For the third time this year, the two big dogs of the Limestone Coast Football Association world will scrap it out in an unmissable game this Sunday afternoon.
International and Gambier Centrals have enjoyed plenty of recent history and their storied rivalry is only set to grow as the 2021 season continues.
This weekend the pair will face off at MGA Park – the same venue of the 2021 Steeline Cup final.
The sight of the black and blue at Bishop Road will bring happy memories for the home team after Chris Fleetwood led his men to a famous win the preseason cup decider.
But the difference between the two sides has never been slimmer after a 2-2 draw for the ages last time out.
The stars shone brightly above and on Casadio Park in round 4 and the Lions were roaring the loudest in the first half.
The speedy pair Broc Linden and Lewis March put Centrals in a dominant position at half time, only for a Connor Prior double tied the scoreboard before full time.
Both sides are undefeated since and Gambier Centrals especially looked in fine fettle after lockdown with a huge 16-0 win over Millicent, while Inter had to escape with another 2-2 draw with fellow flag contender Apollo.
Picking a winner is a tough, but the Lions may hold the slim edge with the home-ground advantage, strong form and recent editions to the list such as Nathan Fleetwood.
Elsewhere Apollo hopes to stay in touch with the top two by recording a confidence-boosting win behind enemy lines.
The blue and white will be boosted by their rescue mission against Inter last week.
Say Say Wah and Adam Walker were the savors and they will aim to break through Blue Lake’s defensive barricade.
The Rangers may be the only side yet to taste success, but have frustrated opponents in recent encounters by overflowing the final third.
Naracoorte enjoys another home game against Millicent and hopes to use it to consolidate its finals spot.
Kevin Marshall’s men easily accounted for the green team back in round 4 and should repeat the result.
In the Senior Women’s fixture, the Centrals v Inter contest remains the one to watch.
The rivals are in the middle of a tight fight for the best of the rest behind Blue Lake United and this Saturday’s battle could go a long way towards finding the answer.
Inter holds the bragging rights after a 3-1 in round 4, which was the previous time Lions’ striker Erin Horsnell could hit the pitch.
Centrals would love to welcome her services, but the changing border situation has been the stumbling block and the side’s battle find a consistent starting 11 could prove detrimental, while Tess Andrews would be keen to make a statement against her old club.
The other two games may not be as closely fought.
Apollo’s home clash with Blue Lake United in round 4 was not possible after the former was forced to forfeit.
Hopefully the blue and white can get on the park and test themselves against the best in the business.
The Rangers and Apollo returned from the break landing on either side of 3-0 results.
Naracoorte and Millicent are the only teams to enjoy sharing the pitch with the men on Sunday afternoon.
A developing Naracoorte women’s team is still searching for a maiden win and another battling team in Millicent could present the perfect chance for a new chapter to be written.
