James Murphy
South Gambier v East Gambier
IT will not be an easy round for East Gambier when it visits league-leader South Gambier for Round 12 of Western Border football.
The Bulldogs have tasted limited success this season and enter the clash with the Demons off a disheartening loss to North.
On the other hand South triumphed in impressive fashion over second-placed Millicent last round.
The Demons have welcomed back injured personnel in recent weeks and appear stronger than ever with a wealth of depth at their disposal.
That is something the Bulldogs have struggled with this year and the reliance on inexperienced youth has turned 2022 into a rebuilding phase.
While there have been positive patches, a consistent four-quarter performance has yet to come for the side.
They will do their best, with the likes of co-coach Jayden Eldridge – who celebrated his 200th senior game for the Bulldogs last week – in impressive form.
Shaun Lock also comes off a strong display despite the loss to the Tigers.
He led the way with a couple of goals last week, but the likes of Garret Ha and co-coach Matthew Scanlon will need to step up inside 50 if East is to keep up with the high-scoring Demons.
South has breached the 100-point mark in its last two outings – and five times for the season – which is something East is yet to achieve.
Coach Brayden Kain has been prolific in front of the big sticks and has booted 45 goals in 2022.
Of those 16 came in the last two rounds, while Brodie Foster and youngster Colby Munro also scored well last week.
Nick Lock will have the job of keeping Kain quiet, but with so many avenues to goal coming through the midfield it will be a tough day at the office for the Bulldogs’ defence.
