The draw has not been kind to Casterton Sandford, forcing them to play the two best teams in the competition back to back with Millicent visiting to Island Park for round 12 of Western Border netball.
Makayla Hutchins and Scarlett Jarrad were the pick of the Cats last weekend and they will need to be at their best to take on the in form Georgia Clark, experienced Lisa Duldig, who recently clocked up 350 senior games and Paige Nitschke, who is a smart player.
As it was last weekend, finding a way to limit supply to a tall shooter will be the key task of the Cats as they look to limit the influence of Tabatha Sanderson by pressuring the ball further up the court.
The Saints will come home with the win.
SOUTH GAMBIER V EAST GAMBIER
The Blue Lake Sports Park clash between South Gambier and East Gambier looms as the most crucial match of the season for both clubs as they battle it out for a top four finish.
East’s win over North at the weekend displaced the Demons from the top four and South will need to throw everything at the reigning premiers to pick up a victory and a place back in finals contention.
The Bulldogs put their preferred starting seven out on court for the first time this season at the weekend in their eight-goal victory over North but South, first quarter aside, was impressive at the weekend and if they bring their best netball for four quarter they could rack up another victory over the titleholders.
Lara Munro and Alyssa Duncan are a tough shooting combination and will need to be patient with ball in hand as Bo Creek and Morgan Amy.
Sarah Lock and Amryn Bosko also loom large as a smart shooting combination that share the workload and Grace Edwards and Ellie Bouchier, as they did in the previous round’s win over the Bulldogs, will need to be tight checking and also dominate the air, especially on the rebounding opportunities.
This is tantamount to a final for both sides with the Bulldogs just getting the job done in a tight one.
NORTH GAMBIER V WEST GAMBIER
The Tigers are the walking wounded and you do not want to be anything but full strength and fighting fit to taker on the top ranked Roo’s.
A cloud hangs over mid court star Brianna Walters and defender Zahra Crough after they were forced from the court with injury in last weekend’s loss to East.
North has been able to utilise junior talent to fill the void throughout 2022, when you are taking on the competition benchmark, having your best line-up is paramount.
Caroline Wakefield had a quiet game, by her lofty standards, and her battle with Jade Ritter will be one of the pivotal on court in determining the final outcome.
