IT will be meeting full of unknowns when reigning premier Millicent hosts North Gambier in the opening round of Western Border football tomorrow.
Both teams are under new leadership this year, with Lyndon Smith taking the Saints’ reins from outgoing coach Clint Gallio, while the Tigers will see the return of Justin McConnell to the top job.
The two playing coaches can be expected to bring a fresh game plan to their respective teams and it will be a good test for both sides.
For North, this season will be a matter of redemption, after a mediocre 2018 saw it with just three wins and a fifth-place finish.
To add to the mystery of the match, there have
been big changes in the Millicent camp during the off-season, with a list of premiership players out of the side.
As a result, the Saints can be expected to field a younger team this season.
However, there is no shortage of talent coming through the ranks, as the Under 17’s also claimed the flag last September.
That argues the point Millicent has the strongest juniors in the league to feed into its senior ranks.
Rumours have also stirred surrounding former Saints who may return home to play in 2019, but whether there is any truth behind those speculations will have to wait until tomorrow.
The usual performers in 2018 league best and fairest Tom Hutchesson, Dylan Bromley and young-gun Sam Willis will all be out to make an impact in round one, while Smith will be eager to lead
his team by example, off the back of a solid season in the premiership side.
However, commitments with the Adelaide Crows in the South Australian National Football League may see Hutchesson unavailable throughout the season.
The Saints will have their work cut out, with the Tigers boasting plenty of talent, not reflected in their results of recent years.
Nick McInerney will be a valuable inclusion, after injury spoiled his 2018 season, while the likes of Nick Blachut, Tom McLennan, Jake Schultz and Nick Moretti can be expected to perform as well.
McConnell will also slot into the team and provides a strong target up forward for North.
The only heavy blow to the side is the loss of Brock Egan, who joins Penola in the Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara Football League for 2019.
On paper the Tigers should be a tough opponent, but that was often the case last season, with the side unable to take full advantage of its talented roster.
Last year the Tigers suffered at the hands of Millicent in all three encounters, with the Saints only losing as many games as North won.
That was the difference between second and fifth on the ladder, but North appears set for a more fruitful season, should injury not plague the side.
As it stands the points remain up for grabs, with the opening round clash sure to shine some light on where the two teams will sit in the 2019 competition.
