James Murphy
EAST GAMBIER v NORTH GAMBIER
THERE will be plenty to prove from both ends when North Gambier visits the “Kennel” for a Round 4 meeting with East Gambier.
The Bulldogs will be hungry for a taste of success at home and they enter the round without a win in 2023.
Meanwhile the Tigers come off two losses and will be presented with a chance to bounce back in a big way.
They find themselves in the middle of the pack after three rounds, with an Anzac Day win over South Gambier followed by losses to undefeated sides West Gambier and Millicent.
They will enter this clash as the favourite and have shown signs of greatness throughout the opening round matches.
A renewed focus on defence served North well in the first round and it produced strong patches of play in the following outings, but did not quite get over the line against tougher opponents.
Jake Schutz and Sam Egan were solid down back last week, while Bradley Adams comes off a best-on-ground performance against the Saints.
Sam Stafford has been relied on heavily again in the forward line, but was joined by youngster Jonty Collins on the scoreboard last round.
Toby de Wit and Dale Bachmann are a couple of strong markers up forward as well and they will also need to be kept in line if the Bulldogs are to prevent a blowout.
East will ironically enter the match as the underdog, a title they will likely carry throughout the season.
The club continues to rebuild its senior ranks in 2023, with plenty of young talent being blooded in the top grade.
The likes of Shaun Lock, Jack Lawrence and Sam Lock have a couple of solid season under their belts now and continue to impress.
Reece Lillecrapp has made an immediate impact this season upon returning to his home club after a few years in the Adelaide Football League and Jesse Plunkett also has a couple of solid outings behind him heading into the round.
Defender Nick Lock and ruckman Carl Slape are consistent contributors and will be looked to again to guide their younger teammates.
The Bulldogs will try to capitalise while the Tigers are wounded by consecutive losses, but North should have the experience and strength to deliver its hosts another defeat.
