IN a Western Border football round full of one-sided fixtures, the South Gambier and East Gambier clash at Blue Lake Sports Park tomorrow appears the most likely to be a competitive fight.
Both sides will be desperate to achieve victory and gain ground on their respective rivals on the ladder.
The home side has endured a more painful run than many of its opponents this season, but the Demons are currently locked in a tight battle with Casterton Sandford for the last finals ticket.
In contrast the Bulldogs sit in a rather comfortable third spot, but have struggled to keep up with front-runners North Gambier and West Gambier.
A big East win will be just what coach Matt Willson demands from his side to remain a top premiership contender.
Determined to not let it happen will be a buoyed South outfit after its first win in five rounds over reigning premier Millicent.
Although the youngsters have been one of the big positives of the Demons’ campaign, it was the more experienced heads who stood tall and earned the four points in a scrappy affair at McLaughlin Park.
If South is to upset East, its ability to hit the scoreboard must improve, as it has failed to break the 50-point barrier in its last five attempts.
However, South coach Brett Exelby would be pleased his players took a turn in the right direction with multiple goal scorers in last week’s slippery conditions.
Youngster Emerson Marks celebrated his first two senior majors to lead the list, while he was joined by Jake Tentye, Brayden Kain, Dion Stratford and Nick Kourmouzis with one each.
Marks and Kourmouzis are the latest young guns to make their mark for the red and white, joining the likes of Kyle Jones and Todd Reid.
Kain is the Demon’s main target inside 50, but has struggled to replicate his fast start in recent weeks, while Tentye has been a solid contributor across the board and Brent Howard has stepped up around the ground.
Stratford has occasionally pushed up the ground, as Bronson Saffin has controlled the backline.
But after disposing a down-on-confidence Saints squad, a much sterner test will face the home side against the Bulldogs.
Injury has plagued East all season with new recruit Jeremy Clayton and key forward Robert Brewster the latest to drop out of the senior side.
But on the field, a four-goal run in the second quarter ensured the Bulldogs got over the line against the Cats.
It was a much-needed win for East after a confidence-draining defeat at the hands of North.
Versatile defender Matt Scanlon continued to impress – this time in the forward 50 rather than down back – with a game-high three-goal haul.
Kevin Thompson continued his regular feats in front of the big sticks and Giancarlo Cooper enjoyed a strong time out when he last faced the Demons, but has been inconsistent since.
Willson returned to the field from injury and had an immediate impact with a goal, while Jack Dawe continues to pinch in with the odd six pointer.
Grady Janeway and Shem Balshaw impressed around the contests in the wet and will be keen to build on their form.
If South’s forwards can consistently find the big sticks, the Demons can certainly pose a threat to the Bulldogs side in familiar conditions.
However, East’s playing group will be confident they have the depth and talent to earn a solid win.
