LCFNL – A Grade netball


CASTERTON Sandford had a stunning first round win, unveiling a new look starting seven that looks set to challenge for a finals berth, but the Cats’ Achilles heel has always been player availability, both through injury and other commitments and that curse struck again at the weekend when they headed to McLaughlin Park to take on Millicent.


The Saints welcomed back Edie Easterby, only strengthening their line-up which got the better of Penola in round one, and easily accounted for an undermanned Cats, 84 to 27.


Only Chelsea Hulm and Indi Longhurst were available from Casterton Sandford’s round one side, but it did give a chance for the club’s young talent to get a taste of more top-level netball.


Ivy Lane joined Hulm in the shooting circle, Makayla Hutchins took the wing attack bib, Madaline Patton took the wing defence role and Ebany Jarrad at goal defence.


All have previously had their taste of A Grade action, as had Phoebe Carlin, who entered the clash in the mid court after quarter time, but in the end, it was a weight of supply that made life tough for the makeshift Cats combination.


Rising defensive talent Ylana Grigg made her debut in the second half at goalkeeper, replacing swing player Shelby Nolte, who has done most of her damage as a shooter for the Cats in recent seasons.


As she did in her return to the court in round one, Millicent shooter Tabatha Sanderson was unstoppable, 69 of the Saints’ 84 goals, with Mylee Lynch looking more comfortable at the level this weekend, upping her output and converting 15 from 22 as she used her speed and clever ball delivery to great effect.


The Saints experimented with their mid court again this weekend, with Lillie Paul proving to be the main feeder into the Saints goal circle, while a couple of defensive combinations were trialled.


Easterby put in a best on court performance in circle defence and proved just how important she is for the Saints’ chances, while Lauren Van Eeden and Nikeisha Facey were as reliable as ever in their roles as tight checking defenders.


Sanderson was again in the Saints’ best along with Easterby, while Longhurst and Jarrad were best for the Cats.


West Gambier V North Gambier


WEST Gambier might be sitting at zero and two at this early stage of the 2025 LCFNL netball season but this weekend showed they will absolutely be one of the benchmark teams, well in the race for the 2025 title.


The Roos fell to reigning premiers North Gambier by one goal in a match that was genuinely an arm wrestle with no side ever able to build a comfortable buffer.


North led by two at quarter time, it was the same margin at the main break, West was able to go into the last with a one goal lead and then North won the final quarter by two to ensure an undefeated start to their premiership defence.


Both sides were missing starting seven players – North without goal shooter Mischa Human, who is about to hit the court at the Australian National Netball Championships in South Australia’s 17 & Under team, while West Gambier is still without goal keeper Mikaela Horrigan.


The Tigers chose to swing Stella Mobbs from the defensive circle to the goal shooter role, moving Noni McConnell back to keeper and Mel Renko back into the defensive circle, while Tully Lindner took the Roos goal keeper bib for the second successive week.


Sara Ritter might have opened the season with a quieter game by her lofty standards but she was back to her best this weekend, netting 63 from 68, including a perfect 20 from 20 in the tense final quarter and her connection with the hard running Anna Bosco looks set to be a fruitful one.


Given the high scoring nature of the contest, 74-73, it was the respective attack lines that held sway and Brianna Walters was outstanding for the second week in a row.


Her ability to find space, her speed off the mark and her clinical delivery continue to make life easy for her shooters and tough for defenders.


Her connection with star goal attack Macey Griffith was especially critical in the second half, where Griffth stepped up her productivity on the shooting side of things, converting a perfect 26 from 26 in what was a critical contribution to the eventual result.


South Gambier V Penola


PENOLA has secured its first win since joining the LCFNL, sending an ominous warning to the competition they are to be a contender.


They dominated South Gambier from the first whistle to the last with Gorgia Robbie putting in a best on court performance that saw her create numerous turnovers, rebound strongly and play a key role in transition with her strong driving through the mid court.


South, already with a new look line-up, also had to make late changes due to player unavailability, and in the first half showed glimpses with some confident ball movement in the attacking third and some good positioning and finishing from goalers Ruby Richter and Ella Jolley, who was in her first A Grade outing in her career.


But the Eagles always had an answer, capitalising on the Demons’ errors and moving the ball with clinical speed to find Tegan Lythgo and April Possingham in good shooting position with both goalers dominating on the hold.


Sally Skeer was also outstanding in game 301, using her speed and smarts to great effect, while Tara Clayfield, Heidi Berkin and Hannah Klemm were relentless in their defensive pressure and then quick to turn defence into offence with their strong driving.


While Robbie was clearly best on court, Possingham certainly rewarded her team mates for their work, netting 59 from 65.


The South defensive line had a tough day out given the weight of possession enjoyed by the Eagles but Milla Walmsley, in her A Grade debut, certainly battled hard to apply pressure to the Penola feeders and she was a key in bring the ball down court for South, while Mykaela Thiele got some important touches, as did another debutant Chelsea Dunn when she entered the clash in the final quarter.


Teresa Humphris ran hard all day and in her final game for the club after being transferred for work, her final quarter run down of an errant pass that saved the ball just before it went out of court and resulted in a goal was typical of what she has brought to the South Gambier A Grade team.


Tully McShane and Richter were named best for South, while Robbie and Possingham were clearly best for the Eagles.