Despite having top spot sewn up, West Gambier has shown no signs of taking its foot off the pedal and unfortunately for South Gambier that spells trouble this weekend at Blue Lake Sports Park.
Last time the two met, the Demons went toe to toe with the top ranked Roos in the opening quarter, only to fall away dramatically in a disappointing capitulation.
They will be looking to be more competitive across four quarters this weekend and it will not be easy given West Gambier is strong across every position on the court.
Their shooting combination of Sarah Ritter and Lisa McGregor have regularly appeared in the team’s best over the past month, while Jess Holmes is unassuming but reliable and a quality feeder, Tara Bryant is an asset at both ends of the court and her hard running is second to none, while the defensive back court of Chelsea Tremelling, Amy Cram and Mikaela Horrigan consistently force opposition teams into error, creating turnover ball.
West’s speed of ball has proven to be an issue for South all season and if Mykaela Thiele and Ellie Bouchier are any hope of limiting the Roos’ scoring power, the pressure will need to come from through the mid court with defensive efforts from Sophie Wight, Teresa Humphris, Tully McShane and Megan Reid.
Gracie Dalton is unlikely to take the court after suffering an ankle injury at the weekend and she will be missed but Reid was impressive in the goal attack role at the weekend and she also did a good job last time these two teams met, in the absence of Ash Widdison.
West has finals on its mind but will no doubt want to enter the major round on the back of a dominant performance and it is now possible to mount a case that South will be able to stop that from happening.
EAST GAMBIER V MILLICENT
Millicent has come good at the right time of the season, knocking off both West Gambier and North Gambier in the run into the finals.
This spells trouble for East Gambier as the Saints will be looking to not only finetune ahead of the finals but to record a dominant win, given the same two sides will be facing off in the knockout semi final a week later.
The Saints shooting combination of Nikeisha Facey and Demi Verbena have now spent enough time together to be a scoring force, while the defensive end of the court has options with Portia McRae, Edie Easterby and Lauren Van Eeden.
Chances are Lisa Duldig, who left the court late with an injury last weekend, will remain sidelined ready for the finals, but with Lillie Paul and Daisy Tunkin in good form the mid court is still in good shape.
Malinda Foster is coming off a stunning shooting performance but she will need more opportunity, which means the defensive line-up will need to try and find a way to slow Millicent’s quick transition play and create turnovers.
Bo Creek, Morgan Amy and Sharna McKinnon had their moments against West but will need a four quarter effort if they are going to remain competitive on the scoreboard.
Millicent has always been a well prepared finals side and they will ensure they get everything right tHis weekend ahead of the major round.
NORTH GAMBIER V CASTERTON SANDFORD
Casterton Sandford has given North Gambier its headaches this season but the Tigers are not only looking to enter the finals in top form, they will also be eager to get back on the winner’s list after going down in an arm wrestle with Millicent last round.
The Cats will be on a high after their third win of the season but it was a low scoring, error ridden affair and they know they will need to play at a much higher, more consistent level if they are to trouble North.
Despite North’s round 15 loss, the Tigers are a line-up with no weaknesses and the form of Kaitlin Egan and Brianna Walters through the mid court continues to be the key to their success.
Shooting accuracy has also been impressive all season, led by star teenager Macey Griffith, and with Mel Renko leading the defensive end of the court, the Tigers will be looking to stifle the Cats’ ability to score, while using slick ball movement to ensure they keep their own scoreboard ticking over.
Caeleigh Humphries will need to replicate her form from last weekend if the Cats are to limit the scoring power of the Tigers, while Ebany Jarrad has the tough task of matching up on Griffith, so she will need to be at her tight checking best. Chelsea Hulm and Holly Smith will also need to be more accurate in the shooting circle as well with Stella Mobbs rarely outrebounded, meaning missed shots are turnovers.
If Madalene Cleary again suits up at wing attack, her battle with Ava Collins will be one of the match shaping contests but looms as a lop-sided contest in favour of the second ranked Tigers.
