A Grade
Millicent v West Gambier
The Limestone Coast Football Netball League is set for an A Grade grand final rematch on Saturday as Millicent and West Gambier face off at McDonald Park.
After losing in the qualifying final two weeks ago, West Gambier bounced back well in the preliminary final after a big fourth quarter performance helped them get over the line against Casterton Sandford.
West looked much better last week than they did against Millicent a fortnight ago, especially in the fourth quarter where they ran away with the win after being neck and neck with the Cats in the previous three quarters.
Despite several key departures in the offseason, Millicent have bounced back well, making their fifth grand final in a row.
All season Millicent have been consistently solid and were well deserving of the minor premier title as they finished 11-5.
In the three meetings between these sides this season the Saints have won the two most recent matches with West claiming the first back in round four.
In their qualifying final clash it was a convincing win for the Saints, beating West by 32 points on their home deck.
They played in tough weather conditions in that match, with Millicent adapting better than West as the Roos had their lowest scoring match of the season, registering just 30 points.
The Roos will look to build off the success they had in last week’s fourth quarter, kicking four goals and two behinds which was a big improvement from earlier in the match, which only tallied five goals and six behinds.
Coming off solid performances last week, expect league best and fairest Lawrence Bradley-Brown to have a big impact on the game along with best under 21 player Harvey Croker.
Both were crucial in the success for the Roos last week and will certainly cause some problems for Millicent this weekend.
The Saints’ Jacob Carger will also look to have another big game, after kicking four goals against the Roos in the qualifying final.
Along with Carger, Kalan and Billy Shanks will be crucial for the Saints coming out of the backline as they both have great speed and athleticism along with their ability to use the footy well.
Heading into a second straight grand final, West Gambier head coach Daron McElroy said it’s a great achievement for the club.
“It’s big, it’s good for the club and myself,” he said.
“Everyone wrote us off last year and this year but we have been able to get through that, so it’s going to be a good day,” McElroy said.
Going into the match, McElroy believes the game will be won from the midfield battle.
“Obviously the midfield has to be pretty strong,” he said.
“They’re going up against a pretty good midfield and our problem against them is they’re so fast, so trying to keep it in our hands and not giving it back to them all the time will probably help us go a long way.
“But it is going to be a battle of the midfields.”
Despite the last game between these sides Saturday’s clash should be competitive given the high stakes.
Having said that, do not be too surprised if it comes down to the final quarter similar to the Roos’ game last week.
If I had to pick a winner I’m leaning towards the Roos coming out on top and claiming back to back premierships.
Reserves
South Gambier v North Gambier
South Gambier and North Gambier will face off again this Saturday as the two sides fight for the B Grade premiership.
The Dees got the better of the Tigers two weeks ago in the qualifying final, winning by 14 in a low scoring match.
The Tigers have had to take the long road to the grand final, playing Penola last week in the preliminary final and having a 27 point result.
These sides have played four times this season with North winning the first clash back on Anzac Day, followed by South winning the next three.
The Dees have been the top side this season, dropping only two games and comfortably finishing first on the ladder.
North have been the next best side in the competition so this clash is certainly between the two top sides.
Heading into the grand final the Dees are in solid form, winning four straight so they will definitely be feeling confident going into this match.
The Dees will look to avenge last year’s grand final defeat to Millicent, where they had a tough day losing by 52 points.
This shapes as a solid match to watch as these sides have been the standard this season.
Despite North’s efforts I do not think they will be able to outmatch South in this one.
I’m tipping the Dees to get the win.
Under 17.5
Penola v Millicent
Undefeated Penola will look to immortalise themselves this Saturday as they take on Millicent in the Under 17.5 grand final.
It’s been an incredible first season for Penola in the Limestone Coast Football Netball League, winning 17 games without dropping a match.
Millicent, on the other hand, have done well to get into the grand final, taking a tough blow in the qualifying final to Penola, which prompted them to rally to an 18 point win over North Gambier in the prelim.
The Saints have not had the best luck against Penola this season, losing all of their games by large margins.
This is certainly Penola’s game to lose as there will be a lot of pressure on them to succeed, especially considering they are yet to lose a match.
However, Penola should be just too good and will come away with the flag on Saturday.
Under 14.5
East Gambier v Millicent
East Gambier will get another crack at Millicent this Saturday as the two sides play off in the Under 14.5 grand final.
It was a disappointing loss for the minor premiers in the qualifying final as they lost to the Saints by 73 points.
Going into that game the Doggies had only lost one game, forcing them to take the long way to the grand final, playing North last week in the preliminary final and having a solid 42 point win.
These sides have played each other three times with the Saints having the positive record, beating the Doggies twice.
Given how good these sides have been this season this looms as a tight contest.
With that being said I do believe the Saints will come out on top and just get over the line.
