ANZAC Day is upon us and that means Western Border football showcases sport in the region.
North Gambier will host the blockbuster at Vansittart Park today against South Gambier, with both sides capable of a win.
In recent years the contests have been tight and this time around it promises to be the same.
Last year North claimed the honours at Blue Lake Sports Park, with the Demons sure to want to return the favour today at the home of the Tigers.
The Demons come off the bottom of the ladder from last year, while the Tigers were just one position ahead.
However, both managed wins in the opening round of the season and will look to carry the momentum forward.
Round one saw South with a tough win over Casterton Sandford at Blue Lake Sports Park, where the Cats led at every break.
But the Demons fought back hard in the final term under the tutelage of returning coach Brett Exelby and closed the game out with a late flurry.
That showed plenty of grit from the young side, with the promise of more to come in 2019.
Brayden Kain was on fire in front of goals, with six majors.
The Tigers were equally impressive against the reigning premier Millicent.
The game was in the balance until the long break, then the Tigers flexed their muscles and ran away with the contest to record a huge win.
Incoming North coach Justin McConnell returned to the league in style with eight major scores to bury any hopes the Saints may have held of a victory.
While those results were certainly interesting, today will be more so, to see where both sides sit head to head.
Last year North managed just three wins, while South could only muster two.
It makes for a tough task to pick a winner, with both mid-fields working well.
For the Demons Brett O’Neil has plenty of help, with the likes of Jake Tentye and Liam Denton adding run around the ground against the Cats to break the lines.
The young brigade stepped up to the challenge, with Todd Reid and Kyle Jones both hitting the scoreboard when the Demons really needed it.
Casterton Sandford is historically a tough opponent, so the South young guns should be able to step up again against the Tigers’ back six and find the big sticks.
While North did topple the reigning premiers, it is no secret the Saints have lost some important personnel in the off season.
That makes it tough to judge the real potency of the Tigers so far.
However, it was not just McConnell who found the big sticks, as Michael Telford and Nick McInerney managed three majors each, while Tom McLennan bagged two.
It makes for plenty of options for the Tigers up forward as well, while the likes of Nick Blachut, Jake Schutz and Dylan Munn will provide pace out of the back half and through the mid-field to feed those hungry forwards.
It all adds up to an intriguing contest.
It was not too many years ago these two sides were the benchmark of the competition and while it may take some time to return to those glory years, both are well on the way.
Exelby will lead his charges from the sidelines, while McConnell will ply his trade again from on the ground.
Today should be a classic Anzac Day arm wrestle and it is anyone’s guess what the outcome may be.
At the end of the day the best on ground will be awarded the coveted Tony Casadio medal, in memory of the fallen soldier.
Of course the day would not be complete without the usual respect paid to those who have stood tall in the heat of real battle throughout history, which always provides a sombre reality check for those in attendance.
DAY’S PROCEEDINGS
12:05pm: Reserves game starts (no siren before noon).
1.45pm: A Grade Umpires enter the field; North Gambier enter the field with club song playing; South Gambier enter the field with club song playing.
1.50pm: Teams and club officials, including umpires, guests and netballers line up.
1.55pm: RSL president Bob Sandow to open ceremony; RSL vice president Peter Bruhn to address crowd and recite the Ode.
2.02pm: Bugler Graham Marks to play the Last Post.
2.05pm: Introduction of Mulga Street primary school choir to sing the national anthem.
2.08pm: Introduction of captains; Roy Underwood and his daughter Kerry (family members of the late Shirley Underwood) to toss the coin.
2:10pm: Senior side’s final warm up.
Game to start as close to 2:15pm as possible.
At the conclusion of the game, both teams will stay on the field for the presentation of the Tony Casadio Medal.
4.30pm: Under 18s game begins.
