James Murphy
MCLAUGHLIN Park will host a spectacle under lights this Saturday night when Millicent hosts North Gambier in Round 4 of Western Border football.
It will be the first night game for the season and should be a competitive match-up as both teams have shown good form in the early stages of the year.
The Saints ride the high of a win over West Gambier last week, but will be eager to dial in their sights in front of goal after they finished with 27 behinds in the breezy match against the Roos.
North comes off a disappointing Anzac Day loss to South Gambier on Monday and will want to redeem itself this week.
The Tigers put in a solid opening half and appeared on top of the Demons, but were out-gunned after the long break to fall short by 11 points.
They will need to capitalise on every opportunity when they go up against the reigning premiers on their home deck.
Both teams have no shortage of firepower and show diversity in the forward line.
For the Saints Dylan Bromley has made an impact in the forward 50 the last couple of weeks, while has also shown he is reliable in the back line.
Youngster Josh Werchon carries hot form into the match, as does Eli Redman, who was Millicent’s best last week.
Dylan Tincknell is ever reliable in the backline and will no doubt have the job of shutting down one of North’s powerhouse forwards.
The Tigers boast the likes of Sam Stafford and Justin McConnell up front, while Nicholas Moretti and Jake Schutz have also made an impact on the scoreboard in the opening rounds.
Stafford was best-on-ground for North on Monday and scored a team-high three goals, while Dale Bachman, Schutz and Hamish Telford were also in fine form.
Nick McInerney is always dangerous through the midfield, while down back the Tigers rely on the experience of the likes of Tim McInerney and Sam Egan, who have both been solid early in the season
The match looms as a close contest whichever way you look at it and the result will likely determine which team will slot into second spot on the ladder under South.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 5pm.
