Casterton Sandford v South Gambier
The final round of the Western Border Football League has arrived and Casterton Sandford are hosting South Gambier in a do or die match as both sides fight for the last finals spot.
After a slow start to the season South Gambier stormed home in the second half of the season to give themselves a great chance at finals footy.
Casterton Sandford have had a slower end to the season though, and now will need to find some form the side is to play finals in 2023.
The Cats will be focusing on limiting the impact of two young South Gambier players who have played a big role in the side’s late season revival.
Mitch Harold and Mitchell Sims have been excellent in the past few rounds playing key roles in the demons wins.
If Casterton Sandford can limit the impact of the two youngsters then it will go a far way to getting the four points.
A win for South Gambier will see them go through, however Casterton Sandford need to beat the visitors well to make finals.
The cats sit four points behind the demons and are well off on percentage so a win may not be enough to get Casterton Sandford into finals.
It will be the biggest match of the round with every other finals spot secured the battle for the last spot will be intense.
Both sides will be nervous, but on recent form South Gambier will believe it has the edge and can get the job done.
West Gambier v East Gambier
West Gambier will host East Gambier as the Roos look to seal the minor premiership for the 2023 season.
It has been a great season for West Gambier after being the forest side to be eliminated from the finals last year the side now sits top of the ladder with one match to go.
And while the last match sees them take on East Gambier who have won one game all year it will come with nerves as the last two times the sides met the doggies have pushed West Gambier.
Round 13 was the last time the sides met and the match would finish with the teams sharing the points in the only draw this season.
The last match will give East Gambier the belief that it could potentially cause an upset and finish a tough season on a high by beating a strong flag contender.
West Gambier will give it their all as it will attempt to build some momentum going into finals.
The Roos will hope to build on last round’s massive win over Millicent and make light work of the wooden Spooners.
East Gambier’s defence will have to work its hardest to shut down the many options the West Gambier midfielders have when going forward.
While East Gambier will be hopeful, expect West Gambier to come out firing and prepare to launch for its finals campaign.
Millicent v North Gambier
Millicent will be looking to win convincingly against North Gambier as the side attempts to take back top spot from West Gambier.
While the Minor premiership is West Gambiers to lose Millicent will still need to win to stay a chance, but the Saints will be far more concerned with finding some winning form before the finals.
North Gambier will enter the match knowing safe in the knowledge it will finish third this season.
The Tigers will still be looking to send a message though as it takes on one of the top two sides this season.
North Gambier has not managed to upset West or Millicent this season.
If the Yellow and Black it sets them in good stead before the finals series as it will know it can beat any side on its day.
Sam Stafford and Nick McInerney have been crucial for the Tigers this season and will be important in the final match of the home and away season, but if an upset is to occur then other players will be required to stand up and send a message to the competition.
Clint Gallio will be the biggest problem for the visitors, Gallio has been outstanding this season and will need to be shut down for North Gambier to steal the points.
If North Gambier can get over the line then Millicent will enter finals in a worrying state having two losses on the bounce needed to find form in finals, which is never a good place for a team to find itself in.
