WEST Gambier will look to cement third-place on the Western Border football ladder with a solid victory over South Gambier at Blue Lake Sports Park in Round 12 today.
Punters would certainly choose the Roos to get over the line this weekend, but the Demons have shown glimpses of impressive football and should not be underestimated.
South has been a bottom-tier side in the football league the last two seasons, after years of success and the Roos are no stranger to that feeling.
While the Demons have caused upsets against both North Gambier and East Gambier this season, it still occupies the dreaded bottom position on the ladder.
West was forced to settle for the wooden spoon last year, but has turned its fate around in 2018.
The Roos have a firm grip on finals football this season and sit a comfortable three wins ahead of fifth-placed North coming into the final five games of the year.
The inclusion of playing coach Brad Wilson has contributed to the turn-around, as has the signing of Tom Holmes.
Both Wilson and Holmes were key members in the Roos’ recent premiership success and their influence on the young members of the team this season has been invaluable.
Brad Bryant was a big influence on South’s success in recent seasons and he has been severely missed this year.
Bryant has been sidelined with a hand injury for some time and has played just six of the 11 games this season.
He donned the Demons’ uniform for the first time in weeks last round and after another fortnight off, should be raring and ready for tomorrow’s game.
The classy footballer is one of the key players – with the exception of Brett O’Neil and Brayden Kain – and will have an influence on the game, wherever he lines up tomorrow.
South will be eager to get its full side out on the ground, particularly with the talent West boasts in the mid-field.
Its depth does not stop at Wilson and Holmes, but continues through to Lawry Bradley-Brown who is arguably in career-best form.
Bradley-Brown is rarely absent from the best player accolades and deservingly so.
Sam Zeitz is another footballer to have stood up to the challenge for the Roos this season.
While all these factors weigh heavily in West’s favour, the ledger is some-what levelled with the absence of Todd Lewis.
The tall and agile ruckman is holidaying overseas and leaves a big hole to fill.
With Lewis missing and the home-ground advantage on South’s side, the hosts could swing the momentum their way early.
The Demons have several stars in the making, including youngster Henri Capewell.
West will need to slow the delivery into the forward 50 because Capewell has shown his ability to mark inside the arc and finish off.
Add to that current league leading goal-kicker Kain and the Roos’ defence line is sure to be busy.
Kain has kicked 39 goals so far this season, despite South claiming just two victories.
The tough assignment of shutting down the Demons’ forwards will more than likely be led by Steven Wenman.
Wenman’s ability to bring the ball to ground, but also run off half back is what makes him one of the keys to the Roos’ success in 2018.
The tough centre-half-back will be well supported by the likes of co-captain Jesse Pfitzner, Levi Morton and Kyle Giddings who are all having solid seasons.
With key players missing and several youngsters lining up, it could make for an intriguing clash.
West looks to have the upper-hand personnel wise, but if South can win the football out of the middle and deliver the ball cleanly into the full-forward, the Roos could be in trouble.
However, it is unlikely West will leave this clash to chance, particularly with the possibility of cementing third on the ladder – ahead of East – up for grabs.
