JOEY McArlein is again in charge this year and with his eloquence and experience will lead this Reserves team in the right direction; with a good mix of youth and experience, a little more time on the Park together will bear fruit.

The first quarter saw the Cats with the majority of the play as big ruck, Nathan Faroe, dominated the air and the old guard of Peter Hutchins, Michael Jarrad, Kane Forbes and Ben Holmes kept the ball in Casterton-Sandford’s half.

Sully Gibbs and Sam Craig had already played a game but were not slowed by this or by West’s larger bodies and the return to the Cats by star juniors Thomas Searle and Rhys Jolly was appreciated by teammates and supporters alike.

Searle kicking the Cats’ first goal after some good link-up play by Craig and Jarrad Smith.

West Gambier were able to draw even just before the siren as both teams went into the quarter time huddle knowing they had given their all.

Quarter time: Casterton-Sandford 1.2.8 even with West Gambier 1.2.8

The second quarter started slowly, Casterton-Sandford working hard defensively as Bevan Wombwell, Jackson Fitzgerald and Hayden Smith threw themselves into every contest.

Mason Hunter and Jake Smith showed grit and determination as they won plenty of the ball.

West were continually pushed wide by the Cats and were only able to get the one goal for the quarter; behinds though, allowed the Roos a 10-point lead at half time

Half time: Casterton-Sandford 1.4.10 trail West Gambier 2.8.20.

The third quarter again saw the Cats working hard to gain advantage early and rewards came as Hayden Smith charged out of the middle and kicked to a leading Michael Jarrad who took the mark and slotted the Cats second goal from 45 metres out.

Hayden Smith continued his streak of finding forwards with Pete Hutchins being on the end of the next lace-out delivery.

Hutchy then timed his kick to perfection and bagged the Cats’ third goal.

The Cats had all the momentum, but the Roos slowed things up and ran the ball wide, the Cats ran out of puff and West capitalised, kicking four goals and taking a 24-point lead in at three-quarter time.

Three quarter time: Casterton-Sandford 3.5.23 trail West Gambier 6.11.47.

The last quarter saw the Cats fight out the game.

Cale Zippel was head-down, bum-up into packs and getting the ball moving, but a few little niggles to key play-makers in Jarvis Parsons, Dominic Ahamed and Jackson Fitzgerald saw the Roos do enough to get over the line.

Results

Final scores: Casterton-Sandford 3.5.23 defeated by West Gambier 8.17.65

Goal kickers: T Searle, M.Jarrad and P Hutchins

Better players: Jarrad Smith, Mason Hunter, Hayden Smith, Kane Forbes, Thomas Searle and Bevan Wombwell

In other matches

WBFL Under 16

West Gambier 9.7 (61) def Casterton Sandford 5.2 (32)

Best:  Bay Mckinnon, Sullivan Gibbs, Rufaro Makore, Sid Herbert, Joshua Jones, Dylan Munro.

Goals:  Sam Craig 3, Paul Morne Ferreira, Sullivan Gibbs 1.

WBFL Under 14

Casterton Sandford 6.5 (41) def West Gambier 4.2 (26)

Best:  Kirby Vise, Samuel Patton, Archie Lane, Jedd Rhook, Connor Stephens.

Goals:  Jedd Rhook, Connor Stephens 2, Archie Lane, Takudzwa Makore 1.