WEST Gambier has consolidates its position in the Western Border Football League finals, but will not bow down when it hosts North Gambier at Malseed Park in Round 15 tomorrow.
The Roos come off an upset victory over an undermanned Millicent outfit and will bring that same momentum into tomorrow’s match.
On the other hand, the Tigers are licking their wounds after a dismal performance against Casterton Sandford.
North posted just 2.3 against the Cats on their home deck at Vansittart Park in what has been a shock season turnaround from its 2017 performance, where it reached the grand final.
Finals are out of the question for the Tigers, but coach Winis Imbi – who this week announced he will step down from the role at the end of the season this week – will hope to lead his side to a win in his last two matches at the helm.
The Roos have defeated the Tigers on both occasions this year so far and will leave little in the tank this weekend.
West coach Brad Wilson will look to iron out any wrinkles in his side as the finals approach.
The Roos first battled with North in Round 5 of the competition and it was the latter who secured an early lead.
Six first-quarter goals handed the Tigers a 28-point lead at the first break, but the Roos soon bounced back into contention to trail by just six points at half time.
From there, West dominated the game to win by 27.
Tom Zeitz was a contributor to the turnaround.
The young gun booted an impressive six goals for the Roos at important moments in the game.
Lawry Bradley-Brown was also a play-maker through the midfield in the tight contest, while Todd Lewis’ ruck-work and Steve Wenman’s presence down back were also factors that contributed to West’s eventual victory.
Round 10’s clash between the two sides was a similar story, with the Tigers holding onto the game early, before a comeback from West in the second term turned the match on its head.
North managed to stick with the Roos for the majority of the game, but trailed by 17 points at the final siren.
Bradley-Brown was again a stand out through the middle of the ground.
He was joined by Tom Holmes and Wilson who also had solid games.
North will need to curb the influence of West’s dominant mid-field and that is no easy task.
Fraser Marshall has been back to his best form in recent weeks, but he will need assistance.
However, if West is to break through, the Tigers have the security in its defenders.
North’s backline is one of the toughest in the competition, with the likes of Tim McInerney, Mayson Ashby and Jake Schutz, who have all proved to be quality defenders.
West will find it tough to break through the trio, but with both Wilson and Zeitz causing havoc in front of goal, North will be occupied.
Zeitz returned to football in the Roos’ dominant victory over Millicent on the weekend after he suffered a broken arm in Round 8.
He and Wilson were the top goal-kickers of the game with five apiece.
The Tigers also have their fair share of quality forwards and the club’s current leading goal-kicker Tom McLennan will be one to watch.
Will Lewis is another to have troubled the Roos this season.
The young forward booted three of the Tigers’ eight goals in their last contest with West and the young forward will hope to cause similar grief for the Roos’ defence this weekend.
While North will hope to bounce back from its disappointing efforts against Casterton Sandford last round, West will come out all guns blazing with the aim to secure a victory.
The Roos – who currently sit in third on the Western Border ladder – have won as many games as the fourth-placed Bulldogs and this victory could see them gain an advantage.
East Gambier has a tough task against Millicent, which will seek redemption after its shock-loss to the Roos last Saturday.
While third place has no advantages to fourth when it comes to finals, it is no secret West will aim for the confidence boost as it draws closer to the business end of the season.
As a result, it will take the honours by a convincing margin against the Tigers tomorrow.
