Gallio poised for Millicent return

PACE: Runners such as Lyndon Smith all add to the Millicent success this season, with a big test Saturday against the struggling Tigers at McLaughlin Park for Round 7 of Western Border football.

MILLICENT footballers face yet another big test tomorrow when they host North Gambier at McLaughlin Park in the Round 7 Western Border clash.

The two sides are at almost opposite ends of the ladder, with the Saints sitting proud in second, while the Tigers languish down in fifth, just one game off the bottom rung.

The Saints have lost just one game, while the Tigers have won just one.

Back in Round 2 when the two sides clashed, Millicent came out on top to the tune of 41 points at Vansittart Park.

Last round the Saints claimed a big 48-point victory over South Gambier, while the Tigers struggled in the final term against a relentless East Gambier, going down by 26 points in a classic battle.

The big news for the Saints is the return of playing coach Clint Gallio.

Gallio has been out of action for a year since a major knee reconstruction and his return has been eagerly awaited.

He said earlier in the season he was feeling good, working well at training and was simply giving his knee time to recover fully.

He has been named in the run-on side and if all goes to plan he will simply add depth to an already fast mid-field pack.

The Saints are in the box seat to record another win, but to tip against the Tigers is fraught with danger regardless of current form.

Against the Bulldogs last week they showed plenty of grit, only losing touch in the last quarter.

However, form was hard to judge from that contest, with both sides struggling to find wins this season.

The Saints would be impressed with key forward Matt Duldig, who has kicked a bag of goals the last two rounds.

He managed six against the Demons last week and four against the Bulldogs the round prior.

Gallio said he expected Duldig to hit his best form as the season progressed, which will add to the Saints’ firepower up forward.

They have no shortage of goal kickers, with runners such as Tom Hutchesson, Lyndon Smith and Hamish Gordon regularly on the scoreboard.

Last round there were nine players who contributed major scores to the 18.10 total, which could spell danger for the Tigers.

However, against the Bulldogs last week key forward Tom McLennan found his range for North, also bagging six goals against a tough defensive line.

The problem was the Tigers only had another four contributors – all singles – but there are plenty of options if they can find space.

The likes of Nick Moretti, Nick McInerney and Nick Blachut can run and bang on a long goal, while Dylan Munn is always dangerous with the ball in hand in the forward half.

The Tigers certainly look good on paper, but simply have not pulled it all together this season.

However, no coach in the league takes their lack of form for granted, knowing well the damage they can do when they click.

There is plenty of time to find their form, as they only sit two games out of the top four.

It appears only a matter of time before they find their rhythm and start chalking up wins, but against the Saints this week with the return of Gallio to the lineup, it will be a tall ask.

The Saints should continue on their winning way on their home deck to welcome their coach back on the ground with another win.