Picture: JAMES MURPHY
THERE will be a cat fight at Vansittart Park tomorrow, when North Gambier hosts Casterton Sandford in round five of Western Border football.
The big cats head into the match as favourites, as the Tigers have dropped just one game for the season after a tight defeat to West Gambier last week.
They will want to bounce back with a solid victory tomorrow and are yet to lose on their home turf in 2019.
However, if their cross-border rivals have anything to say it will not come easily, with the Cats hungry for their second win.
Casterton Sandford had the game in its grasp at half time against East Gambier last round, but a massive nine-goal third quarter from the Bulldogs put the Cats to rest.
There remains positives to take from the clash and if
the Cats can maintain intensity for four quarters, North could face another tight battle.
But it will be no easy task, as the Tigers boast a rejuvenated side this year.
North has shown it is capable of scoring big and if the Cats can not match their pace, the hosts will run away with the game.
A major contributor to that success has been coach Justin McConnell, who has banged through an impressive 23 goals from four games.
The Roos shut down McConnell last week, when Jesse Pfitzner – aided by his fellow backmen – kept the star forward to a quiet two goals.
If the Cats can do the same they will be in with a chance, but there remains plenty of capable Tigers who can step up in front of goal.
They include the likes of Tom McLennan, Fraser Marshall and Michael Telford, while Tom Bruhn and Hamish Telford both carry hot form into the match.
However, the Cats have no shortage of talent and as their relatively new roster continues to gel, they will only improve.
Dylan Ayton led the way on the scoreboard with four goals in an impressive game last week, while new recruit Nicholas Georgiadis banged through two.
Will Macdonald was dangerous in the ruck and around the ground and was named as best-on-ground for his efforts.
He will look to replicate that performance again tomorrow.
Faced with either Brett Kennedy or Sam Stafford in the ruck throughout the game, Macdonald will fight hard to give the Cats first use of the ball.
Justin Carlin has been in arguably career-best form this season and will also come off the back of a solid game, while Daniel Richardson, Josh Searle and Tom Sullivan can make a difference around the ground or in front of goals.
The youth in the side is also promising, with the likes of Jackson Gibbs, Gabe Parsons and Ben Guthrie are all able to make an impact.
Although the Tigers will head into the clash as favourites, this season has proven to expect the unexpected and should the Cats be at their best, a close battle could ensue.
