Western Border Football round preview
North Gambier v Casterton Sandford
It will be the last round of the Bendigo Bank Western Border Football League season where teams are facing off for the first time and there will be a lot to learn in the fact-finding mission on Saturday.
A quick look at the form suggests round 5 could be one of the most one-sided of the season, but nothing can ever be taken for granted in Western Border football.
The game which appears to have the most tantalising match-up will be North Gambier and Casterton Sandford, who are both determined to remain in the mix and victory this weekend will give that objective a big boost.
The Cats hold the high ground a game clear in third position on the ladder, but have their tails between their legs following a touch up from top team South Gambier.
Jack Thompson and Diarmid Cleary showed strength and grit around the ground during the contest, but across four quarters the Victorians were no match for the Demons’ speed.
Casterton Sandford will aim to force North to play its style of football and test them throughout the afternoon.
North has the capacity to beat the best, but needs to start running out full games of football.
In the last three weeks the Tigers have been in winning positions against West, South and Millicent, but have let them slip.
Lapses across passages of play and inaccuracy have undone the good work from the likes of Nick McInerney and Hamish Telford and they need to turn the results around to remain in touch of the top three.
East Gambier v Millicent
The 2018 Western Border Football League grand finalists enter their first battle of 2022 in contrasting positions on the ladder, but both ready to build momentum from important wins.
The pair was able to steal wins last week thanks to one-quarter bursts and they will be wary of these match-changing abilities.
Injuries could become a concern with another East youngster in Shaun Lock going off early which allowed Connor Barry to flourish in the third-quarter assault on the Roos.
Meanwhile the Saints will be hoping their coach Clint Gallio can recover from a calf complaint after missing the previous fortnight.
But Millicent can be confident in its depth having covered the losses of Gallio, Tom Hutchesson and Finn Grimes to name a few recently and will be the favourite to beat the Dogs.
South Gambier v West Gambier
No side has been able to topple South Gambier so far in 2022 and few will bet against the team from completing the high five with only North Gambier being within five goals on Anzac Day.
Brock Keding and Colby Munro have led the way playing super consistent football, while all players have been kept on edge as the B Grade also enjoy great success with Kym Eagleson kicking 25 goals in his last two games.
The form guide is stacked against the Roos, who could only muster nine behinds in their previous contest against South.
But Daron McElroy’s men have showed glimpses of promise entering quarter time in front in their last two games, only to lose heavily.
West will look to midfield battlers Tom Nieuwerkerk and Jordan Williams for inspiration.
