The second week of finals is here and it’s set up to be an absolute blockbuster with the Minor Premiers West Gambier taking on the back to back reigning premiers Millicent.
Despite finishing first on the ladder the West Gambier will have to take on Millicent at its homeground, the Roos will be confident that it will cause no problems though having beaten Millicent at Mclaughlin Park in round 15.
Millicent has proven itself a power finals side and despite losing the past two matches to West Gambier, the Saints will believe that it can march on into the grand final with a win in the qualifying final.
Millicent did not take out the minor premiership last season either, as South Gambier finished top of the ladder before being beaten by the Saints in the finals twice including the grand final.
This West Gambier side is new and has not been in the finals as a team before, but it hopes the team has gelled well enough throughout the year to go that next level in finals which will be needed to go all the way.
While neither side has lost to North Gambier this season, both teams will not want to have play an extra match in finals and prefer to have the week off to focus on the grand final.
Millicent Coach Clint Gallio will be leading from the front.
The coach has confirmed he will return to Mount Burr next season as he looks to finish off his time at the saints with a three-peat.
West Gambier is going to have to focus on Gallio as he has been a stand-out in the midfield for Millicent this season and will be crucial to getting his side the result.
Frazer Bradley has also been in excellent form this season, West Gambier’s defence is definitely required to pay Bradley extra attention and his has the ability to take the game away from the Roos.
It has also been an excellent season for West Gambier Coach Daron McElroy.
McElroy was the first West Gambier coach to return for a second season in five years and so far it has paid off.
The Roo has built a formidable team that has truly challenged the Millicent powerhouse.
However this match is where it will truly see if it can bring an end to Millicent’s run of flags.
A recruit that has been brilliant this season has been Branden Newton from Port MacDonell who is the key to West Gambiers defence alongside Lewis Lean and with a great intercept mark and an elite kick.
Andrew Stone has also been an excellent piece of recruitment, joining from Kalangadoo this season.
Stone will be a key player on Saturday and is a danger player wherever he is found on the field, beating him to the ball will be important for Millicent.
The midfield will be the key battle and both sides will know that first access to the ball is always important in a match of footy.
With a grand final spot on the line there is everything to play for, for the top two teams.
Will the best team all year in West Gambier come out on top, or will the finals experience of Millicent be too much?
