Picture: FRANK MONGER
ONLY one Western Border football team will remain undefeated at the completion of the split third round tomorrow, as North Gambier and East Gambier lock horns at Vansittart Park for the match of the round.
The sides sit one and two on the ladder respectively, both showing early dominance in the 2019 season.
The Tigers are just one win away from equalling their total victories from last year and have appeared rejuvenated in their first two hit outs under the on-field leadership of coach Justin McConnell.
High scoring has become the trademark for North in the opening rounds, with both totals exceeding 100 points.
That can be put down to the smooth passage of play through the midfield and the finishing touch of McConnell, who has banged through an impressive 14 majors in the two games.
The Bulldogs will need to be both strong in defence and accurate in front of goals if they are to remain in the contest at the Tigers’ home ground.
McConnell plans to make the venue a fortress for his team this year and based on the Anzac Day clash with South Gambier, there is yet to be evidence against his case.
The Demons stuck with North in the first half, but the Tigers took control of the match after the long break to claim a dominant 64-point win.
Hamish Telford was awarded the honour of the Tony Casadio medal for the umpires’ best-on-ground and he will be eager to replicate that performance in tomorrow’s match.
His efforts through the midfield and above his head saw him with several strong marks and dashes through the centre to set up opportunities to score.
Tom McLennan also carries form into the top-of-the-table clash and will provide another target in front of the big sticks.
He slotted three goals against South and stood tall in the Tigers’ offensive half as they tore apart the young Demons’ outfit.
The likes of Nick McInerney and Fraser Marshall can tear open a midfield and drive the ball into the forward 50.
However, with Matt Scanlon leading the Bulldogs’ defence against Millicent last round, he will likely provide a brick wall once again.
John Forster comes off the back of a dominant performance, which saw him create momentum and combine well with Jayden Eldridge to move the ball through the middle of the ground.
As is often the case, it will be the team which takes control of the midfield which will have the advantage and both teams boast talent in that area.
East playing coach Matt Willson will rally his troops and provide a reliable target for any cleared ball, while Eldridge and Kevin Thomson led the way on the scoreboard last round.
They finished with two goals each in a consistent team performance against the Saints and will be eager to repeat or better those efforts tomorrow.
With an injury cloud over several players from the “kennel”, the ability for others to step up and fill roles is a must, or North will make them pay for it.
As it stands the match is one not to miss and could easily go either way, but based on the high-scoring efforts of the Tigers so far, it will be hard to knock them off the top spot.
