James Murphy
MILLICENT v SOUTH GAMBIER
WESTERN Border football action kicks off across the region tomorrow, with no game as anticipated as the A Grade grand final rematch between South Gambier and Millicent.
The Saints host the clash at McLaughlin Park and the reigning premiers will be eager to start their season on the front foot.
However, there will be little between the teams again this year and both have solid pre-seasons behind them.
South’s list will remain relatively unchanged and with the inclusions of Josh Woodall, Hamish Stevens and James Paprotny, the Demons have more experience to call on than last year.
Oscar Adams is an out due to his AFL recruitment, but with the likes of Todd Reid and junior Noah Sims – to name a couple – the club is well equipped with youthful talent.
For Millicent the loss of powerhouse forward Gene Robinson will sting, but the Saints have also welcomed some familiar faces back to the club.
Tom Hutchesson is an exciting inclusion and will be sure to make an immediate impact through the middle of the ground.
The likes of Dylan Bromley and Sam Waring are also solid recruits.
Clint Gallio returns to the helm and will be another influential presence around the ground, while youngsters Kade Varcoe, Josh Werchon and Frazer Bradley are all expected to reach new heights this year.
The grand final went the way of the Saints by 35 points but it could be anyone’s game tomorrow.
It all shapes up to be a thrilling contest and will provide an idea of how the top two teams shape up in 2022.
EAST GAMBIER v NORTH GAMBIER
THE last time East Gambier and North Gambier met in the senior Western Border football competition was in last year’s elimination final.
The Tigers emerged victorious in that bout and will enter tomorrow’s round one clash as favourites again.
North retains the bulk of their 2021 playing list and add a couple of handy recruits to the roster.
Brad Stafford is the only loss of note, while the incoming Cameron Ortlepp and Toby McAllister bring Adelaide experience to the playing group.
New coach Ben Hardy also brings knowledge from the Adelaide Football League and has promised a new brand of game from the Tigers in 2022.
It sounds like North will push for some big scores this season as it focuses on an offensive style of football, which could catch the Bulldogs on the back foot if they are not careful.
East has suffered some big losses over the Summer, with Matt Willson, Jake Harrap, Todd Lockwood, Beau Nunan and Brad Rathjen taking their talents elsewhere.
The club is not without its recruits and welcomes Carl Slape, Garrett Ha, Matt Bennett and Frazer Scanlon to the list.
However, Scanlon is not expected for a few weeks and even then it will be a tough ask as the Bulldogs focus on culture building in 2022.
Matt Scanlon takes to the helm as coach and hopes to steer the club’s success by focusing on its off-field presence.
As such it may take some time for East to find its groove this year as it looks to develop its junior ranks, with North expected to take the points for round one.
WEST GAMBIER v CASTERTON SANDFORD
IT will be an intriguing round-one match-up at Malseed Park tomorrow when West Gambier hosts Casterton Sandford in the Western Border Football League season opener.
The teams filled fifth and sixth on the ladder in 2021, but some player movement in both directions will result in slightly different line-ups this year.
West has lost some handy personnel with Steve Wenman, Tom Holmes, Todd Lewis and Garrett Ha all out.
However, with a few new and returning faces, including incoming coach Daron McElroy, the Roos are not without their silver lining.
Lewis Lean returns to the club, while Mount Burr’s Taylor Redden and Port MacDonnell’s Tre Davis join the roster to bring further experience from the Mid South East Football League.
Across the border Casterton Sandford has recruited well and coach Kane Forbes has been busy in preparing the Cats for the season ahead.
The Cats welcome the return of Billy Galpin from Kalangadoo.
He will be joined by new recruits Edmund Pritchard, Jack Thompson and Cody Ireland, to name a few.
The last meeting between the two sides yielded a 98-point win to the Roos and they will chase another solid result tomorrow.
However, the Cats should field more depth this year and will be out to prevent a blown-out scoreboard.
