Casterton Sandford has started the 2025 Limestone Coast Football Netball League season with a bang, announcing the Cats as a genuine finals contender with a four goal victory over perennial powerhouse West Gambier.


The Roos were undermanned, missing premiership players Mikaela Horrigan and Tara Bryant, and it was clear the Cats were up for the fight from the first whistle.


A best on court performance from goal shooter Danielle Tooley showed the impact the new recruit will have with her strong positioning and accurate finishing in the shooting circle.


Tooley netted 15 from 17 in the opening quarter and her ability to find space saw West move star goal defender Amy Cram onto the Cats shooter in the second half.


Tooley’s ability to lock down a shooting role also freed up Holly Smith to be a key player at the defensive end of the court and her combination with Chloe Finnigan will test opposition shooting duos.


Finnigan’s tight checking and Smith’s dominance in the air and pressure over the shot ensured star West shooting duo Lisa McGregor and reigning league best and fairest Sarah Ritter did not have things all their own way.


The West player absences gave young defenders Tully Lindner and Mikayla Pearson their first taste of A Grade netball and while it was a tough initiation, they showed signs.


A lack of supply has been an issue for the Cats in seasons past but the 60-56 victory came on the back of consistent supply and Chelsea Hulm, especially in the second half, started to find her synergy with Tooley and secured plenty of scoring opportunities.


Having both Caeleigh Humphries and Madalene Cleary permanently in the mid court was another winning move for the Cats.


West was best serviced by the hard running Chelsea Tremelling in her battle with young gun Indi Longhurst, while McGregor worked overtime to be not only a target in the shooting circle but a key connecter and main feeder to Ritter.


NORTH GAMBIER V EAST GAMBIER


Round one opened under lights at Vansittart Park with the reigning premiers North Gambier showing there is no early premiership hangover, putting together a clinical four quarter performance to get the better of the new look East Gambier line-up.


The 58-24 victory was built on relentless defensive pressure, speed through the mid court, precise ball movement and accurate finishing.


Teenage shooter Mischa


Human was strong on the hold and netted 37 from 48, while 2024 Team


of the Year debutant Macey Griffith was impressive with her delivery to Human and ability to win her won shooting opportunities, converting 21 from 27.


The return of Noni McConnell to the defensive circle alongside Stella Mobbs freed up Mel Renko to the mid court and her ability to pressure opposition feeders and also play a role in transition was instrumental in the comfortable win.


In contrast to North’s stable line-up, East had new faces and combinations all over the court.


Playing coach Emily Neave returned to the centre role, while the return of Karly McCrow certainly boosted the Bulldogs’ shooting stocks and once


the East frontline, which had Renee Henke at goal attack and Casey Horrigan on the attacking wing, spends more time together, the scoring should improve.


McCrow started strongly on Friday night with nine from 12 in the opening quarter but supply dried up as North upped the pressure.


Bo Creek was again the pick of the Bulldogs as she anchored the defensive end of the court, which on Friday night welcomed Brenna McKay for a guest appearance.


PENOLA V MILLICENT


It took more than three quarters for Millicent to assume control of its round one clash with Penola – the Eagles showing plenty and announcing they will be a challenging proposition in 2025.


Scores were locked at 12-all at the first break, Millicent held a two goal half time lead, it was four at the final change and that is when the Saints put their foot down and powered to an 18 goal victory.


Returning goal shooter Tabatha Sanderson proved the difference in that final quarter, converting 17 from 20, while at the other end of the court the scoring opportunities dried up for the Eagles, who only had nine in total.


Playing her 300th game, Sally Skeer was at her hard running best in the


mid court, and her move to wing


attack during the first quarter allowed her to use her smarts to hit the circle hard, feeding April Possingham and Teagan Lythgo with her usual


accuracy.


The Saints had their share of debutants with Mylee Lynch taking the goal attack bib, while Piper Paul also hit the court for her first taste of A Grade action in the second half.


The defensive line of Gorgia Robbie and Maddy Teakle won their share of ball back for the Eagles and outside of that final quarter, ensured things were not easy for the Saints frontline, with Robbie also proving a key with


her driving through the mid court as the Eagles turned defence into offence.


Possingham and Lythgo were accurate but in the end it was a lack of supply that hurt Penola on the scoreboard – Millicent generating 75 opportunities to Penola’s 50.


The Eagles certainly moved the magnets around to try and get the ascendancy, especially in the second half, but in the end, Sanderson was such a strong target and accurate finisher that Millicent, who will still add Edie Easterby and Demi Verbena to their A Grade line-up, was able to secure a first up victory.