Casterton-Sandford and East Gambier will do battle at Vansittart Park on Saturday, with a trip to the Grand Final to face South Gambier on the line.

The Cats and Dogs have had some tough battles this season, with their last two contests being decided by a combined nine points.

So do not expect a blowout, folks.

The Cats are coming into this off the back of two straight losses, both to South, so Cal Currie’s side is in a position it has not been in before this year.

In poor form.

Now, both those losses were by less than three goals, so they took it right up to the Demons, and had the ball bounce differently; maybe they are in the Grand Final.

Look for key forward Hamish McCrae (five goals in last two games vs. East), Currie (four goals in last two games against East), Diarmid Cleary, Jedd Rhook, Daniel Richardson, Sean Willmott, and Ben Guthrie to be the driving forces for the Cats.

They have shown they can beat the best in football, and now it all comes down to the next four quarters of football to book their spot in the Grand Final.

Now onto Matt Willson’s Bulldogs.

They are in superb form, as a six-game winning streak will have these plucky Bulldogs in a confident mood, and that makes them a dangerous proposition.

Having dished out the physicality against West Gambier in the Elimination Final, Wilson knows the Bulldogs will have to do it again, as the Cats are a different beast compared to the Roos.

Key forward Koby Cockshell, who has kicked eight goals in three games against the Cats, and small forward Beau Nunan, fresh off six goals against West, will be tasked with leading the charge for East.

Mark Rumbelow could be matched up with McCrae in a battle that could decide the game, while veteran Jayden Eldridge could be a nice matchup for Dylan Ayton or Currie.

The ruck contest with Sam Lock and Alastair McCrae is fascinating.

Both are essentially midfielders for their respective teams, and at every chance, shoot forward to be an option. Who gives their midfield first use at stoppage, while also making the most of any forays forward, could be a big factor in the outcome of this game.

The Bulldogs have winners on every line, but so do the Cats.

Do not expect this to be a high-scoring contest, as in the last two games, no side has scored more than nine goals, so taking your chances will be crucial.

Whoever does that will book a date with the Demons.

RESERVES

\ North Gambier will have the privilege of playing a preliminary final on home turf at Vansittart Park against East Gambier.

The crosstown rivals will fight it out for the right to take on South Gambier in the Limestone Coast Football League Reserves finals.

Little has split the Tigers and Bulldogs all year with both teams taking a win each and neither result being decided by more than two goals.

North managed to sneak one game clear of East in the fight for second in the ladder, which sets the scene for a fascinating battle for the decider.

The Tigers are led by veteran superstar Justin McConnell, who has kicked 79 goals in just 14 games.

North fought hard but just fell short to South in a gritty Qualifying Final.

The Bulldogs have many steady contributors across the board with Reece Lillecrapp, Connor Barry and Grady Janeway ones to watch.

Under 17

After losing to East Gambier in the dying seconds of a thrilling Qualifying Final, South Gambier face the tricky proposition of setting up a rematch by negotiating Millicent in the Prelim.

The Saints are a dangerous team with a high ceiling, particularly when armed with their Glenelg stars.

The previous match ups tell contrasting stories with both Millicent and South enjoying a commanding win each.

Captain Lenny Tunkin guided Millicent to a big Elimination Final win, while Oliver McCracken and Jobe Harten will lead the Demons.

Under 14

It is a big day for East Gambier with both red and black sides fighting to stay alive in the Preliminary Final.

The Black side coached by Nick Anderson with tall figure Taj White as the spearhead kick things off with the early game against Casterton Sandford.

After a disappointing result against South, East Black will be confident against a Casterton Sandford side they have easily accounted for in both previous matches.

However, the Cats should not be underestimated after overcoming West in a knockout thriller.

East Red will face off with North Yellow in the following Under 14’s battle on Sunday morning.

A classic game could be in store as they previously played in Round 14 with the Bulldogs sneaking three points clear after a late charge from the Tigers.

Chase Buckingham and Jacob Cox loom as keys for East and North respectively.

The post Cats and Dogs do battle with Grand Final spot on the line first appeared on The SE Voice.

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