After the Bendigo Bank Western Border football and netball seasons roared back to life last weekend in stunning fashion, the question is how well can the clubs respond seven days later?
As correct at the time of print, Round 13 will be played on its rescheduled date this Saturday where some look to respond from a dogfight in Round 9, while others take their first steps into the cauldron after COVID.
Following two nail-biters to bring the 2021 WBFL season back to life, Millicent, East and North Gambier are locked in a titanic battle to finish second behind the serene South Gambier.
The make up of the final four in the WBNA A Grade is also in dispute.
East Gambier and Millicent appear set to hold onto first and second positions respectively on the ladder, but only one game separates North and West Gambier while the Demons must win every game and hope results fall their way.
Following regional Victoria escaping lockdown, clubs were scheduled to conduct a meeting about this weekend’s fixture on Tuesday night, so keep an eye on the SE Voice’s social pages for the latest.
West Gambier v Millicent
After Casterton Sandford forfeited its Round 9 clash, West Gambier is yet to get back on the field and must get up to speed straight away.
The Roos’ finals chances appear extremely slim, but Steve Wenman’s men would love to leave a few scars in the final three weeks of the home-and-away season.
Three straight defeats before lockdown meant West lost touch with the final four and hit a new low in the previous clash against South Gambier when only nine points were scored across the entire game.
The likes of Lawry Bradley-Brown, Tom Holmes, Todd Lewis and Jesse Pfitzner have carried the team, but their efforts may not be enough to topple a confident Millicent side.
The Saints have risen from the depths of 2019 to second place on the ladder with attacking football.
Although Gene Robinson manage to boot five goals after a thrilling one-on-one duel with Jake Schutz, North just snuck home.
The disappointment leaves Millicent hungry to rediscover the winning feeling and this mindset should ensure Clint Gallio’s team gets revenge from the previous encounter.
The tight Roos v Saints rivalry on the netball court should continue this weekend.
Millicent emerged victorious by 16 and 11 points respectively, but the challenges posed by West could not ignored.
The third match-up could hinge on the battle between Saints’ goalie Tabatha Sanderson and young Roos’ defender Jade Ritter.
Another tight battle looms, but West must dig deep to finally get over the line.
South Gambier v North Gambier
The two winners of last weekend’s classics will face off at Blue Lake Sports Park.
North hopes to fire a shot back at South after being touched up in the previous two battles.
The yellow and black showed they are well and truly in the hunt for back-to-back flags when their veterans overcame a charging Millicent outfit.
But the Demons also looked in good touch holding off a spirited East side at the same venue as this weekend.
South knows how to hit the Tigers where it hurts and should be tough to beat if another four-quarter performance is produced.
Last time these foes met on the court, the Demons took it right up to the yellow and black for the majority of the clash, but in the end North held on.
North’s classy mid court combo of Mel Renko and Brianna Walters, plus the smarts of Ellen Brown, means South needs to be at its best.
Patience will be the key for the Demons’ offensive unit, but with finals around the corner, the Tigers should get the job done.
Cast/Sandford v East Gambier
It is a case of déjà vu for the Bulldogs as they head to Island Park for the second time in three rounds.
Back at the beginning of July, East co-coaches Matt Willson and Jayden Eldridge handed over the keys to Dereck Ferguson and the young team did not disappoint in their absence.
The Bulldogs showed even better form by pushing South to the very edge last week and eye a big win to boost their percentage.
Even though the Cats struggled to take its chances, coach Kane Forbes would be pleased with his side’s progress having compiled its biggest score since round 2 with the help of Diarmid Cleary and Hamish McCrae.
East also collected a comprehensive win at Island Park before lockdown thanks to the dominant Emily Hunter.
She will be confident of maintaining her unbeaten record as playing coach, while the likes of Paige Murrell, Scarlett Jarrad and Tori Broomby will lead the Cats’ assault.
