Football: Grand finalists fight to regain past form

East v North Gambier Football & Netball
ON THE LINE: With their season on the line, North Gambier will look to the likes of Sam Stafford to provide some inspiration in the middle of the ground and should run out close victors over East Gambier at Vansittart Park.

IT would be a fair question to ask what has happened at the top end of the Western Border Football League competition.

This week’s “match of the round” takes place at Vansittart Park, when the two “former” heavyweights of the league – North Gambier and East Gambier – go head-to-head.

“Former” may seem harsh, considering the two sides fought for the flag just last season, but as the reigning premiers, the Bulldogs have shown little of that premiership form, with just two victories, while last year’s runners-up the Tigers have won just the one game.

East currently has a tentative hold on fourth place, while North sits out of contention, one game behind in fifth.

Not surprising to some, Casterton Sandford is the only undefeated side, sitting clear at the top of the ladder, but with its own test this week against an improving West Gambier.

Should the Cats win there may be an opening for East to move up a spot – if they can claim the victory against the Tigers.

Second-placed Millicent should claim the points over the win-less South Gambier, leaving them in place, so there is much hinging on the Tigers v Bulldogs contest, even at this early stage of the season.

East has suffered injury concerns in recent rounds, but has not performed as expected for the whole five games this season.

North is in a similar position, with glimpses of what would be expected from the once-mighty side, but not enough consistency to close out any important games.

Even against the Demons the Tigers looked anything but convincing, claiming a comfortable win in the end, but with just one more scoring shot.

After a big win over the Demons, East is coming off two demoralising losses – one against the Roos where they kicked just 28 points for the game and last round’s defeat at the hands of the Saints, where they kicked just 41 points, but went down by 43.

It has certainly been a big turnaround from last year, with many pundits suggesting the competition is in good shape, considering no side is really dominating – even the Cats have been pushed, despite five wins from as many games.

But that will not sit well with neither North or East as they attempt to keep their season on track.

Last time the two sides met was back in Round 1 in the eagerly-awaited grand final re-match at McDonald Park.

The Tigers were out of the blocks fast and looked to have the game in hand, but a solid second half saw the Bulldogs run over the top and claim a classy and entertaining victory.

In similar fashion the Bulldogs have left other games to chance since then and have been unable to close those margins.

Against the Cats they looked set to do the same, but ran out of steam late in the game.

Last week against Millicent there was a slim hope in the final term kicking with the wind, but again they could not get the job done.

With the Tigers desperately chasing their second win, it would not be wise for the Bulldogs to do the same this week.

However, the Tigers were out to a big lead in the first term against West last week and faltered, with the Roos running rampant after quarter time and claiming a big win.

Were it not for inaccurate kicking by West, the result could have been far worse for North.

In front of goals, it could be said the Bulldogs have the wood over the Tigers, with Giancarlo Cooper and Kev Thomson inside the top 10, while you have to look down to 14th place to find the first Tiger – Jordan Hollit.

Through the mid-field both sides look strong, with the Tigers boasting the likes of Nick Blachut and Brock Egan in good form, along with Sam Stafford a tall presence in the ruck, but they have faltered on many occasions once the ball has moved forward.

They have also struggled to clear the opposition back line, with rebound goals against them the result.

Likewise the Bulldogs have not looked convincing clearing the centre, with Jesse Fry one of the standouts so far, with his never-say-die attitude towards the ball.

While there is plenty of time left in the season and just a handful of victories required for a possible top-four position, this week is a must-win game for both clubs.

If the Tigers fail, their season looks in serious doubt, while if the Bulldogs go down, their falling confidence would surely be sapped.

Either scenario leaves one of the two clubs in peril, adding further pressure to succeed as the season progresses.

In a tight contest, with their season on the line, the Tigers should get up on their home deck and apply further pressure to the final top-four position.