James Murphy
WEST GAMBIER v SOUTH GAMBIER
IT has not been the ideal start to the 2023 Western Border football season for last year’s minor premiers.
South Gambier sits 0-3 heading into a Round 4 meeting with West Gambier, which is already one extra loss than its entire 2022 minor round competition.
The Demons have lost a few key players and have somewhat reverted back to their youth reliance of a few years ago.
That is not to say they are lacking talent, as the club has no shortage of rising stars with their fair share of A Grade experience.
Nelson Forbes continues to make waves in his second senior season and has become a focal point up forward.
Likewise, Mitchell Sims has also been in impressive form and was a key out last week against Casterton Sandford.
South will hope to have him back on deck this week, while it was the more experienced head of Taylor Saffin which impressed last round.
His defensive efforts are first class, while Forbes also had a strong outing against the Cats.
Riley Sturges put in a commendable performance in the top grade, after a couple of standout efforts in Reserves to open the season and will jump at the chance of more A Grade appearances.
There is plenty to like about South’s roster and on paper it is a solid line-up, but it will once again be put to the test on Saturday, this time against the undefeated Roos.
West has hit the ground running this year and is only getting better as its talented new recruits continue to gel within the group.
Led by Daron McElroy, who enters the round off a nine-goal performance, there is a wealth of talent across the ground.
Lawry Bradley-Brown has been his usual on-ball machine and does a truckload of work through the midfield, while Kyle Giddings has been impressive also.
New recruits Andrew Stone and Braiden Ousey have shown their worth, as has Brandon Newton, with all three featuring highly among the best in the opening rounds.
Down back Jesse Pfitzner remains a dangerous one-on-one opponent while the diversity in the ruck – which has McElroy and Ousey take the brunt of the workload – has kept oppositions flustered in the centre.
It is difficult to wager against the Roos in their current state and it is likely they will maintain their red-hot form against the Demons.
