WESTERN Border football returns tomorrow after a break for the South East Zone carnival last week, with the match of the round between West Gambier and Millicent at Malseed Park.
The Round 9 clash promises to be an entertaining contest, with both sides tasting success this season.
The Saints have enjoyed a solid first half of the season, with six wins, one loss and a draw, but will need to be on their toes against the Roos, who have also been around the mark in 2018.
West has certainly been one of the surprise packages this season, with four wins from its eight games, including an impressive effort over the reigning premiers East Gambier back in Round 4.
That game saw the Bulldogs kick just three major scores for the day, while the Roos banged on 10 of their own.
Of course that was four rounds ago and the Bulldogs hit back in Round 8 with a big win on the back of a solid third term.
For the Saints it has been a better run, with their only blemish coming at the hands of Casterton Sandford – the same side they drew with last.
Apart from a close win in Round 1, plus a decisive loss to the Cats, Millicent continues to improve and has certainly thrown a challenge up to the remainder of the league.
The Saints come off that dramatic draw against ladder-leaders Casterton Sandford, while the Roos were dealt a 30-point defeat at the hands of the Bulldogs.
Last time the Saints and Roos met – back in Round 3 – Millicent was a big winner on its home deck.
The 63-point margin was helped along by a bag of seven goals from Sam Willis, with Dylan Bromley adding a further five to the coffers.
Both continue to play good football, with Matt Duldig now finding his range in front of goals, adding to the Saints’ firepower.
Steve Wenman will no doubt have the job to close him down, but with so many other goal kickers in the side, the Roos could find themselves short in that area.
With runners such as Tom Hutchesson, Hamish Gordon and Lyndon Smith – to name just a few – supply up forward is not an issue.
Millicent coach Clint Gallio will continue to improve as he chalks up more game time since his long-awaited return from injury, while the likes of Jonah Grimes – who comes off an impressive effort at the South East Zone carnival – will no doubt bring some momentum into this clash.
Grimes was awarded best Under 21 for the Western Border league at the representative level after some solid efforts in the ruck contests throughout the day.
Hutchesson was also impressive in the carnival and is certainly in form at the moment.
Millicent was also represented by several other players, while for West only Sam Zeitz found his way into the Western Border team.
However, that should not detract from the Saints’ performance on Saturday, with a full week off for those players to recover, despite the bulk of the Roos having that extra rest.
West prime movers Tom Holmes and coach Brad Wilson will certainly be up for the challenge, but a permanent forward has eluded the Roos this season.
It is something desperately needed if West is to push deep into the finals series.
While the Roos have certainly pushed the envelope this season, it is hard to mount a case for them against the Saints, even with the home-ground advantage.
Millicent is simply running hot at the moment and should win this one in a hard-fought contest that is billed as the match of the round.
