1ST SEMI FINAL -
North Gambier v West Gambier
North Gambier will face West Gambier in the Limestone Coast Football Netball League’s first semi final at Blue Lake Sports Park on Saturday.
Both teams have had very similar seasons as the Tigers finished one spot higher than the Roos with one more win.
The Roos will be out for revenge after the Tigers knocked West out of the finals last year in the prelim by only six points.
Heading into this game the Tigers have found some great form late in the season, winning four games in a row with one of those being a win against the Saints which proved a huge confidence booster for North.
On the other hand, West have been a bit shaky over the past few weeks, only winning two of their last five games.
This season these sides have played three times with the Roos winning twice and the Tigers only picking up the one win.
Their first meeting was a competitive one as West came away with the three point win in round one.
The other two were not as close with West winning the most recent meeting in round 11 by 64 points.
Some key players for West up forward will be Brandon Newton and Mitchell Cornolo.
Both have been dominant all season and they have been key targets in the forward line.
Newton has found some great form in recent weeks, kicking 21 goals in his past three games while finishing the home and away season on 27 goals.
Cornolo has been doing it all for the Roos this season, playing a big role in the forward line as well as doing his part in the ruck contest with his size.
Cornolo and Newton will have to be at their best if the Roos want to advance in the finals with elimination looming.
Key players for the Tigers will be Toby de Wit and Josh Jenner.
de Wit has been the top forward for the Tigers this season and has had some pretty big games for them.
This year de Wit ended the home and away season second in the league’s goal kicking with 37 goals, including 15 in the last three games.
He will be a player the Tigers midfield will be looking to spot up with his marking ability and will give the West defenders a tough task on the weekend.
Jenner has been a reliable player for the Tigers this season, playing all 16 games and finishing in the best players for half of them. Jenner will be looking to continue his great season long play going into this final.
Overall this should be a very competitive match that should go down to the wire with the stakes high given the loser will be eliminated from the finals.
