James Murphy
CASTERTON SANDFORD v EAST GAMBIER
THE age-old battle between dogs and cats will take place at Island Park tomorrow, when Casterton Sandford hosts East Gambier for the final minor round of Western Border football.
It looks likely it will be the last game either team plays this season.
The Bulldogs sit bottom with one win, while the hosts would require a big win and for North Gambier to lose by a considerable margin to stand any chance of slipping back into the four.
However, the Tigers should maintain their percentage advantage regardless of the outcome, which leaves not much to play for this week.
East Gambier has shown glimpses of greatness throughout the season and will be buoyed by a solid outing against reigning premier Millicent last week.
If they can string four quarters together the Bulldogs may well finish the year on a high.
For the Cats, a disappointing loss to North last round has shattered their finals chances and they will be eager to bounce back in front of a home crowd.
With the potential of this being the last season Casterton Sandford plays in the Western Border competition, a win would be a fitting result.
They will look to the likes of Matt Killey, Diarmid Cleary and Hamish McCrae, who all carry solid form into the clash.
Billy Galpin played through a hand injury last round, so he remains with a question mark over his head.
Galpin has been a standout this season and proved a game-changer in the last meeting with the Bulldogs.
That match went down to the wire, with scores level at three-quarter time and several lead changes in the race to the final siren.
However, it was Casterton Sandford which emerged the victors, with Cleary named best on ground.
The Bulldogs were best served by young-gun Shaun Lock on the day and he carries red-hot form into the match.
The youngster has been a regular among East’s best, while co-coach Jayden Eldridge will be another to keep a close eye on.
Carl Slape will look to gain the ascendancy in the ruck, while up front the likes of co-coach Matt Scanlon, Mark Rumbelow and Garret Ha are the main targets.
Scanlon will be out for a big game as he celebrates his 150th senior match for the Bulldogs.
Lock has also proven capable in front of goals, with his runs out of the middle tearing up opposition defences.
Like the other Round 16 fixtures, this game will have no impact on the ladder and both teams will look for a solid hit-out to end their season.
