Trevor Jackson
SOUTH GAMBIER V EAST GAMBIER
SOUTH Gambier and East Gambier clash in Round 5 of Western Border football on Saturday, with one side set to chalk up its first win of the season.
It is a far cry from the Demons of 2022, who finished runners-up to Millicent in the title decider.
South now sits on the bottom rung of the ladder, with the Bulldogs just one spot further up.
The Demons began their season campaign with a loss to North Gambier on Anzac Day and it has been all downhill from there.
The Round 4 clash against West Gambier showed the Demons’ short-comings, with a final 102-22 scoreline favouring the Roos.
South has pegged its season hopes on many youngsters, as has been the case in previous years, but this season a lack of experienced heads leaves plenty of work still to do.
East’s record looks little better, although a solid effort last round against North suggests there is some improvement in the also-young Bulldogs.
The Tigers won last week’s game, but by just 29 points.
It may sound like a comfortable margin, but considering the changes at the Kennel this season, it shows the younger players are having a real go.
It makes this clash even more interesting, with South known to play the large spaces at Blue Lake Sports Park well.
Mark Rumbelow, Shaun Lock and Carl Slape have been the biggest contributors for the Bulldogs in front of goals this season and if they can find space and delivery is up to scratch, they should upset the Demons and remain in front on the ladder.
