Millicent v South Gambier


South Gambier had a tough day out when they hosted West Gambier in round 8 and things do not get any easier this weekend when the Demons hit the road to take on Millicent.


The Saints are yet to hit their straps in 2024 and are still to really settle on a preferred combination, although the return of star goaler Demi Verbena to the court last round should see increased confidence in the frontline and improved scoring power.


Consistency has been a challenge for the Demons as has converting possession into scoring opportunities and they will need to be patient with ball in hand to work their way through the classy young defensive line of Edie Easterby, Portia McRae and Lauren VanEeden, with Lisa Duldig providing guidance from either the defensive wing or centre.


It means the likes of Sophie Wight, Megan Reid, Tully McShane and Teresa Humphris will need to work hard to find good feeding position to Ash Widdison and Gracie Dalton, who shared the goal shooter role last round, in space.


Accuracy will also be critical as the young Saints defenders will dominate any rebounding duels.


The Demons will also need to up the ante defensively and look to at least slow the ball movement of the Saints, who have Lillie Paul, Daisy Tunkin and Duldig all creative with ball in hand.


If the pressure on the Millicent feeders is not applied consistently it will make it too tough for Mykaela Thiele and Ellie Bouchier to restrict the Saints’ scoring power.


South just cannot seem to put a four quarter performance together this season and the Saints will take the points.


East Gambier v North Gambier


East Gambier was unable to mark Morgan Amy’s 300th game with a victory over Millicent and the task is just as challenging this weekend when the Bulldogs host North Gambier.


The Tigers had a battle of their own before a stunning third quarter saw them set up a match winning deal over the Cats.


The challenge for East Gambier will be slowing the ball movement of the Tigers.


Brianna Walters and Kaitlin Egan have dominated the mid court for North and their speed and ability to hit the circle hard has been pivotal in the scoring power of the Tigers, where Macey Griffith, Kelly Lockwood and Mischa Human have all proved to be accurate with any combination of those three shooters working well.


It means Tegan Nunan and Casey Horrigan in the mid court will need to be tight checking, while Morgan Amy, Bo Creek and Sharna McKinnon will be looking to deny time and space for the Tigers frontline so they can create some turnover ball.


The Tigers defenders know they will need to keep a close eye on Malinda Foster – the debut coach not letting that responsibility affect her accurate finishing, while Renee Henke and Horrigan have both played good supporting roles in the East shooting circle.


Stella Mobbs, Lauran Norman, Ava Collins and Mel Renko are a tough defensive line though and they will make it tough for the East shooting combination given their ability in the air, good reach over the shot and the pressure on the feeders that so often produces error on delivery.


East has challenged the top three sides but not been able to secure a breakthrough win and North looks too strong, especially with its deep list, and should secure its top two position at the season halfway point.


Casterton Sandford v West Gambier


The Cats have two wins and for all but one quarter were right in the battle with North Gambier last weekend, but hosting West Gambier this weekend presents a new level of challenge.


The Roos have a settled line up and have no weaknesses.


The shooting combination of Sarah Ritter and Lisa McGregor is the most prolific in the competition and their ability to find each other in space for the most part looks easy.


The mid court of Tara Bryant, Jess Holmes and Chelsea Tremelling has speed to burn, as well as smarts with Bryant working the long drives and Holmes working the tight angles as they complement each other’s games in the front half, while Tremelling has been a revelation on the defensive wing.


She is tight checking, deceptively impressive in the air and plays a key role as a link player in transition.


Amy Cram is playing as well as she has in her decorated career and the work she and coach McGregor have done transforming Mikaela Horrigan into a circle defender has reaped rewards and Cram and Horrigan continue to create plenty of turnover ball, forcing opposition frontlines into error time and time again.


Casterton Sandford will be looking for its shooting combination of Holly Smith and Chelsea Hulm to work hard to find front position and not require the ball in the air so as to limit the intercepting ability of Cram and Horrigan.


The mid court will also need to work hard to get the ball through the tough West defence, with Phoebe Carlin and Madalene Cleary more than likely tasked with those roles.


Defensively Ebany Jarrad will need to combine with Cleary to pressure the feeds from the Roos mid court, while Chloe Finnigan and Caeleigh Humphries will be looking to stop the ball before it gets in the hands of Ritter and McGregor.


It is hard to mount a case for any team to beat West at this stage and while the Cats will be tenacious, the Roos will eventually overwhelm them.