Picture: THOMAS MILES
LOOMING as the match-of-the-round, tomorrow’s round-six Western Border football clash between
East and West Gambier is expected to be another thrilling contest.
Last time the sides met a goal after the siren to Shaun King saw the Bulldogs claim the points in the season opener at Malseed Park and this time East holds the home-ground advantage.
Both teams sit with just one blemish on their record after five rounds of football and have shown several signs of greatness.
The Roos had a close call at McLaughlin Park last round, where a determined Millicent came from behind to take the lead in the final term.
West returned fire and claimed a seven-point victory in the end, but it was a little too close for comfort.
The Roos enjoyed another tight bout with North Gambier the round before and will be eager to hit hard early and prevent an arm wrestle tomorrow.
But if East has anything to say on the matter it will be far from easy and West will likely require another four-quarter effort if it is to remain in contention.
Lawry Bradley-Brown has been the not-so-secret weapon over at Malseed Park and has racked up an impressive number of possessions in most outings.
His work rate through the midfield will be required this weekend, while the likes of Tom Zeitz, Tom Holmes and Jesse Pfitzner will also hope to carry recent form into the clash.
Michael Minuzzo has hit his straps in recent games as well and his tackling pressure will be needed against the Bulldogs.
Ruckman Todd Lewis has also been in form and will look to provide his West teammates with first use of the football.
He will likely go up against East’s Kurt Rodis and Justin Baker, who rotated through the ruck and performed well against South last round.
Also among the Bulldogs’ best last week was Giancarlo Cooper, who provided plenty of run alongside Jayden Eldridge to help tear the game apart.
New recruit Robert Brewster also proved his worth and booted three goals to match Cooper’s efforts, while Luke Thomson continues to perform in the back-line and will look to
provide some resistance to West’s quick attack.
Matt Scanlon is another who will pose a challenge for the Roos’ forwards, but they have no shortage of goal-kicking options.
However, East has plenty of accurate boots as well, with the likes of Kevin Thomson and coach Matt Willson capable of making an impact when given the chance.
Injury woes may be the Bulldogs’ downfall tomorrow, with several players yet to return to the side, but the Roos’ legs are by no means fresh, as they come off the back of two hard-earned victories.
The game remains up for grabs and could easily fall either way, but West should have the edge to fight its way to another win.
