Picture: THOMAS MILES
IT has been a tough start to the 2019 Western Border football season for the Millicent Saints.
The reigning premiers are yet to win a match after three rounds, but have a chance to change that statistic this weekend when they head to Blue Lake Sports Park to take on South Gambier.
While the Saints have been less than impressive, the Demons have also struggled, apart from a round-one victory over Casterton Sandford.
Other than that highlight, South suffered a big loss to North Gambier in round two, followed by a huge defeat at the hands of West Gambier last round.
Millicent has shown more ability to score in its three games so far, but its best effort is a 23-point loss to the Bulldogs in round two.
Both sides rely on young players to fill the ranks, but the Saints have probably been the biggest losers in the off-season.
Their ranks are down by nine players from the premiership-winning 2018 roster, which leaves some big holes to fill.
The Demons have lost players, but not to that extent.
Brett Exelby returned as coach of the Demons for the 2019 season, while Lyndon Smith took over the Millicent duties from Clint Gallio after the grand final.
Smith certainly has a big job this year and will need to rouse his troops on Saturday if they are to break the season’s early slump.
The likes of Hamish Smith and Sam Willis have been regulars on the scoreboard – Willis kicked five last round in the loss to Casterton Sandford – while Peter Duncan stepped up to the plate
against the Bulldogs to record three majors and Nick Ash contributed two in that game.
Lyndon Smith and Dylan Tincknell have been consistent performers, while Craig Gysbers has shown some resistance down back.
For South the opening round was clearly a highlight, but last week’s performance would weigh heavy on the roster.
It was a disappointing result for the Demons, who only managed two major scores for the game.
South did find another seven minor scores, but even that was no match for the 16.19 kicked by the Roos.
The only advantage the Demons have is the home ground, which they generally use to good effect.
That was the case in round one where they found 12 major scores, with six of those to star forward Brayden Kain.
If the Saints can stop delivery to Kain they will go a long way towards chalking up their first win.
What the game does promise is a tight contest, with some of the best young stars on display.
Millicent should have the strength to overcome the Demons.
