SOUTH GAMBIER V PENOLA


Penola certainly impressed in its first outing in the Limestone Coast Football Netball League and while eventually succumbing to Millicent, there was plenty to like from the Eagles.

As they head to Blue Lake Sports Park to take on a completely new look South Gambier, the Eagles would be buoyed by the form of April Possingham, who loomed large every time the ball entered the attacking third and finished accurately, while the talent of Teagan Lythgo and Gorgia Robbie at either end of the court is undeniable.

Add to that the experience of Maddy Teakle at goal keeper and the ultra-consistent midcourter Sally Skeer, who celebrated her 300th game as an Eagle last weekend, and Penola rightfully enter this weekend’s clash as the hot favourites.

Gracie Dalton will be the focal point of the South frontline as she starts to build a relationship with promoted goaler Ruby Richter, while the young mid court of Ella Jolley and Milla Walmsley can be relied upon to run hard all day and give maximum effort.

Defensively Mykaela Thiele will anchor the efforts and her tight checking and work over the shot will be crucial if the Demons are to challenge.

Penola has the edge in experience and squad depth and should secure their first victory in their new league, while for South it will be about maximum effort and staying in the contest for as long as possible.

WEST GAMBIER V NORTH GAMBIER


It is shaping up to be another tough day at the office for West Gambier this weekend with potential player unavailability hampering their chance to upset the 2024 LCFNL A Grade premiers North Gambier.

The Tigers looked settled and well drilled in the opening round with only one change to their premiership winning line up.

The attack line remains the same with Mischa Human and Macey Griffith combining well in goals and Brianna Walters and Kaitlin Egan providing great delivery.

At the other end of the court, returning defender Noni McConnell has taken the goal defence bib with Mel Renko moving to the defensive wing in the absence of Ava Collins, who is recovering from an ACL injury.

Stella Mobbs is again the anchor of the defensive line and her battle with star West Gambier shooter Sarah Ritter will be one of the game defining match ups.

If West still has to field a makeshift mid court and defensive line, it does make life more difficult but with Amy Cram taking charge defensively and Lisa McGregor controlling the frontline, the Roos are not without their chances.

One of the other match ups that will go a long way to deciding the final result is Roos wing defender Chelsea Tremelling’s battle with Walters.

Both are blessed with speed, strong aerial skills and are tough in the clinches and Tremelling will need to limit Walters’ influence, given how critical she is in connecting the defensive line to the Tigers shooting circle.

Regardless of this weekend’s result you would expect both these sides to figure prominently at the business end of 2025 with North heavily favoured the get the job done at this early stage of the season.

MILLICENT V CASTERTON SANDFORD


Casterton Sandford put out a new look line-up in round one and got the job done against an undermanned West Gambier.

The changes to the Cats line, especially the inclusion of star shooter Danielle Tooley, already seem to have reaped rewards and if they can maintain a settled line-up, steep improvement is inevitable.

Tooley is a strong target and accurate finisher and as her combination with Chelsea Hulm develops, the scoring power of Casterton Sandford will only increase.

Speedy and smart wing attack Indi Longhurst is always a consistent performer, while having the luxury of keeping Madalene Cleary and Caeleigh Humphries in the mid court looks like a huge bonus for the Cats, rather than having to use the two star utilities to plug gaps at either end of the court.

The move of Holly Smith to defence also looks a winner as she develops her combination with the tenacious Chloe Finnigan.

Of course, Millicent is never an easy proposition and even without Demi Verbena as part of the line-up at this early stage, the return of Tabatha Sanderson to the shooting circle in round one was ominous.

Mylee Lynch will also be better for her first up run in A Grade and her speed and pinpoint delivery will be key.

Lillie Paul and Lisa Duldig are all class and work hard in the mid court while at the defensive end, Georgia Clarke, Lauren van Eeden, Nikeisha Facey and Edie Easterby give the Saints plenty of viable options.

Millicent took three quarters to finally shake off the challenge of Penola but when they put the foot down, it looked impressive, especially given the makeshift nature of the line-up while they wait for players to return and also ascertain just what the best combination is going forward.

This looms as a tighter contest than in recent seasons between these two teams with the Saints just getting over the line.