AGRADE – WEST GAMBIER V
NORTH GAMBIER
There will not be a spare seat around court 1 at Malseed Park when host club West Gambier takes on North Gambier in the A Grade second semi final.
Every match up is critical and the two teams have no obvious weaknesses and will be desperate to win straight through to the grand final and not risk a match up with an improving Millicent, who know how to get things done at this time of the season.
Stella Mobbs last took on Sarah Ritter in a final in last season’s preliminary final and it was an epic battle as two of the competition’s most promising stars went head-to-head.
Mobbs was able to win some critical ball but Ritter, of course, still had a scoreboard impact.
Mobbs will need her teammates to pressure the feeds if she is to deny Ritter too many scoring opportunities.
Mel Renko looms as the match up for Lisa McGregor in what could well be one of the match defining contests, given McGregor’s key role in transition and her connection with Ritter on the feed.
Renko is perfect for the job with her willingness to blanket an opponent, while Lauran Norman and Ava Collins could also take the role.
Renko, Collins and Norman will need to place a lot of pressure across the defensive transverse line so Jess Holmes and Tara Bryant do not have free rein because if they are in space and allowed to play with speed, West will keep the scoreboard ticking over at an alarming rate.
Of course, West will also be looking to slow the speed of ball generated through Brianna Walters and Kaitlin Egan and their connection with Kelly Lockwood and Macey Griffith, with the Tigers using quick ball movement and angles to open up scoring opportunities.
Of course, Amy Cram and Mikaela Horrigan, will certainly make the Tigers earn every one of those opportunities, with both strong on the ground and in the air, while Chelsea Tremelling is a real disruptor, getting some important touches and also driving the ball out of the defensive end with great speed.
This looms as a goal-for-goal battle with West having won two of the three contests this season, although North won the most recent, and it will be the Roos narrowly, leaving the Tigers to take on the Saints.
A RESERVE – NORTH GAMBIER V MILLICENT
Not much has separated North Gambier and Millicent in the A reserve competition and this second semi final looms as a nailbiter.
North won the first clash between the two by two goals, Millicent had a nine goal win in round 10, while in round 15 it was the Tigers winning by six.
The Tigers have lost long serving shooter Alisha Bryan and you cannot buy the ig game experience the star shooter possesses but young gun Lila Pearson has stepped up to team with Alycia Pitson, who is a no-fuss operator, with Mikaila Pitt also capable of taking a shooting role when she is not dominating the attacking wing.
Young guns Maggie Collins and Cara Nulty bring quality to the Tigers’ mid court, while Amanda O’Shaughnessy always brings her A game to finals.
Defensively, it is all about athleticism and an ability to win the ball back with Ruby Mitchell and Nat Fox, while Grace Potts uses her height to great effect with her work over the shot and her rebounding capabilities.
The Millicent line-up does have experience with Jackie Sunderland, Alice Pratt, Alana Craig and Georgia Clarke – all having an impact in the mid court and defence, while the rest of the team are young players on the rise.
Piper Paul adds speed and class to the mid court, while Poppy Venn and Mylee Lynch can play in the shooting circle and mid court, again adding speed and quality ball use, while Abby Denton brings leadership and long-range accuracy to the table.
This is one of the toughest finals to call with both teams also having some training partners on the bench to inject if required, but it will be the Saints in one of the closest scorelines of the day.
B GRADE – MILLICENT V SOUTH GAMBIER
It is hard to draw too many conclusions from the clashes between B Grade rivals Millicent and South Gambier this season as player unavailability and injuries has plagued the top two sides.
Millicent won the round 3 clash emphatically by 16, South bounced back in round 8 with a 22 goal victory and then the round 13 clash, which is probably the best representation of where the two sides sit, was a seven goal win for Millicent.
Krystal Coghlan looms large with the versatile Saint able to take on any role and she is always influential, wherever she plays.
Tiarna Verbena is a speedy and smart mid courter, while speaking of smart, Bek Millowick is an experienced campaigner who holds strongly and finishes accurately, with Nicole Domaschenz using her height to great effect, mainly in the shooting circle but also as a defender.
Michelle Fleming anchors the defensive end for the Saints, while Nicola Batten is another key link in the mid court and Kaylah O’Loughlin is another tall player who uses her reach to great effect.
South has a strong shooting combination with Kim Saffin and Mel Harvey, while the Demons mid court of Hannah Witherow, Milla Walmsley, Ella Jolley and Ruby Milich has plenty of speed and players who are safe with ball in hand, while defensively Chelsea Dunn and Kim McIntyre-Clarke are as tough a defensive combination as is going around.
This will be a tight battle with neither side really wanting to risk a preliminary final against a strong North Gambier line-up but Millicent will make it three from four against the Demons this season.
C GRADE – SOUTH GAMBIER V NORTH GAMBIER
Undefeated South Gambier is taking on North Gambier in the C Grade second semi final, adding another chapter to a rivalry that sees the gap closing in 2024.
The Demons won the first clash of the season by 29, secured a 17 goal margin the next time they met and in round 12 it was only a 10 goal buffer.
North has the likes of Sarah Brown, Kirily Krammins and Keeley Quinn in the mid court who are hard workers and rarely make an error with ball in hand, while defensively Deb Edwards, Kahlia Egan, Tara Fleming and Bec Johnson will certainly place plenty of pressure on the South frontline.
Milly Allen is a tall shooter who is strong on the hold and happy to take long range shots and she is complemented by Jess Dempster, who also happily takes the long-range attempts and connects well with Allen.
The Demons have lost star keeper Kaitlyn Tucker to injury so much will rest on Krystie Reid, who has been so critical to this line-up with her tight checking style and ability to conjure deflections and interceptions at will.
The mid court has plenty of experience with Misty Dalton and Kaitlyn Horrigan, while Jade Jennings is a specialist wing defender who wins the ball back, often when she has no right.
The shooting circle is all class with Sam Raedel, Ella Egan and Brooke Winterfield, with Egan and Winterfield also spending time on the attacking wing.
The Demons will miss Tucker but have junior talent to fill the void and should still win their way through to the title decider.
17 & UNDER – NORTH GAMBIER V MILLICENT
There is no doubt there is plenty of talent in the Millicent 17 & Under line-up but it still going to be a tough ask for the Saints to inflict North Gambier’s first loss of the 2024 season in this weekend’s second semi final.
The Tigers have not put a foot wrong in 2024, making the most of their versatility and depth to demolish every team in the competition.
A Grade stars Macey Griffith, Ava Collins and Stella Mobbs are the big names – Griffith controlling the attack line and finishing accurately and Collins and Mobbs applying the defensive pressure but also able to head to the shooting circle.
But that’s not where the talent ends, with Maggie Collins bringing her smarts, speed and creativity with ball in hand to the mid court and Cara Nulty bringing similar qualities, as well as an ability to play a shooting role.
Both ends of the court are also shored up by Kelsie Anderson’s ability to be a swing player, while Ruby Mitchell is an athletic defender who can always be relied upon to create turnover ball and Elodie Adam is an accurate long-range shooter.
Tora Jones and Isabella Stafford are depth players for the mid court.
The Saints have a strong mid court of their own with Piper Paul leading the charge with Mia Gysbers, while the defensive end has the tight checking Mackinlee Alcock to anchor its efforts, with the shooting combination of Mylee Lynch and Poppy Venn using quick moves and speed on the ball to open up their scoring opportunities.
Edie Easterby looms large with her ability to play any position and her uncanny ability to win the ball back, while Emily Walker brings depth to the mid court and shooting circle and Eva Crowe is a tight one on one defender who can take a role in the defensive circle or mid court.
The height of the Tigers looms large for the Millicent side and it will take quick and smart ball movement for Millicent to challenge.
North should advance comfortably and leave Millicent to take on South in the preliminary final.
15 & UNDER A – MILLICENT V NORTH GAMBIER
Millicent enters the 15 & Under A second semi final undefeated and having beaten North Gambier less than a month ago by 22 goals.
That being said, in round 10 the margin was only three goals, and both sides have plenty of talent.
One of the key match ups will be state teammates Mischa Human (North) and Emily Denton (Millicent) – Human so strong at the post and accurate on the finish and Denton an athletic defender who is strong in the air.
The Saints defensive line also has the quality of Jeda Hibberd, who is a tenacious, one on one defender and Asha Gysbers, who brings the flair and ability to win the ball back.
At the other end of the court, Kalani Dunn is the focal point with her ability to hold strongly or get on the move, while the speed of Tahnee Grosser out the front is critical and the Saints goal attack is an accurate finisher.
Lucy Crowe has speed to burn in the mid court, while Sebella Coghlan is a star who is strong on the drive and is an impressive defensive player through the mid court.
Laine Rainsford is the X factor for the Saints, with her ability to play in any area on the court and get the job done.
For North, Human is well supported by 2024 recruit Lila Pearson and the height in the Tigers circle does present a challenge with both being accurate finishers and Pearson, in particular, is happy to take the long shot.
The defensive end sees Raine Darimaani and Mia Griffith teaming up, while the mid court is all about speed with Winnie Zadow and Jenna Baron, with Lacey Hunter bringing her court smarts and willingness to work hard both offensively and defensively, as well as giving another shooting option if required.
The loss of Georgia Nulty early in the season to a knee injury has made things tougher for the Tigers and it is hard not to see how Millicent advances to book a spot in the 2024 grand final.
15 & UNDER B – MILLICENT V NORTH GAMBIER
Millicent has dominated the 15 & Under B grade and should advance to the 2024 grand final with a second semi final victory over North Gambier this weekend.
Amarlie Thomson and Lindy Van Eeden are a strong shooting combination, Olive Thorne, Indi Coghlan and Scarlett Zalme are a tenacious, hard running mid court and their ball movement is a key to the Saints success and the defensive line has Lola Ferguson, Audrey Galambos and Meeka Hales who are all so good at creating turnover ball.
It is a tough ask for the Tigers, despite the talent at their disposal, with all three games this year going comfortably the way of the Saints.
Lacey Hunter looms large for North for her ability to dominate in goals or the mid court, while Ava Halloran is an athletic defender who will be critical in Saturday’s final, while Lacey Allen and Grace Collins are consistent, hardworking performers, while Carey Grivell is a strong shooting option who is an accurate finisher.
Jenna Baron can be injected into the mid court, while Tayah Jones also adds to the North line up’s depth, while Amelie Adam is a tenacious defender who anchors that end of the court with her strong work in the air, pressure over the shot and rebounding prowess.
The Tigers will not die wondering but Millicent just has too much depth, versatility and talent to let this one slip.
13 & UNDER A – MILLICENT V SOUTH GAMBIER
South Gambier is yet to beat Millicent this season but the two sides have had some good battles and the second semi final this weekend looms as no different.
Millicent won comfortably in round 4 but the next two clashes saw around a 10 goal margin and the Demons would be hoping they have found a way to close that gap since they last met in round 14.
Harper Bowering, Elsie Merchant and Zara Cole give coach Ally Bowering strong shooting options, with those players also able to head into the mid court and have an impact, where Tegan Sims and Ellie McCracken drive hard through the centre third and hit the circle hard.
At the defensive end, Annalie Peucker and Lucy Noonan, who also can have an impact in the mid court, are a tough pairing, with Zara Harten bringing versatility to the line-up with her ability to play in every area, while Addy Green, who is recently back from serious injury, is a hard working mid courter.
And the Demons will need to be at their best to combat the talent-laden Saints.
Millicent has Indi Coghlan taking care of the shooting end, Lacey Sunderland using her pace to great effect in the mid court and smart, athletic defender Lola Ferguson in control of the defensive end.
Around those players is plenty of quality with Bridie Madden bringing long range accuracy to the shooting circle and Lottie Matthews using her creative feeding and court smarts to great effect.
Prudence Johnson is one of coach Jackie Sunderland’s most important assets with her ability to play in all three areas and her ability to win back the ball will be critical in the final wash up.
South will no doubt challenge strongly but Millicent should book the first 13 & Under A grand final spot in 2024.
13 & UNDER B – SOUTH GAMBIER V WEST GAMBIER
South Gambier and West Gambier have had three great battles in season 2024, suggesting the 13 & Under B second semi final will be an epic battle.
West won the round 3 clash by six, South bounced back to take the round 8 clash by two and then in round 13 it was the Demons by 16.
West’s shooting combination of Frankie Davey and Phoebe Bonney-Dawson is a strong pairing with Bonney-Dawson’s swift moves and accurate finishing complementing Davey’s strength on the hold.
Eliza Parham is another accurate finishing option for the Roos in the circle and if she is not in a shooting role, she can dominate the mid court.
At the other end of the court, Aggie Thomas anchors the defensive end, working hard over the shot and rebounding strongly, while Molly Thomas is a tight, one on one defender.
The mid court has plenty of talent with Mackenna Povey, Isla Stuckey, Ayla Stubbings and Kelsey McKinnon.
South has Courtney Sims and Lacey Howard in good form in the shooting circle, while at the other end of the court Willow Bowering, Ellie Scotland and Lara Agostinelli will be charged with the task of denying the Roos easy ball.
Myla Raedel is the quiet achiever of the South mid court, while Zara Harten and Ellie McCracken bring the added experience and versatility to the line-up.
This looms as one of the tightest contests of the day with South getting the job done and booking a grand final berth.
