NORTH GAMBIER V WEST GAMBIER
Easily the match of the round, North Gambier is hosting West Gambier, with the Tigers arguably the ones that really need the win so that if they face the Roos in the finals, they have that belief they can upset the reigning champs.
Every match up is critical and both teams know the work has to be done in the mid court to stop the respective shooters – West’s Sarah Ritter and North’s Grace Potts – from scoring a prolific amount of goals.
Mikaila Pitt will be matched on Ritter, while Jade Ritter will take on Potts but pressure on the incoming ball will be key – as talented as those two defenders are, they cannot stop their opponents on their own.
In the centre, Tara Bryant and Mel Renko looms as a key battle, while Zoe Malseed and Brianna Walters is just as key as the tight checking West wing defender looks to upset the always composed Walters, who is one of the most unassuming but damaging mid courters in the competition.
Mikaela Horrigan will be matched on Lauran Norman and that is another too close to call battle.
Both are tall and athletic and if Norman can deny Horrigan time and space that will go along way to helping the Tigers’ cause.
North goal attack Macey Griffith is another unassuming but uncompromising player and while she is a star on the rise, her opponent is a bonafide star, who just keeps getting better – Amy Cram.
Cram will use every trick in the book to unsettle her younger opponent, while also rolling back to help out Ritter with Potts.
At the other end, it is two wily competitors as West playmaker and former association best snf fairest Lisa McGregor goes toe to toe with Noni McConnell – the Tigers’ tight checking, relentless goal defender who knows just how important it is that she does not allow McGregor to play her usual role as puppet master for the West offensive play.
In the end, Sarah Ritter’s ability to not just challenge at the post with her height but her long range accuracy may well prove the difference.
MILLICENT V SOUTH GAMBIER
Millicent is building towards another finals campaign and while the Saints will not take the young South Gambier line-up lightly, they would be confident their relentless defensive pressure and slick offence will be enough to take care of the Demons.
South will welcome back Tully McShane and her battle with Daisy Tunkin will be intriguing as two young guns of the competition try to have a positive influence for their team.
Portia McRae is coming off a strong performance in Round 11 and the star defender will certainly hunt interceptions in the goal third if South is not careful with ball in hands and her tight checking will test young shooter Gracie Dalton, who has ore than held her own in her debut season in A Grade.
Of course, the number one priority is denying too much ball for Tabatha Sanderson, who is in career best form, and that means pressure out the front from McShane and Megan Reid on Tunkin and Lillie Paul, as well as plenty of responsibility on the shoulders of Ellie Bouchier, who will need to balance denying Demi Verbena too much time, space and possession, while also fading back to assist Sophie Wight.
Wight is gutsy and athletic with a good vertical leap but she will need pressure on the incoming ball to be any chance of creating turnovers.
At the other end of the court Ruby Richter faces the daunting challenge of Saints wing defender and spiritual leader Lisa Duldig and Richter will need to stay on the move, be patient with ball in hand and hit the circle as quickly as possible to create scoring opportunities for Dalton and the in form captain Alyssa Duncan.
South has been in their past two contests before fading badly in the last quarter and stand in coach Felicity Walker will no doubt be looking for a four quarter effort even if the scoreboard does not fall their way, while the Saints will be looking to show no mercy as they continue to work towards their quest for a return to premiership glory.
CASTERTON SANDFORD V EAST GAMBIER
Casterton Sandford had a strong opening quarter against West Gambier last round and getting off to a similarly strong start will be key if the Cats are to upset East Gambier.
The Bulldogs had a strong performance against Millicent in the previous round and despite not securing the win would be happy with how the season is building, especially given they have basically put a different combination out on court in every round.
For Casterton Sandford Madalene Cleary and Ivy Lane are starting to develop as a shooting combination but they will be up against it with Bo Creek and Morgan Amy one of the tightest checking and well drilled combinations in the competition.
At the other end, Ebany Jarrad and Caeleigh Humphries will be relieved not to be facing a tall shooter, but Renee Henke and Casey Horrigan add another challenge – a moving circle that uses quick ball movement to find good scoring position.
Tarsh McCallum looms large with the classy feeder always a danger with ball in hand so the likes of Madeline Patton, who has really grown as a player in 2023, and the retuning Chelsey Galpin, will need to make limiting the influence of the 2021 premiership captain if the Cats are to be in contention.
In reality East should return with the premiership points but the Cats are definitely improving with each outing and would be looking to further develop ahead of a round 13 clash with South Gambier.
