James Murphy
THERE will be a cat fight at Vansittart Park tomorrow when North Gambier hosts Casterton Sandford in Round 5 of Western Border football.
The Tigers will enter the clash with claws bared after a disappointing loss to reigning premier Millicent last week.
They will search for a four-quarter performance at home this round and should enter the match as favourites.
However, the Cats also have a point to prove, having succumbed to South Gambier on the weekend.
North has struggled to put the finishing touch on games so far this season, with its matches against West Gambier, South and Millicent all there to be won.
That is something coach Ben Hardy will be wanting to iron out of the side as soon as possible and tomorrow’s clash could be the perfect opportunity.
Hamish Telford and Nick McInerney have shown dangerous form through the midfield in the opening rounds and will take Casterton Sandford’s best efforts to keep quiet.
Their intensity and ability to deliver the ball forward to the likes of Sam Stafford and Justin McConnell is second-to-none.
Stafford has also been in solid form, while Tim McInerney stood tall in defence against the Saints last week despite the loss.
Youngster Joel Griffith is having a good start to his season and has shown strong signs down back, with the capanility to move forward and hit the scoreboard.
For the Cats Billy Galpin has proven a vital link through the middle and his leadership has been just as crucial.
Diarmid Cleary can always be relied upon to put in 100pc, while Jack Thompson comes off a best-on-ground performance which had him up against the likes of South powerhouse forward Brayden Kain.
In a game which could go either way, the home-ground advantage should give the Tigers the edge they need to post their second win of the year.
