or at centre half forward had been the linchpin upon which East had risen to thetopoftheladder
Former East captain-coach Tracey Braidwood had agreed to play on under Lazarus and he gave East plenty of experience in the full back position with youngster Barry Stevens at centrehalfback.
WestalsohadformerGeelongcaptainand1963premiership ruckmanJohnYeatesinthesidetosupportWilkinsoninruck. Itwasanimposingline-up.
As the teams lined-up for the opening bounce West’s Barry Ward and East’s Max Johincke were seen exchanging words and a fewshoulder bumpsat centre half forward, then stood virtually eye-to-eye as the two heavyweights of each side triedtoasserttheirauthority
Going with the breeze Bill James soon took control around the packs aided by some fine ruck work by Bryan Wilkinson butWestfailedtomakeanyimpressionatfirst. Then Jochinke showed his talent with some fine marks and kickedtheopeningtwogoals.
John Yeates took a great grab in the goalsquare and then the highly-rated West half forward Bruce Grubb goaled from a long way out with massive torpedo punt to keep the Roos in the game and level the scores as the quarter time siren sounded.
West4.2,East4.2
Many claim it was the turning point in the game when in a tussle for possession in East’s forward line Jochinke fell in front of West back pocket Barry Hillstone whose knees cannonedintoJochinke’sback. He was in the hands of the trainers for some time but remained on the ground. At half time the ground announcer said: “Is there a doctor at the ground? Could they please make their way to the East Gambier change-rooms?
Everyone knew Jochinke was in trouble and cheers went up fromWestsupporters. Jochinkedidnotreturninthesecondhalf
In the meantime, in the second quarter West was clearly on top around the ball and across centre where John Beaton, Barrie Hudson and to a lesser degree Melville Childs were in control.
Brian Lane was having a close tussle with Childs but Beaton was running riot on the other wing and provided plenty of supply to Grubb whose aerial work and strong body work around the flank pushed West to a two-point lead at half time.
West8.3,East7.7.
Young East centre half back Barry Stevens was having a great tussle with Bill Bennett at centre half forward and this clash was worth the admission fee on its own as each player tried togaintheascendancy
With no Jochinke ahead of centre East were a little undermanned and West slammed on three quick goals to takeacommanding23-pointleadatthefinalchange.
Grubb had been in everything for West while Wilkinson and Yeates were now clearly on top of the East ruckmen David Clark,WigleyandGaryLazarus.
Rover Terry Board turned in his best game for the Roos and wasexplosiveinthefinalterm.
Across half back East had three good players in Zig Golebiowski,BarryStevensandIanJamesonwhorebounded timeandagainbuttheweightofnumberstoldintheend.
Even though he had his colours lowered by Stevens, Bennett tooksomegreatpressuremarks.
GrubbfinishedwithfourgoalswhileYeateshadtwo.
West11.11(77)dEast9.11(65)
BestforWestwasruckmanBryanWilkinson,notfaraheadof wingman John Beaton and half forward Bruce Grubb who was the best forward with four goals, while Bill James was tough in the clinches, Barry Hillstone was a consistent back pocket.
Beaton was probably the player of the finals series, playing dominant roles in the semi and preliminary finals to be West’s best in each game and then again turned on another topclassperformanceinthegrandfinaltobesecondbeston thegroundbehindWilkinson.
David Clark, Gary Lazarus still got plenty of the ball around the ground while Brian Lane took the honours on his centre wing.
Westhadwontheirfirstpremiershipsince1959–agapof12 years.
It was the first time a non-playing coach (Peter Marrett) had wonapremiershipintheWesternBorderFootballLeague. ManyexpectedittobethestartofaWestdynastybuthistory wouldproveotherwise.
•
West forward Bruce Grubb (number 3) and Bill Bennett (left) try to stop East centre half back Barry Stevens clearing the ball in the 1971 WBFL grand final. Stevens was a young local who did as well against Bill Bennett the Carlton 1968 premiership centre half forward. Stevens was fearless, lightly built but had great overhead judgement. He played in East’s1972premiershipthenswitchedtoSouthandplayedin theirlosing1973grandfinalside.Aseverebackinjuryin1974 endedwhatcouldhavebeenagreatfootycareer
MikeMcDonoughandPeterBarrytriedhardinattackforEast butHillstone,DeanThomasandWardwereallinfinetouchin defence. Yeates was also causing trouble in the forward pocket where
FOOTY JENS HOTEL
West11.7,East7.8
PHOTO:
RESULTS
A GRADE
North Gambier 52 (M. Renko. S. Mobbs) d East Gambier 40 (R. Henke, T. McCallum)
A RESERVE
North Gambier 66 (A. Bryan, N. Fox) d Casterton Sandford 51 (T. Broomby, D. Russell)
B GRADE
West Gambier 45 (D. Wombwell, C. Carraill) d South Gambier 42 (M. Glynn, S. Raedel)
C GRADE
North Gambier 48 (K. Egan, K, Quinn) d West Gambier 47 (E. Sutherland, I. McGregor) - OVERTIME
17 & UNDER
Casterton Sandford 53 (I. Lane, S. Richardson) d East Gambier 51 (A. Lines, J. Davis)
15 & UNDER A
West Gambier 51 (L. Pearson, S. Lindner) d South Gambier 48 (G. Dalton, C. A will)
15 & UNDER B
West Gambier 48 (H. Jackson, M. Vivian) d South Gambier 16 (L. Milich, S. Meier)
13 & UNDER A
West Gambier 39 (E. Povey, E. McKenny) d Casterton Sandford 33 (M. Robbins, G. Bailey) – IN OVERTIME
13 & UNDER B
Millicent 38 (L. Sunderland, L. Van Eeden) d West Gambier 21 (S. Riddoch, H, Jackson)
AGRADE–NORTHGAMBIERVEASTGAMBIER
East Gambier knew they had to get off to a strong start against North Gambier in the A Grade 1st semi finalandtheydidjustthat.
ItwastheBulldogsthatlookedse ledandcomposed in the opening minutes of the first quarter, working the ball with pa ence in a ack and applying good defensive pressure when they didn’t have the ball to forcetheTigersintoerror
Casey Horrigan dominated the opening term, ne ng 10 from 12 as she con nually fond space on the baseline, while the work rate of Tarsh McCallum was excep onal as east took mul ple passes to find a shoo ngop on.
At the other end, those scoring opportuni es were coming courtesy of some strong defensive work, par cularly from Morgan Amy, who played the front posi on on Grace Po s, forcing balls over the baselineandalsoge ngherhandsonsomemisfiring feeds.
But while the Bulldogs set up a four goal buffer early, by the first break, North had se led into their work –Noni McConnell winning the ball back late to see the scores edat10-all.
The second quarter was all about the Tigers and was basicallywherethegamewaswonandlost.
The16-9scorelinewascourtesyofNorthfindingtheir rhythm in a ack as well as ge ng in the groove defensivelyaswell.
Po s and Macey Griffith looked a different combina on in the second, a er a shaky opening quarter and their 16 from 19 was cri cal in se ng up whatwasamatchwinninglead.
East was s ll finding their goalers in good space, courtesy of McCallum’s hard running, and the willingness of Renee Henke and Horrigan to stay on the move to try and unse le McConnell and Stella Mobbs.
Mel Renko and Brianna Walters were also key in the resurgencefortheTigersastheyhitthecirclestrongly and passed into their shooters with pinpoint accuracy, while Lauran Norman was also key in transi on as she drove strongly through the mid court. The young wing defender also used her height to great effect when pressuring the feeds of the East midcourters.
East looked to rein in the deficit with changes at the half, bringing Sharna McKinnon into goal keeper, moving Amy to wing defence and Chloe Perryman intocentre.
A er a dominant first half from Walters, Amy did make the North wing a ack work harder for her possessions, and while Bo Creek started to find some turnoverball,Eastjustcouldn’teatintothatdeficit.
Po s was on song with 12 from 13 for the quarter, while east offered more rebounding opportuni es thantheyhadinthefirsthalfandMobbswasonlytoo happytoreelthemin.
East surged early in the last but the 11 goal Tigers advantagewastoomuchandintheend,againthanks to Renko’s hard running, Walters precise feeding and Macey Griffith working hard out the front of Po s, theTigersadvancedto thepreliminary finalwitha12 goalwin.
A RESERVE – NORTH GAMBIER V CASTERTON SANDFORD
It just wasn’t Casterton Sandford’s day in the A reserve 1st semi final. It started with a serious injury to star defender Sharna Fidler, saw accurate shooter PaigeMurrellforcedfromthecourtwithinjuryaswell which saw the half me scoreline basically pu ng victoryoutofreach.
It was a 16 goal buffer at half me as the Cats looked to patch together a combina on and while their
second half was on point, winning the third quarter by three ad only losing the last by two, the damage hadbeendone.
Filder’s loss was immense as she is the queen of the intercept and had built a strong working rela onship with Claire Foster and throwing that end of the court out of balance allowed the classy Tigers shoo ng combina on of Alisha Bryan and Alycia Pitson go to work.
Pitson shot 10 straight in the first quarter as North piled on 19 goals in the opening stanza, while in the secondquarteritwastheBryanshow–15from19as she posi oned strongly in the circle and by hal ime Pitsons llhadn’tmissed.
Having already been forced into plenty of changes in the first half, the Cats looked to find a way back by moving experienced campaigner Kerri harvey to centre, Emma Grigg to goal keeper, Foster out to goal defenceandGabyTomkinstowinga ack.
Those moves as well as Phoebe Carlin and Tori Broomby se ling into their new look shoo ng combina onsawtheCatswinthethird.
Fosterenjoyedthefreedomof goaldefenceand took some wonderful intercep ons, while Carlin provided a strong target and ne ed nine from 11, with Broombynotonlyfinishingwellwithsevenfromnine but also controlling the a acking end for the Cats –herleadershipprovinginvaluable.
The North defensive line of Riley Mitchell, Nat Fox and Ava Collins stepped up the pressure in the last and while Carlin and Broomby, who had swapped bibs at the last change, s ll hit the scoreboard, the Tigers did create turnover ball and with Bryan and Pitsoncon nuingtofinishaccurately,thepreliminary finalberthwassafelysecuredwitha66-51scoreline.
BGRADE–SOUTHGAMBIERVWESTGAMBIER
You always want to start well in a knockout final and South Gambier did just that in the B Grade 1st semi finalagainstWestGambier
The Demons shoo ng combina on of Sam Raedel and Mel Glynn were working well to open up space for each other and with Raedel conver ng six from eightandGlynnwithaperfecteight. Kylie Heaver was domina ng at wing a ack for West as she con nually found her goalers in good shoo ng range but by the first break, South had set up a four goallead.
The script reversed in the second, despite neither sidemakingnaypersonnelorposi onalchanges. A er an inaccurate opening quarter Caitlin Carraill and Elysha Collins converted 13 from 15 as West worked their way back to see a 23-all half me scoreline.
Those opportuni es for the West shooters came courtesyofanimproveddefensiveeffortfromBrooke Holmes and Daena Wombwell and with more rebounding opportuni es than the first quarter, Wombwell was able to use her height to great advantagetosecuretheturnovers.
It was the third quarter that completely turned the match–Westwinningthequarter15-6scorelinethat sawWetsleadingbynineatthefinalchange. South injected Tara Bonney into wing defence, while the Roos brought Kristy Dolan into goal shooter, Bianca Jackway to the defensive wing, Heaver to centreandCollinsontothea ackingwing.
Heaver was able to control the game in her more typical role in centre, while Dolan provided a great target and combined well with Carraill as the West shooters again gave their team value for possession conver ng15from20.
It was a case of a lack of supply for the Demons who onlyhadninescoringshotsforthequarter
Desperate to keep their season alive, South again swung the changes with Bonney moving to goal keeper, Kaitlin Tucker to wing a ack, Shelby Auld to wingdefenceandHannahWitherowtocentre.
Those changes, combined with a strong last quarter from Raedel and Glynn, who ne ed 13 from 16, saw South mount a comeback but it ended up a case of too li letoo late and despite winning the quarter136, bowing out of the 2023 season with a three goal loss.
CGRADE–WESTGAMBIERVNORTHGAMBIER
The C Grade 1st semi final was the rollercoaster matchoftheday
North Gambier had a strong start and led West Gambier by six at the first change and during the first half set up a double figure lead as the match looked settobeacruisetothefinishline.
But the Roos, supported strongly by a parochial and loud crowd, found their mojo and a stack of momentum and worked their way back into the contest, having their own chances to win the game in regula on mebutendingupforcedintoover me.
At some stages in the extra 14 minutes of play, it seemed double over me was a certainty but the Tigers were one goal ahead when the final whistle blewandadvancedtothepreliminaryfinal.
Thefirstquarterwasallaboutthedefensivepressure of Rebecca Johnson and Sarah Nieuwenhuizen and youngshooterMillyAllenensuredthoseeffortswere rewarded on the scoreboard, ne ng 11 from 14 in a dominantstarttothefinal.
West injected teenager Imogen McGregor into the goal a ack role at quarter me and the move had immediate impact as the young gun found good spaceandfinishedaccurately
Allen con nued her strong form at the other end, conver ng a perfect nine straight, courtesy of the precise feeding from Keeley Quinn and Kahlia Prelc, who were providing great op ons in offence for the Tigers.
ButtheRoosclearlysteadiedtheshipandthemargin atthemainbreakwasseven.
North injected another teenager into the mix at half me with Kelsie Anderson taking the goal keeper bib and she proved her worth, taking some mely intercep ons, pressuring the shot and rebounding strongly
he pressure of the match saw both sides making uncharacteris c errors and at three quarter me it wasasixgoalgame.
It was all West in the final quarter with accurate shoo ng the highlight of the quarter – Emma Pollock nailingfourfromsixandMcGregorstarringfromlong rangewithsevenfromeight.
EmilySutherlandandAlannahKochcreatedplentyof turnover ball in the frene c final quarter and despite theworkrateofQuinn,whoworkedhighupthecourt and drove hard to the circle’s edge, to try and keep theTigersinthecontest.
West did have around half a dozen opportuni es to turn a one goal lead into a two goal buffer but Andersoncon nuallyfoundawaytowintheballback andover meresulted.
The extra me was as tense as the regular me but in the end, North was ahead when it counted most courtesy of some strong defensive efforts from Anderson, Nieuwenhuizen and youngster sarah Brown, who was a cri cal injec on into the game at wingdefence.
MATCH REPORTS
T
17 & UNDER – CASTERTON SANDFORD V EAST GAMBIER
East gambier got off to the perfect start in the 17 & under 1st semi final, se ng up an early buffer of five goals on the back of some impressive workrate and accurate finishing from Ambah Beveridge but by the me the quarter me whistle blew the Cats had worked their way back into the contest and led byone.
Phoebe Carlin led the recovery at goal defence as she kept winning the ball back while perfect shoo ng from Ivy Lane and five from six from ChelseaHulmrewardedCarlinonthescoreboard.
Itwasanother ghtquarterinthesecondwithboth sides transi oning the ball well and Lane was again cri cal for the Cats, ne ng 11 from 12 as she providedherteammateswithastrongtarget,while IndiDwyerwasdoingherbesttokeepEastintouch, ge ngsomeimportanttouchesatgoaldefence.
A er half me, it was the Cats who came out the be er and quickly moved to a five goal advantage and the ba le to watch was cats playmaker Indi Longhurst and tenacious East wing defender Keelie Neilson. Neilson was at her ght checking best whileLonghurstmadethemostofeverypossession deliveringtheballwithpinpointaccuracy
The Cats again won the quarter but it was only a threegoalgamegoingintothelast. Both sides had their chances in the final quarter to set up a buffer and try and take the game away but turnovers from Cats goal a ack Chelsea Hulm, who picked up two cri cal intercepts, ensured the Cats justhadtheirnosesinfront.
JordyDavismovedtowinga ackinthelastforeast and her driving and accurate feeding was a feature of the Bulldogs final quarter but in the end, with HulmalsodeliveringtheballwithprecisiontoLane, theCatsheldonbytwogoals.
Lanewasoutstanding,shoo ng35from38inabest on court performance wile reliable defender Sarah Richardsonwasarockatgoalkeeper
EastwasbestservedbyAbbyLinesandDavis.
15 & UNDER A – WEST GAMBIER V SOUTH GAMBIER
Their previous two encounters were ght and the 15&UnderA1stsemifinalbetweenWestGambier andSouthGambierwasnodifferent.
Yetto beat the Roos in 2023, South started strongly withgooddefensivepressurealloverthecourt,and when they won the ball back, o en courtesy of KaseySims,CharlieA willandRubyMilichworked the ball with pa ence into Shana Grassi and Graice Dalton, Grassi rewarding her team mates with nine from11intheopeningquarter
But while South enjoyed an early three goal buffer, West worked their way back courtesy of the hard running of Swaye Lindner and with Lila Pearson providing a strong target and finishing well, the Rooshadaonegoalquarter melead.
It was another arm wrestle in the second and while Southcon nuedtheirfullcourtpressure,EllaJolley startedtohaveaninfluenceatwinga ackforWest, hi ng the circle’s edge hard and feeding well into Pearson and Lara Murdoch, with Lindner also s ll influen althroughthemidcourt.
The Demons were s ll crea ng turnover ball and with Dalton working her way into the contest and combining well with Grassi and by the half me breakthescoreswerelockedaway
Both teams made changes at the main break with Miley Vivian taking the goal a ack bib for West and Murdoch moving to wing defence, while South
switched Milich into centre and A will to wing a ack.
The ba le between Lindner and Milich was a wonderful glimpse into the future of these two players – both a small but speedy and more importantly, smart, and both played a key role for theirteam.
Vivianalsomadeadifferenceintheshoo ngcircle, shoo ng six straight and combining well with Pearson as West took a two goal lead into the final quarter
West set up a four goal buffer early in the last as MurdochpickedupsometurnoverballandLindner and Jolley worked hard in transi on to given PearsonandVivianplentyofscoringopportuni es.
But just as it looked like West might run away with the contest, the Demons ept figh ng back before goingdownbythree.
Pearson and Vivian combined for an impressive 15 from17inthefinalquartertoensureWest’sseason stayed alive, while a er a slow start, Dalton was South’sbest,conver ng19from23inthelastthree quarters.
15 & UNDER B – WEST GAMBIER V SOUTH GAMBIER
It was a ght opening quarter in the 15 & Under B 1st semi final and the hot favourites West Gambier would have been feeling the pressure, having not losttoSouthGambierallseasonandhavingwonall threegamescomfortably
TheRooshadatwogoalquarter meleadbutreally went to work in the second quarter, winning it 18-1 toblowthedeficitoutto19bythemainbreak.
Lila Pearson came onto goal shooter for West in that quarter and hit 16 from 18 to totally turn the contest,despitethepluckyeffortsofGracePeucker and Scarlet Ryan, who tried desperately to deny Pearsontheball.
Libby Buck moved to the centre in that quarter as wellfortheRoosandherdriveandpinpointpassing ensuredPearsonhadplentyofshots.
The third quarter was a more evenly contested affair with both sides defenders and mid courters applying relentless pressure, ensuring there were plentyofturnovers.
HollyJacksonwaspar cularlydominantintheRoos defensive circle and she also rebounded strongly during the third quarter and by the final change, Westwassi ngcomfortablywitha24goalmargin.
TheRooskeptpushinginthelast,withAvaReidand MileyVivianrewardingtheirteammateswithsome accuratefinishing.
Jackson and Vivian were best for the Roos, who now advance to the preliminary final, while Lily MilichandSophieMeierranhardalldayforSouth.
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It took 10 minutes of over me and in the end West Gambier was able to show enough determina on and composure to secure a preliminary final berth withasixgoalvictory
It was a scrappy opening quarter as the young players looked to shake off the nerves and the two defensive combina ons were clearly on top as the Catstookaonegoalmarginintothefirstbreak.
West started the be er of the two in the second quarter with Claire Hunte and Isla Lynch crea ng plenty of turnover ball early but some strong rebounding from Ylana Grigg and some tenacious chasing of the loose balls by Georgia Bailey and the
Cats worked their way back intothecontest.
Cats goalers Adele Murphy and Renee Gorman converted nine from 11 for the quarter, while a perfectfivefromfivebySaraRichardssawtheRoos stayintouchwiththatonegoalmarginatthehalf
The third quarter was another full of errors as the defensive pressure from both sides didn’t let up. Held balls from both teams were the order of the dayasplayersstruggledtofindteammatesinspace and centres Marlee Robbins (Cats) and Ella Mckenny (Roos) were forced to do a mountain of workintransi onandontheoutsideofthecircle.
Theinjec onofClaudiaVorwerkontothea acking wing for West gave the Roos some good drive onto the circle and in the end, it was the fourth placed Roosenjoyingaonegoalleadgoingintothelast.
AgainitwasWestbuildingtheearlyfourgoalbuffer but the Cats weren’t done with as Grigg and bailey con nuedtocreateturnoverballastheclock cked down and it was an ambi ous long pass to Murphy under the post that saw the Cats just beat the buzzertoforcethematchintoover me. Lynch,whowasclearlybestoncourtwithherability to keep winning the ball back for the Roos, was pivotal in the tense over me period and with RichardsandEvaPoveytakingonthelongshotsand conver ng,Weststartedtobuildalead.
Hunteralsotookacoupleofcri calreboundsandin theendtheRooskepttheirseasonalive,39-33.
13&UNDERB–MILLICENTVWESTGAMBIER
Itwasthefirstandlastquartersofthe13&UnderB 1st semi final that set up Millicent’s eventual 17 goalvictoryoverWestGambier
Lindy Van Eeden was on fire at goal a ack for the Saints in the opening quarter, ne ng eight from10 as she capitalised on the good work up the court beingdonebyherteamdefensively
Audrey galambos was impassable at goal keeper and were it not for the accuracy from West goal a ackHannahJackson,thedamagemayhavebeen worse–theRooskeepingthedeficittofive.
The second quarter was s ll one way traffic for the Saints, with Jackson pu ng in a perfect shoo ng performance to again try and keep the Roos in touch.
But with mid courters Lo le Ma hews and Prudence Johnson driving hard to the circle’s edge Van Eeden and Brydie Madden were afforded plentyofscoringopportuni esandtheleadwas11 atthemainbreak.
The third quarter was ght and dominated by the respec ve defensive setups, Galambos and Sophie Walker crea ng turnover ball for the Saints and Aggie Thomas, Molly Thomas and Ruby Lamb making life tough for the Millicent frontline but they just couldn’t find easy connec on with their shooters and it was a 12 goal game at the final change.
Van Eeden moved to goal shooter in the last and wasthedominantplayeron court,conver ngeight from 10 as she did in the first, while the feeding fromMaddenandSunderlandwaspinpoint.
In the end, the Saints advanced to the preliminary finalwitha38-21victory,whiletheRoos,whowere best served by Jackson and the hard running Savannah Riddoch, have obwed out fo the premiershiprace.
MATCH REPORTS
& UNDER A – CASTERTON SANDFORD V WEST GAMBIER
9am & 8.45am - 13 & Under A & 11 & Under 10.15am - 15 & Under A & 13 & Under B 11.30am -17 & Under & 15 & Under B 1.00pm - A Reserve & C Grade 2.30pm - A Grade & B Grade