Picture: THOMAS MILES
ROUND four of Western Border football provides plenty of intrigue, with no team out of contention for a win.
After a staggered opening three rounds, tomorrow’s fixture sees three games played on the same day for the first time since round one, due to the Anzac Day clash and a split third round.
However, it is smooth sailing from here on and teams will now be eager to see exactly where they slot into the competition.
Tomorrow will be a good indication of that and the top-of-the-table clash between North Gambier and West Gambier at Malseed Park looms as the match of the round.
The Tigers sit on top of the ladder with an unbeaten record, while the Roos have gone from strength-to-strength since their after-the-siren loss to East Gambier back in round one.
West carries plenty of momentum into the clash, after thrashing South Gambier to the tune of 96 points last week.
The convincing win saw an even contribution from West, with the highest score a four-goal haul from Jett Attard.
Lawry Bradley-Brown was in dangerous form and found plenty of the ball on the way to his second best-on-ground performance.
He will be one to watch again tomorrow, while the likes of Michael Minuzzo and Tom Holmes also come off solid matches.
Garret Ha’s reliable hands will be needed more than ever, as his marking ability has been a vital part of the Roos’ forward line entry.
Aided by the speed of West’s midfield the Tigers will need to step up if they are to keep their flawless run intact.
Despite the home-ground advantage, it will be no easy feat to overcome North.
It’s lowest count was a 12-goal haul against the Bulldogs last week, with the solid totals put down to reliable deliveries into attack and the accuracy of coach Justin McConnell.
He banged through seven majors last week and sits comfortably on top of the league goal-kicking standings with 21 – 12 straight kicks clear of South’s Brayden Kain.
However, West has several capable defenders who could cut off his connections to the Tigers’ hard-working midfield.
McConnell made short work of East’s Riley Janeway last week, but if faced with the likes of Steve Wenman or Tom Zeitz – to name a couple of options – he may need to work harder for possession.
Hamish Telford is one Tiger who has been instrumental to North’s deliverance down the field, while the in-form Tom McLennan is another option in front of goals should McConnell find himself double teamed.
The likes of Nick McInerney, Nick Blachut and Fraser Marshall add speed to the Tigers’ midfield, while Michael Telford has also been a valuable piece of the puzzle and carries form into the match.
Heading into the game it is anyone’s guess who will claim victory, but the team which can capitalise early may well hold the advantage which will result in a win.
North did that against East last round with five unanswered goals in the opening term, while West had a slower start against the Demons.
However, it is a new round and it will all come down to the toss to see who starts the encounter on their own terms.
