KALANGADOO will be the venue for the Limestone Coast Women’s Football League tomorrow, with some tight contests expected in Round 5 of the season.
Games will kick off at 11am with the top-of-the-table clash between Kybybolite and Millicent.
The northern Tigers have taken all before them in their rookie season, while the Saints fell to second position just last week after a loss to South Gambier.
It all adds up to an interesting challenge to open a big day of football.
At 12.40pm bottom-placed West Gambier will face fifth-placed East Gambier.
The Roos are yet to open their account this year – apart from a draw with North Gambier – and could change that against the Bulldogs, who have recorded two wins from their four games.
The third game kicks off at 1.50pm, with the third-placed South Gambier up against the fourth-placed Glencoe.
The Demons will throw everything at this contest, with the chance to move up to second place should the Saints fall to Kybybolite.
Finally Kalangadoo will host North Gambier at 3pm in what could be another intriguing match.
The Tigers are yet to produce a victory this season, while Kalangadoo sits in sixth place with just one win.
Kybybolite v Millicent
THE much anticipated clash between the two top sides could not have been scripted for a better time of the season.
Both sides had been untouchable, until last round, when the Saints were dealt a blow at the hands of South.
The Demons claimed the win by just three points, but in doing so opened up a chance for a possible top-two finish and subsequent grand final berth.
With just three minor rounds remaining, a victory to the Saints is imperative.
Millicent has been well served by Kristie Rowe and Olivia Fuller this season, with their first-round effort unforgettable.
In that game Rowe bagged four goals and Fuller three.
They will need to be in that same best form if the Saints are to take it up to a team that is shaping up to be a premiership favourite.
Kybybolite wasted no time stamping their authority on the competition after entering this season.
They went from a seven-point first-round win to 32-point victors in the second round and have not looked back from there.
While Millicent boasts the two top goal scorers in the league, Kybybolite has seen a range of players up forward finding the big sticks, showing plenty of versatility that has served them well.
They currently sit undefeated at the top of the ladder and it will certainly take a big effort from the Saints this weekend if they are to claim the win.
West Gambier v East Gambier
THE Roos face a huge challenge if they are to chalk up their first win of the season when they face the hungry Bulldogs.
East has managed two wins this season – against the Glencoe All Stars and North Gambier – and will want to improve on that tomorrow.
Up against the win-less Roos, a victory would be expected, but nothing can be taken for granted in a low-scoring competition.
Results in this league often come down to accurate kicking in front of goals, something the Bulldogs lacked last week.
They still managed to record a win over North, but were pushed all the way due to eight minor scores.
West has simply struggled to score this season, with only a draw against North to their name.
Last week they suffered a 40-point loss to Kybybolite, unable to bother the scorers at all.
It will take a big effort to claim the points over the Bulldogs, with East the hot favourite in this match.
South Gambier v Glencoe All Stars
THERE is plenty on the line for the Demons when they face the All Stars.
The reigning premiers are equal on points with Millicent on the ladder, with the Saints holding a far better percentage.
The top two sides go into the grand final and if South can claim the points tomorrow, they will do their chances no harm.
Likewise, Glencoe needs the win if it is any chance at all of making the grand final – there is a slim chance, but the All Stars will need to rely on other results for the next three rounds.
The Demons will come into the game buoyed after last week’s win over Millicent, with accurate kicking proving the difference in the end.
South kicked three straight goals, while with five shots, the Saints could only manage two majors, handing the Demons the win by three points and losing top spot in the process.
Apart from their first-round loss to Kybybolite, the Demons have been in good form, with big wins over East and West.
Imogen Walker, Jasmine White, Tess Clark and Kendell Saffin have been regular best players and goal scorers for South, with Saffin topping the season goal tally so far for her side.
For Glencoe the spoils have been harder to come by, with two losses early, followed by a big win over North, then a three-point victory over Kalangadoo last round.
However, they do have a big goal kicker in the form of Simone McDonald, who has five majors for the season and will look to improve on that this week.
If the All Stars are to claim the premiership points, they will need to pull out all stops, with the Demons eyeing off another grand final hit out and starting as favourites tomorrow.
North Gambier v Kalangadoo
WHILE both North and Kalangadoo sit further down the ladder, there is still plenty to play for tomorrow.
North will want to stay clear of the bottom rung of the ladder, with just one draw to their name this season.
That was against the bottom-placed West, who will struggle tomorrow against East.
If the Tigers can claim the win they could add a small buffer, which would come in handy at this point in the season.
North has struggled this season, with some big losses, including a first-round thrashing at the hands of Millicent.
However, they have remained composed and went down to East last week by just seven points.
Kalangadoo started the season with a win over West, but have struggled since then, despite a tight three-point loss to Glencoe last week.
Both sides are playing for pride and should provide an intriguing contest.
