James Murphy
EAST GAMBIER v CASTERTON SANDFORD
CATS and Dogs will meet again for Round 7 of Western Border football and the stage is set for a good contest.
East Gambier might not have a win on the board, but the side has shown some positive signs.
The young Bulldogs will also have a point to prove after last week’s result against ladder leader Millicent.
A 128-point deficit would have been disappointing especially after a four-goal opening term, but this week presents a chance to bounce back.
Casterton Sandford sits in fourth place with just two wins this campaign – against South Gambier and East.
East will look to improve on its 29-point loss to the Cats in Round 2 and will enjoy the comforts of home on this occasion.
The team has relied heavily on its youth again this season, but veteran Frazer Scanlon stepped up with a best-on-ground performance last week.
He and the likes of Nick Lock, John Forster and Mark Rumbelow will look to lead the side to success this round, with all three also holding form.
Young-gun Shaun Lock is a regular performer, while Reece Lillecrapp has been another highlight this year.
In the ruck Carl Slape’s absence was covered by Jake Dowdy last week.
Whoever takes on the role this week will likely be faced with the in-form Hamish McCrae, who has been having another impressive season with the Cats.
He excels in the ruck and rotates forward to also be his side’s leading goalkicker with 18 for the season.
The Cats also come off a tough loss against the other frontrunner of the competition in West Gambier.
Diarmid Cleary and gun recruit Michael Krieger were best for the match, while McCrae led the scoring in another solid performance.
With both teams wanting to bounce back in a big way a tough encounter can be expected, but the hosts will still enter the match as the underdogs.