James Murphy
NORTH GAMBIER v WEST GAMBIER
THE Limestone Coast Football Netball League enters its second round of games this weekend with rematches of the Round 1 contests.
The most anticipated of those will be played at Vansittart Park when North Gambier hosts West Gambier for Round 6.
Last time the sides met the Roos claimed a close three-point win on their home deck.
They will have their sights set on a more comfortable margin this round, but the Tigers are not a foe to be taken lightly.
North pushed Millicent to the final siren last week and would be disappointed to have gone down by a point after leading at the final change.
Everything points towards another thrilling contest this Saturday, with both teams capable of taking the points.
West has some lingering injuries which could affect the outcome, but for the most part both squads have been in impressive form.
In recent outings the Roos have relied on two strong quarters to set them up for victory, but will need a four-quarter performance this week.
For the Tigers they will be eager to get the monkey off their back of taking down a team ranked higher than them.
Last time they did that was in the 2024 Western Border preliminary final, coincidentally against West.
The likes of Josh Jenner and ruckman Mitchell Kelton carry form from the weekend into the clash, while the Tigers have looked to several targets in the forward line.
Toby de Wit and Reece McLaughlin stood tall up front against the Saints, with the absence of star forward Sam Stafford causing some player shuffling which had the likes of co-coach Jordan Hollitt pushed up the ground from his usual defensive position.
Tyler Harris and Aaron Dally are two young guns who have had their share of the spotlight, while the entire list has gelled well of late.
They will match up well against West again, with the Roos full of talent across the ground.
New recruit Sam Casey was the man of the match last round, while the likes of Lawry Bradley-Brown, Mark Smith and Jesse Pfitzner also carry form into the weekend.
Playing coach Daron McElroy leads his troops by example and will need to have them at their best if they are to topple the Tigers.
