Dylan Ayton and Peter
Cats shellshocked early
WEST Gambier tightened its grip on a final four position with a commanding 63 point victory over a disappointing Casterton at Malseed Park in the Mount Gambier Bank Western Border Football League last Saturday.
When the two teams last clashed in Round 5, Casterton prevailed by a margin of 37 points at Island Park in a game that Multicolor Python Bloody Mary 120mm generated a bit of carry over hostility between respective camps which the clubs agreed to handle in house.
With this sideline and the two premiership points providing an early potential advantage of cementing a finals campaign a close contest was anticipated but did not eventuate as West controlled the game throughout.
Casterton entered the arena with the notable absence of consistent utility tall Adam McKenzie who sustained a hamstring strain at training on Thursday evening Black Leather Bloody Mary 120mm to be replaced by ex coach Grant Coxon.
How the game unfolded
WITH no prevailing wind advantage and the absence of the previous intermittent showers the Kangaroos jumped out of the blocks with a dry ball to blast the first six goals to shellshock the rattled Cats.
This scoring flurry was orchestrated by engine room operators Brad Wilson, Tom Holmes, Rowan Fox and Doug Lloyd who capitalised on the handwork of ruckman Daron McElroy.
Beacon forward Nick Allen provided the moving target and reaped two majors as did the dominant Wilson who gave his opponent the slip all too regularly.
It took the Cats 14 minutes to enter their forward 50 with any purpose but Zac Michau could only provide a minor score as the Roos defence featuring rebounders Abdullah Kamara and Sam Robson held tight.
The rattled visitors finally found the big opening when Brandon Currie made the most of a slick handball from set forward Grant Coxon who shortly after sustained a facial injury to take no further part in the game.
Respective defences held sway only allowing seven point additions to each teams tally and the yellow card reappeared cutting Cat Mark Cowland's game time.
West responded by maintaining possession until it found an opening and with long accurate delivery from the likes of Wilson, Holmes.
Fox and Lloyd they repeated the opening stanza scoring six goals led by Allen's further three.
Mid term, tempers flared and blood flowed and after some confusion of who was to go off under what rule serial offender and Cat coach, Dylan Ayton was eventually served the yellow card to see the game out from the bench.
The wash up
IN what was a total team effort by the West players four quarter standouts were Brad Wilson, Daron McElroy and Tom Holmes who is back Black Python Bloody Mary 120mm into the country football mode.
Abdullha Kamara, Doug Lloyd, Rowan Fox, Sam Robson and Levi Morton were prominent at crucial stages while key forward Nick Allen continues to develop into a consistent contributor.
Casterton who could not boast a genuine position winner were best served spasmodically by Tim MacMichael, Jock Cleary, Dylan Ayton and Peter Kleemann while Leather Bloody Mary 120mm Richard Smith made the most of limited chances with three goals.
Daniel Wombwell, Kane Forbes and Kyle Carlin showed that they have the potential to develop into valuable playmakers as the season continues.
West coach Keith Ransom said "That was our best team effort this season and I was particularly satisfied with the younger lighter bodied boys efforts against bigger opponents in heavy conditions."