LDFNL – A Grade netball
CASTERTON Sandford welcomed Chloe Finnigan back to add some grit and toughness to their defensive line but despite the Saints missing Tabatha Sanderson and Edie Easterby, Millicent still powered to a comfortable 33-goal victory at Island Park on Saturday.
Millicent, of course, have good depth and for the second time this season used Annalise Janssen to fill in for Sanderson, meaning there was still a tall, accurate shooter at the post, while defensively, Lauren Van Eeden and Nikeisha Facey made a formidable combination even without Easterby’s star power.
The Cats’ cause was not helped by the absence of Danielle Tooley, meaning the young shooting combination of Brydie Carlin, taking to the court as a goaler for this first time in A Grade, alongside Chelsea Hulm.
The margin was 10 at quarter time and 20 at the half before a strong third quarter from the home side, on the back of eight from nine from Carlin, saw the margin only extended by six entering the final quarter, before the 70 to 37 final scoreline.
Lillie Paul continued her outstanding season with a hard running four quarters in centre for Millicent, dominating the feeding duties and also applying pressure to the Cats feeders.
Her battle with Madalene Cleary was one of the highlights of the contest as both did a mountain of work in transition.
The defensive efforts of Van Eeden and Facey were also critical, given they only gave up 54 scoring opportunities compared to the Saints’ 91.
Their tight checking and willingness to contest was a feature of the defensive performance, while at the other end of the court, the Cats’ best were their defenders in Caeleigh Humphries and the returning Finnigan, who battled the weight of possession to still create some turnover ball.
But in the end, the ease with which Millicent was able to find Janssen ensured the scoreboard would always be in their favour.
This week the Cats face the Penola Eagles at Island Park for the first time, in what is being tipped to be the match of the round – see page 16 for the preview.
In other games …
REIGNING premier North Gambier has made a strong statement with a 27-goal demolition of fellow title contender West Gambier.
Mischa Human continues to be unstoppable in goal shooter and with the silver service delivery she receives from Bri Walters, Kaitlin Egan and Macey Griffith, means she gets a mountain of opportunities to impact the scoreboard
At the weekend, the teenage shooting sensation netted 69 from 77 as North powered to that 27 goal victory, as West just could neither stem the flow of scoring nor enjoy any seamless connection in their own frontline.
The Tigers are sitting pretty on top, undefeated and given the last time these two sides met it was only a one goal margin, the weekend’s performance is certainly ominous for the other 2025 contenders.
Penola jumped out of the blocks in their clash with South Gambier, netting the first six goals of the game before the Demons rallied to provide a better competition, but after a strong first half from the home side, it was all the Eagles in the second half as they powered to a 39-goal victory.
