FOR Western Border fans not wanting to travel today there is only one option, with the clash between West Gambier and South Gambier on the Roos’ home turf the only Round 7 match-up held in the Blue Lake city.
While Millicent hosts a redemption-seeking North Gambier and Casterton Sandford welcomes reigning premiers East Gambier to their home ground, the Roos will look for a comfortable win when they host their cross-town rivals at Malseed Park.
West showed it had plenty of fight last week when it took on the undefeated Cats in a hard-hitting clash at Island Park.
Had the Roos not been stifled by injury, the end result could have been very different to the eventual 18-point deficit.
Going into the game without key player Steve Wenman, Tom Holmes was taken off the ground before half time, while further injuries throughout the game dwindled their firepower.
At the long break West held a 10-point lead over the Cats in the low-scoring match, but by the midpoint of the third term the bench had been depleted and the Roos ran out of legs in the later stages of the game.
They will hope to see both Holmes and Wenman back on the ground tomorrow, especially with the latter set to play his 150th senior game for the West Gambier Football Club.
Wenman is a valuable asset to the West side and his efforts both in defence and when moved up forward have been first class once again this season.
Last week the Roos were best served by Todd Lewis, who was a strong force in the ruck and through the midfield, while coach Brad Wilson also had a solid performance.
He led his team by example, kicking three goals for the game, along with his usual class around the ground.
Kyle Giddings and Reid Kuller were two youngsters who demonstrated their talents last round and they will take to the field against more players their own age tomorrow, as they take on the young Demon lineup.
For South, last week saw the side put up a valiant effort against second-placed Millicent.
With scores close throughout the game, the Saints held just a four-point lead at half time, but were able to run away to a 48-point victory at the final siren.
Despite this loss, it shows once again the Demons do not lack talent and the young side should not be underestimated.
Brayden Kain had a standout performance last round, bagging an impressive six goals to finish equal with Millicent’s Matt Duldig.
Backed up by single goals from Brett O’Neil, Jack and Henri Capewell and Chris Williams, each of these players will be looked at to hit the scoreboard once again this week.
Ty Opie has been in fine form this season and his efforts last Saturday saw him with the best-on-ground honours, while fellow young-gun Alex Harkness also received a mention for his performance.
Kaleb Bowd is another rising star in South’s roster and he will be one to watch for West, as he has proven capable of playing an influential role this season.
Although being a relatively young squad, the Demons are not without experience within their ranks, as the likes of O’Niel, Brad Bryant, Kain and Jake Tentye bolster the lineup.
However, with West’s midfield consisting of the in-form Lawry Bradley-Brown, along with Wilson and Holmes, while Wenman stands strong in centre-half back, South may find it difficult to penetrate the Roos’ defence.
This clash should see West with a solid win on its home ground and cement its hold on third place, should the Cats claim the points over the Bulldogs.
