MILLICENT V SOUTH GAMBIER
Millicent opened the season with a strong win over a new look East Gambier and this weekend the Saints host another new look combination – South Gambier.
The 2022 runners up looked polished on their opening round hit out with the shooting combination of Demi Verbena and Tabatha Sanderson looking as damaging as ever; the defensive line of Portia McRae, Lauren Van Eeden and Kimmi Varcoe stifled the Bulldogs frontline and the mid court, led by Lisa Duldig, lost nothing with the injection of young talent Lillie Paul and Daisy Tunkin.
The Demons, on the other hand, still have some shuffling to do and combinations to test as they look to cover the loss of height and the impact of goaler Lara Munro and defender Grace Potts but with the likes of Ellie Bouchier and Alyssa Duncan influencing games at either end, and the steady heads and hands of Tully McShane and Megan Reid in the mid court, the Demons still have a core of the 2022 group with which to work.
The experience of Belinda Scanlon, in her return to the A Grade court, will be invaluable, while Sophie Wight brings speed and athleticism to the mid court or defensive end and Gracie Dalton can also play either end as she looks to experience her first season of top grade netball.
The Saints should get the job done at this early stage of the season with the Demons still searching for exactly how they will look in 2023.
CASTERTON SANDFORD V EAST GAMBIER
Casterton Sandford had a baptism of fire last weekend, taking on an unchanged West Gambier premiership line-up with a depleted line-up of their own.
This weekend, they will return home to Island Park and host the Bulldogs, another of the 2023 A Grade line-ups that look very different to the previous season.
Indi Longhurst and Chelsey Galpin showed good signs as attacking mid courters and they will only get better each run, while Libby Altorfer was a revelation on the defensive wing and her battle with key east Gambier playmaker Tarsh McCallum will be one of the most pivotal of the day.
Madalene Cleary was the stand out for the Cats in round one and if she has to stay in the shooting circle, her battle with Bo Creek will be the other battle to watch, which will shape the final result.
If Cleary can be freed up from shooting duties, she could have a positive impact in the mid court or shoring up the defensive end.
Both sides are very different looking to their 2022 line-us but East, with McCallum and Creek, as well as tough defender Morgan Amy, will be looking to set up their first win of the season, with the speed and smarts of Casey Horrigan in the shooting circle also set to be a key if the Bulldogs are to take the points.
East to take the win in a narrow one.
NORTH GAMBIER V WEST GAMBIER
There is no other way to put it – West Gambier looked ominous in the opening round and with an unchanged line-up from its 2022 premiership success, North Gambier, which has had some significant personnel changes, will be up against it, this early in the season.
Sarah Ritter looked unstoppable in goals and Lisa McGregor was at her damaging best, playing high up court as the main outlet out of defence and then delivering with precision to Ritter.
At the other end Amy Cram and Jade Ritter denied the Cats time and space every time the ball entered the goal third and they have such a good working relationship that North will need to be patient and smart with ball in hand to find a way through their defensive set up.
The Roos were also impressive through the middle with the speed of Tara Bryant, who not only hit the circle’s edge time and time again with her strong drives, but also worked hard defensively and created plenty of turnover ball, as did Zoe Malseed, who was at her tight checking best.
Mikaela Horrigan was at her unassuming best – just when you thought she was being well held, she would find space and her creative delivery and good vision meant she delivered some of the more spectacular feeds.
North, like many of the other new look line-ups, is anything but settled and will need to work out just what their best seven will be.
Macey Griffith will be a focal point in the shooting circle, while Brianna Walters will be the key in the mid court – another player who always impacts in both aspects of the game.
The experience of Mel Renko and Noni McConnell will be crucial, especially in these early rounds, with both able to dominate the defensive end or impact in the mid court.
Lauran Norman was the X factor in 2022, playing ins all three areas of the court when called upon and she will probably have to be that versatile option again for coach Amanda O’Shaughnessy.
West not only looked impressive in round one but they have the benefit of being the only unchanged line-up for 2023 and will certainly be able to use that in their favour to bank the wins in these early rounds.
