WEST Gambier will look to assert its authority on home turf when it hosts South Gambier at Malseed Park tomorrow in round three of the 2019 Western Border Football season.
Despite an even win/loss record, the home side sits well-placed in the top three of the ladder after encouraging performances in the opening two rounds.
But West will be desperate to banish the ghosts from its last home game, which saw a heart-breaking after-the-siren defeat to East Gambier in round one.
Despite that loss, the Roos jump into this clash with a boost of confidence after a solid 41-point win across the border over Casterton Sandford.
In contrast South starts on the back foot after a heavy defeat to North Gambier and will want to make up for the disappointing finish.
Converting in front of goal will be high on the agenda for Demons coach Brett Exelby, after his side failed to capitalise on its chances, out-scored by 59 points in the final three quarters of the game.
However, South can turn to its two-point win against the Cats in round one for inspiration, but the Demons will face a challenge to keep up with a fast Roos outfit.
The young West line up possesses plenty of speed thanks to its off-season recruits who have fitted in nicely to create a strong line up.
Tom Zeitz has enjoyed a solid start to the season with two quality performances and will loom large in defence, as will Steve Wenman, whose intercept marking ability was a pivotal factor to the Roos’ interstate success.
Lawry Bradley-Brown excelled in the midfield and will look to replicate his best-on-ground performance and inspire his side to another win.
Youngster Jett Attard impressed to score a game-high three goals, while Garret Ha also appeared in fine form with solid marking and straight kicking, which resulted in two goals and a mention in the best players at Island Park.
A major strength of the West side was the wide spread of goal-scorers, with no less than nine players booting majors in the win, which playing coach Brad Wilson will draw on to pile the pressure on tomorrow.
In contrast, only three Demons could find the goals in their last match and their lack of goal scorers could be the difference between the sides.
In the back-line, South’s answer will be Taylor Saffin who stepped up to defend star North forward Justin McConnell solidly for the majority of the contest.
In the middle of the ground, Brett O’Neil, Jake Tentye and Liam Denton are South’s key mid-fielders who will add running ability to their side.
The Demons are also well served with pace in the forward-line with youngsters Todd Reid and Kyle Jones tough to catch in support of star goal-kicker Brayden Kain.
Kain has enjoyed a lightning start to the season with nine majors next to his name and this number will continue to rise if South can challenge for victory.
A win for either side will propel them into a strong top-three position on the ladder and if the Demons can mount a challenge for the talented West outfit, an entertaining game could be on show.
The Roos will start as favourites in familiar surroundings and if they can replicate their strong performance in Casterton, the determined South squad will have to push hard to finish on top at the final siren.
