THERE will be a point to prove from both sides when South Gambier makes the cross-border trip to face Casterton Sandford tomorrow in round six of Western Border football.
Back in round one the Demons surprised the Cats with a come-from-behind victory, which saw them snatch the lead in the final quarter at Blue Lake Sports Park.
That win was a big turnaround for the young side, which finished bottom of the ladder last year, while the Cats reign as minor premiers.
It has been hit-and-miss from there on for the Demons, with big losses to both North and West Gambier, followed by a win over Millicent.
Last week they went down to East Gambier by 48 points.
However, there have been plenty of positives in the South camp, with its junior talent stepping to new heights.
Todd Reid has been in career-best form, while the likes of Kyle Jones, Kaleb Bowd and Colby Munro – to name a few – have all had impacts on South’s game.
The absence of Brett O’Neil due to injury has weighed heavily on the side, but there remains other experienced heads in the roster.
Jake Tentye will want to replicate his round-one performance against the Cats, as he was in blinding form in the previous meeting.
Recruit Liam Denton also adds a wealth of experience to the side and Bronson Saffin is another on-field leader, while Brayden Kain looms as an ever-reliable target in the forward line.
The Cats have not had the ideal start to the season and although coach Hamish Jarrad expects his side to lift in the second half of the year, it will need to up its game soon to prevent falling too far behind.
The Victorians have just one win so far – a 31-point success over the win-less Saints – and come off the back of an 86-point thrashing at the hands of the Tigers.
They will need to back themselves on their home ground and maintain intensity for the full four quarters.
That is something the Cats are yet to do and they have often dropped off in the second half and allowed the lead to switch hands.
Although match fitness may not be there yet, there is no shortage of talent in the Cats’ lineup and if they can come out firing they may be able to put South away early and avoid another upset.
Will Macdonald has been at the pointy end of the Cats’ top performers all year and has been their best-on-ground in three of the five games.
His versatility to play in several positions makes him a valuable asset and he will be keen to put in another solid game.
Also in form is Justin Carlin, who has had a breakout start to the season and will put in 100pc again tomorrow.
The likes of Daniel Richardson, Jackson Gibbs and Tom Sullivan can also make a difference when needed and will need to step up early in the contest to keep the Demons at
bay.
As it stands the Cats should enter the clash as favourites, even if only for the home-ground advantage at Island
Park.
