IT will be a big day for Millicent Football Netball Club on Saturday, with the official opening of the new facilities at McLaughlin Park to coincide with Round 11 of Western Border football.
The Saints host Casterton Sandford on the day, which will be a big challenge in itself.
Millicent is coming off a demoralising defeat at the hands of North Gambier, while the Cats made short work of West Gambier in Round 10 last week.
For the Cats it will be an important moment in the season, with a possible return to the top four should a victory be secured.
For the Saints it will be a case of wanting to atone for last week’s performance and put on a good show for the fans and dignitaries in attendance.
The Cats trail the third-placed Saints by just three premiership points, while South Gambier holds down fourth spot, just one point ahead.
The Demons face the rampaging Tigers this week, placing even more importance on a victory for the Cats.
Last week Casterton Sandford showed a solid running game, using the whole confines of Island Park to their advantage.
The Roos played a solid defensive game, but in the end could not stand up to the pressure of the home side.
Should the Cats bring that same brand of football to McLaughlin Park this weekend, the Saints could be found wanting.
However, all three of the Cats victories this season have been at home, with the closest to success on the road being a draw against East Gambier.
That would surely play on the minds of the coaching staff at Island Park, but to turn the tables, last time these two sides met the Cats were comfortable victors, claiming the Round 6 honours by 40 points.
However, it was a similar margin the Saints won by in Round 1, which was at home.
Since then both sides have seen changes, with Millicent losing the playing services of Clint Gallio, while the Cats have seen the return of Dylan Ayton, who last week showed his full hand, with an outstanding game.
Both players have a major effect on the success of their respective sides.
Last time Ayton ran out on McLaughlin Park it was not a pretty sight, with an aggressive response to a harsh tackle by the former Cats coach.
Hopefully that is all water under the bridge now, with no repeat of that behaviour from either side.
While last round saw the Saints licking their wounds after a thrashing at the hands of the Tigers, that can not be taken into account against the Cats.
The Tigers’ form has improved as the season has progressed, while the Saints have suffered a lack of personnel.
But it will be a similar scenario this weekend, with the Cats also finding form in recent rounds, with a win, a loss and a draw in the last three rounds, while the Saints have suffered three losses.
That loss for the Cats was also at the hands of the Tigers.
While there will be celebrations at McLaughlin Park on Saturday, it will not be from a victory.
The Cats should run out victors and continue their push for finals football.
