By Trevor Jackson
THE excitement is building, with the Western Border Football League releasing its draw for the upcoming 2021 season, which is set to kick off on April 10.
With the recent confirmation of Casterton Sandford remaining in the league, a full competition has again been set down.
Two byes are in place for the interleague competition and Country Championships.
Finals commence on August 14 with the second semi-final at Casterton, followed by the first semi-final at Millicent, the preliminary final at South Gambier and the grand final at West Gambier.
Times are yet to be confirmed, with some night games expected.
League president Michael Summers said he was pleased to have the draw set, with all news relating to clubs positive.
“At this stage everyone is training full steam ahead,” he said.
“Junior numbers in Under 14s are really good, with some clubs talking about having two teams.
“Unfortunately numbers in Under 18s have dropped off a bit, with some young blokes having commitments with work or other things.”
Summers said the news at Casterton was positive for the league.
“Casterton is fully on board and have had 30-36 at training both nights so far,” he said.
“As long as we don’t have and issue with COVID we should be right.
“This time last year we were moving long nicely, then all of a sudden in March – bang.
“But at the moment everyone is training and happy.
“We are getting some quality players back in the league which is good.”
Summers said times for games would be confirmed in the coming weeks.
2021 Western Border Football League fixture
10/04/2021 – Round 1: East Gambier v West Gambier; Millicent v South Gambier; North Gambier v Casterton Sandford.
17/04/2021 – Round 2: South Gambier v West Gambier; Casterton Sandford v Millicent; North Gambier v East Gambier.
24/04/2021 – Round 3: West Gambier v Millicent; East Gambier v Casterton Sandford.
25/04/2021 – Round 3: South Gambier v North Gambier.
1/05/2021 – Round 4: West Gambier v Casterton Sandford; Millicent v North Gambier; East Gambier v South Gambier.
8/05/2021 – Round 5: North Gambier v West Gambier; East Gambier v Millicent; Casterton Sandford v South Gambier.
15/05/2021 – Round 6: West Gambier v East Gambier; South Gambier v Millicent;Casterton Sandford v North Gambier.
22/05/2021 – Round 7: West Gambier v South Gambier; Millicent v Casterton Sandford; East Gambier v North Gambier.
29/05/2021 – Round 8: Millicent v West Gambier; North Gambier v South Gambier; Casterton Sandford v East Gambier.
5/06/2021 – Round 9: Casterton Sandford v West Gambier; North Gambier v Millicent; South Gambier v East Gambier.
12/06/2021 – BYE for Interleague.
19/06/2021 – Round 10: West Gambier v North Gambier; Millicent v East Gambier; South Gambier v Casterton Sandford.
26/06/2021 – Round 11: East Gambier v West Gambier; Millicent v South Gambier; North Gambier v Casterton Sandford.
3/07/2021 – Round 12: South Gambier v West Gambier; Casterton Sandford v Millicent; North Gambier v East Gambier.
10/07/2021 – BYE for Country Championships.
17/07/2021 – Round 13: West Gambier v Millicent; South Gambier v North Gambier; Casterton Sandford v East Gambier.
24/07/2021 – Round 14: West Gambier v Casterton Sandford; Millicent v North Gambier; East Gambier v South Gambier.
31/07/2021 – Round 15: North Gambier v West Gambier; East Gambier v Millicent; Casterton Sandford v South Gambier.
7/08/2021 – Round 16: West Gambier v East Gambier; Millicent v Casterton Sandford; South Gambier v North Gambier.
14/08/2021 Second Semi Final – Casterton.
21/08/2021 First Semi Final – Millicent.
28/08/2021 Preliminary Final – South Gambier.
4/09/2021 Grand Final – West Gambier.
