A GRADE – WEST GAMBIER V EAST GAMBIER
Top teams West and East Gambier will clash in a bid to book a spot in the 2022 Bendigo Bank Western Border Netball Association Grand Final.
The Roos have topped the Bulldogs on all three occasions this season, but the red and black have been building towards this finals series so it is not a fait accompli.
The start will be crucial with Bulldogs’ liking to set up wins with a frenetic start.
But get through that initial intensity and not allow East to translate that into scoreboard dominance and you are in the contest.
There are intriguing battles all over the court with Tara Bryant running with East co-coach Emily Hunter will be one of the match ups of the day which will go a long way to deciding the final outcome.
East goalkeeper Morgan Amy is coming off a best on court performance in the first semi-final and she will need to bring that level to curb the scoring machine of Sarah Ritter.
Jade Ritter also has a task, with East shooter Amryn Bosko coming off a dominant finals performance as well, so Ritter will need to check the star shooter closely.
Lisa McGregor is the architect for West in the attacking third and her match up with Bo Creek will be a match shaping one.
The other critical battle is key defender Amy Cram going one on one with East shooter Sarah Lock.
The Roos have shared premiership favouritism with Millicent all season and they will finally earn what has been an elusive grand final berth, ending East’s premiership defence at the final hurdle.
A RESERVE – EAST GAMBIER V WEST GAMBIER
East Gambier has had West Gambier covered in their three meetings this season but the one thing in the Roos’ favour is their momentum.
The West shooting combination of Claire Hunter and Jasmine Davey will take on the tough defensive combination of Chloe Perryman and Sharna McKinnon.
At the other end of the court East will turn to shooter Alysia Geraghty, long range specialist Renee Henke and the clever Casey Horrigan.
The Bulldogs would have been disappointed with their second semi final performance and hope to bounce back strongly and end West’s fairytale run.
B GRADE – MILLICENT V SOUTH GAMBIER
Millicent is coming off a tense one goal loss to North Gambier and now take on South Gambier for the right to challenge the Tigers in the grand final.
These three sides have been neck and neck all season, swapping wins and playing also a couple of draws.
The experienced goal shooters are the generals of each team – coach Jacqui Matthews for the Saints and Leyna Bruggemann for the Demons – and how much influence they have on the contest will go a long way to deciding the final result.
This game has overtime written all over it and in the end, it will be the team that limits the errors with South just getting over the line.
C GRADE – MILLICENT V SOUTH GAMBIER
East Gambier would be relieved to be sitting back and relaxing while Millicent and South Gambier battle it out for the last spot in the C Grade grand final.
It has been tight between all three of these teams in 2022 and this preliminary final looms as another one of those arm wrestles.
Claudia Pratt and Sapphire Sims are an impressive shooting combination who use movement and quick passing to unravel defensive combinations.
South has plenty of quality in its line up as well and it has taken most of the season but they have now settled on its strongest combination.
In their second season as a shooting pair Brooke Winterfield and Ella Egan move well and their shooting accuracy will be a key.
17 AND UNDER – MILLICENT V NORTH GAMBIER
Millicent is coming off a high quality second semi-final and it is hard to mount a case for North Gambier, given the quality and experience of the Saints line-up.
Predicted to be missing State goal shooter Annelise Janssen this weekend, Millicent still has an embarrassment of riches with Abby Denton all class in the shooting circle while A Grade goal keeper Portia McRae anchors the defense.
The Tigers rely on the defensive pressure of Haylee Brooks, Zarly Jones, Alice Tentye and Gianna Morello but the Saints should still advance.
15 AND UNDER A – NORTH GAMBIER V WEST GAMBIER
Form says North Gambier should take care of West Gambier in this preliminary final.
Elodie Adam is a smart moving, accurate goaler, while Macey Griffith is also an A Grade goal attack.
The Roos’ shooting combination is impressive with Lucy Simpson the star of the show and with support from Imogen McGregor.
However, it is hard to see how North does not advance.
15 AND UNDER B – MILLICENT V EAST GAMBIER
Millicent and East Gambier are set to face off in the 15 and Under B preliminary final.
It is hard to get a read on these two opponents given their three clashes this season saw two lop sided contests and a narrow one goal margin.
Millie Matthews is the general on court for the Saints from her usual role at wing attack, while the Bulldogs will be looking to goal shooter Sharni Clark.
This is one of the toughest results to call on preliminary final day with the Bulldogs just getting over the line in a tight one.
13 AND UNDER A – WEST GAMBIER V NORTH GAMBIER
North Gambier won the first clash this season but West Gambier has struck back since.
This sets the scene for an arm wrestle between tall teams.
Mischa Human was unstoppable for the Tigers in the knockout semi-final, while Lila Pearson hit some wonderful long range shots for the Roos last weekend.
This final looms as a goal for goal encounter with the Tigers expected to creep over the line in an upset victory.
13 AND UNDER B – CASTERTON SANDFORD V WEST GAMBIER
The young Cats are coming off a tense overtime loss to Millicent so they will be determined to earn one more crack at the Saints by winning their way into the grand final.
Casterton Sandford is taking on West Gambier for that right and it looms as another tight tussle.
The Cats have won all three encounters in the 2022 season but only five goals was the difference last time.
Ylana Grigg and Rachel Forbes make up a strong defensive combination for the Cats, while the Roos will rely on the hard work and smart moves of goaling combination Sara Richards and Eva Povey.
