WEST Gambier plays host to East Gambier tomorrow in Round 12 of Western Border football, with a little extra hanging on the game.
The contest itself sees third versus fourth place at Malseed Park, but at the end of the day the two clubs play for the Call to Arms Cup.
The idea was originally introduced through the AFL, with West and East taking it to another level.
The two clubs incorporated the Phil Muhovics Medal for best on ground, to pay homage to a legend of the game and a well-respected member of the community.
Roos’ stalwart Graham Gill – who ran with the idea of the Call to Arms Cup when the AFL introduced it – said the whole day was about promoting awareness.
“The idea will support and promote awareness of men’s issues, like cancer,” he said.
“However, it is also about mateship, about being there for your mates on and off the field.
“Cancer is a big thing – we have all been touched by it – but there is more to it than that.
“It is about men’s health issues, being there to back your mates up in a genuine way, jumping in boots and all.”
Gill said too many times he sees the “she’ll be right” attitude when a man falls ill with cancer or another debilitating illness.
But he said it does not have to be that way.
“There are so many support groups out there, but blokes in Australia still want to bottle it up and ‘say she’ll be right’,” he said.
“That is admirable, but it can be more damaging than the illness itself.”
Gill said the Phil Muhovics medal was introduced when Muhovics passed away after a fight with cancer.
“He was a real blokes bloke, he kept things close to his chest,” Gill said.
“He was one of the nicest blokes you would ever meet, a gentle giant, but tough as nails on the football field.
“He would always be there for someone else, but when he got crook, he kept it to himself.
“He was a player and a coach for West and East.
“With his leadership skills and personality, everybody attached themselves to him.
“Because of the respect everyone has for Phil, it adds an edge to the game.
“I can assure you, whoever wins the medal, they earn it and they hold it in high esteem.”
On the game itself, Gill said West desperately wanted to win the cup, which the Bulldogs currently hold.
“East is determined to hold onto it, just like we want it back,” he said.
“This is third versus fourth, so there is also a bit more at stake.”
In the scheme of the season, West currently holds down third position, with the reigning premiers struggling this season to regain their 2017 form.
Just two premiership points separate the sides, with similar percentage points favouring the Roos.
It is a tough game to pick on season form, or head-to-head results this season.
West managed a huge win over East back in Round 4, but the Bulldogs turned that around in Round 8.
The Roos come off a comfortable win over South Gambier, while the Bulldogs knocked off the top-placed Casterton Sandford down at Island Park – an impressive effort considering the Cats’ performances on their home ground this season.
West will also welcome back ruckman Todd Lewis, who has been absent for the last couple of rounds, while East appears to have a strong side on the park.
If the Bulldogs can emulate last week’s performance and string together four quarters of quality football, the young Roos will be left wanting.
East will also want to put a little more space between fifth place as the season winds down.
The top four appears to be set, but mathematically there is still a chance of an upset, if either South or North can lift.
As has been the case this season, any side can record a victory if they are on the ball.
Either the Demons or the Tigers will come away with a win tomorrow when they face off at Blue Lake Sports Park, making a win for the Bulldogs even more important to cement their position in the top four.
