SOUTH Gambier will host rivals North Gambier for the first time this season at Blue Lake Sports Park tomorrow in round seven of Western Border football.
The Tigers will look to consolidate their position at the top of the ladder with a big victory, while the Demons hope the home ground advantage can keep them in the hunt.
South has won both its home games this season against Casterton Sandford and Millicent, but North will be a different proposition and begin the fixture as resounding favourites after a crushing 64-point win in their most recent match up on Anzac Day.
South’s talented forward duo Brayden Kain and Todd Reid are the two major targets in front of goals, with Kain the club’s leading goal scorer with 17, while Reid has kicked seven majors.
If the Demons are to mount a challenge, the two will need to continue their goal kicking feats, but the North defence will be determined to reduce their impact.
Another contributor for South is speedy youngster Kyle Jones who provides plenty of energy and often pitches in with a goal or two.
Ruckman Scott Fleming and midfielder Bronson Saffin were in good form last round against the Cats and will hope to build on it against a more challenging opposition.
The Tigers were well represented at the interleague carnival in Naracoorte, with Michael Telford, Nick McInerney, Dylan Munn, Tom McLennan, Jordan Hollitt and Jake Schutz all valuable contributors to Western Border’s successful campaign.
These players all are vital links to North’s game plain, but this could be affected by the possible absence of star playing-coach Justin McConnell.
McConnell missed the Tigers’ last match against Millicent due to a calf injury and may not want to rush back into his heavy goal-scoring role.
Although he is a big loss, being the competition’s leading goal scorer, North has plenty of options up forward to take the role.
Nick Moretti and McLennan kicked nine goals between them last round in their leader’s absence and will be ready to step up if called upon.
Anzac medallist Hamish Telford appears in ominous form to replicate his feats against South again after he received top votes in his last match and will be tough to catch on the wing.
With South and North sitting first and fifth respectively on the ladder, the result appears clear on paper.
However, the Demons have grown an extra leg when playing at home and will want to keep that proud record in tact, while the Tigers may not be at full strength.
But North will be tough to keep up with across the four quarters and should remain at the top of the ladder with a comfortable victory.
