James Murphy
MILLICENT v EAST GAMBIER
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, their trip to face Millicent at McLaughlin Park this weekend will be the easiest pick for tipsters heading into Round 3 of Limestone Coast football.
East Gambier has yet to put a win on the board after two rounds and although there were strong signs shown against Casterton Sandford last week, matching it with the Saints is a completely different ball game.
Millicent has started the 2024 season in trademark fashion, blitzing the Cats in Round 1 before backing it up with a strong win over West Gambier.
Despite its youth, the roster is overflowing with talent and many of its juniors are dual premiership players in the top grade.
The last two weeks only two players have been aged over 23 in the Saints’ line-up which will create some interesting match-ups against the Bulldogs, who are also a young side.
However, experience levels differ greatly across the two teams and East is still in the midst of a rebuild.
That is not to say it will not be competitive and even last year within the Western Border Football League, East showed positive signs against the top teams.
Riley Flamank had a strong day in front of goals last round with four majors against the Cats, while Matthew Ferguson was also prominent with three goals.
It was the services of young-gun Shaun Lock which had him earn the best-on-ground honours, while the likes of Reece Lillecrapp and ruckman Jaise Coleman also impressed.
They will need to be at their best again, especially for the latter who will likely meet the in-form Finn Grimes in the ruck.
Grimes was Millicent’s best player against the Roos last round and he had a faultless game according to coach Tom Renzi.
Frazer Bradley has wasted no time making his presence known in the Saints’ forward line this season.
The star has kicked nine goals across the first two rounds and will be looking to raise those figures even more on the weekend.
Sam Willis joined in the fun on Saturday with four of his own, while Jacob Carger and Kobe Gibson have had their share of action in front of goals in Round 1.
Coming through the middle Harry Tunkin comes off a strong performance, while the likes of Zac McGuinness and Kalan Shanks have been rock solid in the backline.
It is difficult to mount a case for East heading into the clash, but it will be a good learning experience for some of the younger faces in the roster.
