By Trevor Jackson
THE Western Border Football League is approaching the post season, with just the one minor round now to be played this weekend.
It comes after an up-and-down season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw games postponed and cancelled.
Casterton Sandford faced the brunt of the issues, having to comply with Victorian and South Australian restrictions, which saw the Cats miss a couple of rounds.
The South Gambier v Casterton Sandford game set down for this weekend has also been cancelled, with the Cats unable to cross the border.
In reality it makes no difference to the final ladder positions, with the Demons six points clear at the pointy end.
As for the remaining positions, Millicent sits in second, ahead of East Gambier, both on 18 points.
North sits four points further adrift.
One of the big talking points is the chance for Saints spearhead Gene Robinson to kick 100 goals in a season.
Not only that, but in a shortened season.
Just a few short weeks ago it appeared the major milestone would not be reached, but Robinson now sits on 99 goals and the Saints head to McDonald Park to face East Gambier tomorrow.
Of course the Bulldogs would surely like to prevent Robinson from reaching his milestone, but as he has shown this season, it is hard to hold him down.
In fact, of the 14 games he has played this season, all have produced multiple goals, with the games against South and North his lowest with two majors.
It will certainly be a big draw-card at the Kennel as he chases that coveted honour.
Both East and Millicent are also vying for that second position on the ladder, to add a bit extra spice to the game.
East would approach the game with plenty of confidence, coming off a big win over the ladder-leading Demons.
Beau Nunan led the charge with four goals, while a host of other Bulldogs put their hands up in front of the big sticks.
For the Saints it was an equally-impressive performance against the Tigers, with that man Robinson bagging eight majors.
While Robinson does tend to dominate the score cards for the Saints, there were seven individual goal kickers in the 53-point victory over the Tigers.
In the other game the Tigers host West Gambier at Vansittart Park and while the home side would start as favourite, in a season where anything has been possible, it could be the last upset before finals.
North will still be licking their wounds from last round, while the Roos compiled a big total against the Cats, which would provide some confidence.
West would also love to claim another scalp in a season which will not see post-season action.
For league president Michael Summers it is a welcome weekend of football, which he hopes will herald and equally exciting finals series.
He said to see Robinson with a chance to kick 100 goals is a real highlight.
“It will be a good game and to see someone kick 100 is a great achievement, especially in 15 games,” Summers said.
“He is definitely worth going to watch … he is a standout.”
Summers said hopefully everything involved with the coronavirus pandemic would continue to go well and the finals will go ahead with no issues.
The WBFL has certainly worked hard to keep the season on track, with Summers pleased it has reached this stage.
“We are very happy,” he said.
“We lost two games to Victorian COVID rules, but everyone has played each other three times except for the two Casterton games, so it is an even playing field.
“This weekend shows Millicent and East are still vying for that second spot and I think there are three teams vying for second spot in B Grade.
“It has been one of those seasons where anything can happen right down to the last kick.
“It has been really rewarding we have stuck it out.”
As for a favourite for the 2021 flag, Summers was in two minds – more like four actually.
“Four weeks ago I would have said South by how far in the grand final,” he said.
“Now you throw Millicent in the mix, I wouldn’t right off North and East is right in it.
“I know North has lost Brad Stafford, but they get Sam Stafford up and firing and their mid-field, McConnell is waiting in the background to kick his four or five goals – they are a dark horse.
“Anyone in that top four can still win it from where they are.
“I can’t wait for the finals … it is going to be a cracker.”
