Roos jump into Millicent clash with confidence after taking ladder lead

Tom Zeitz Crop Dsc 918320190525  TBW Newsgroup
LEAPS AHEAD: West defender Tom Zeitz has a standout in 2019 and will look to continue his strong form when the Roos host Millicent at Malseed Park for round 10 of the 2019 Western Border Football season. Picture: THOMAS MILES

Tom Zeitz Crop Dsc 918320190525 TBW Newsgroup
LEAPS AHEAD: West defender Tom Zeitz hasbeenĀ  a standout in 2019 and will look to continue his strong form when the Roos host Millicent at Malseed Park for round 10 of Western Border football. Picture: THOMAS MILES

WEST Gambier will look to continue its winning streak when it hosts Millicent tomorrow at Malseed Park for round 10 of Western Border football.

The Roos jump into the clash in hot form after their big away win over North Gambier.

The 15-point victory extended West’s winning streak to eight games and the side is now a match clear at the top of the ladder looking set for a premiership push.

However, the Saints will use the last clash between these two sides as inspiration to create a stunning upset over the flag favourites.

In scrappy conditions, Millicent was within reach of a dramatic victory after it pushed West to the final siren at McLaughlin Park.

It was the Saints’ most memorable performance of a forgettable year and playing coach Lyndon Smith will hope his team leaders can recreate their spirited effort.

Mitchell Reilly kicked a bag of five goals and found support from Peter Duncan with three majors in that match, while the side’s leading goal scorer Sam Willis, slotted one at a crucial point in the game.

The trio and the entire forward line will be desperate to return to form after a poor showing at home last week.

Just two majors were kicked by Millicent in a low-scoring defeat to South Gambier and if the Saints want to avoid another embarrassment, that figure must improve.

Jonah Grimes has shown consistent form, while Dylan Tincknell also impressed.

After the unexpected scare in the proceeding clash, the Roos will not take the struggling Millicent outfit lightly and West playing coach Brad Wilson will demand another big effort from his stars to claim the four points.

Classy Roos’ on-baller Lawry Bradley-Brown has been a Sherrin magnet all season and shows no signs of slowing down, while Michael Minuzzo dominated the clearances on the big stage against the Tigers.

West’s back-six has been crucial to its success, with no side able to come close to reaching triple figures against the likes of Tom Zeitz and Jesse Pfitzner.

Pfitzner has strung a couple of strong games together in recent matches and will line up for his 100th senior match.

New recruit Ben Papps has built a presence in front of goal and Jett Attard has been a live wire inside 50, while ruckman Todd Lewis rose to the challenge last week.

The Saints will hope the expected showers will arrive to even out the lopsided fixture.

But as the Roos now hold the home ground advantage and have played far better and more consistent football throughout the season, a repeat of the unexpected round five thriller is unlikely.

Expect West to easily continue its winning streak with a percentage-boosting victory.