North Gambier v South Gambier


North Gambier is hosting South Gambier this weekend and there is nothing to suggest the Tigers will not secure a convincing victory.


The Tigers took care of top ranked West Gambier in Round 11 and it is a line-up that shows no real weakness.


The defensive line of Ava Collins, Stella Mobbs and Mel Renko is as tough as any to score against and the height of Collins over the feeds, the ability of Mobbs to disrupt any inaccurate delivery and the tight checking of Renko all makes for a tough day at the office for the Demons frontline.


At the other end of the court, the Demons defensive unit led by Ellie Bouchier and Mykaela Thiele have the unenviable task of trying to slow the ball movement of the Tigers frontline.


Macey Griffith is in career best form, Kelly Lockwood has proved to be a clever and accurate shooter, Mischa Human gives them another dimension with height at the post and the feeding of Kaitlin Egan and Brianna Walters has been peerless all season.


Much will fall on the likes of Tully McShane, Sophie Wight, Teresa Humphris and Megan Reid in the mid court to try and slow the usually slick ball movement of the Tigers and give the defenders a fighting chance to deny too many scoring opportunities to Griffith and Lockwood, while Gracie Dalton and Ash Widdison will need to take care of the ball and finish accurately, given Mobbs will dominate any rebounding contest.


North should only enhance its premiership credentials with a dominant victory.


East Gambier v Casterton Sandford


The clash at McDonald Park between East Gambier and Casterton Sandford is a ladder shaping contest as the Cats look to keep their slim finals hopes alive.


Last time the two met the Cats took the win, but the Bulldogs were missing Bo Creek and there is no denying the star defender makes a difference.


But if Casterton Sandford want to push for a top four finish they just have to defeat East and that will only happen if they deny too much ball for accurate East goalers Malinda Foster and Renee Henke.


If that duo has too much ball, the scoreboard will keep ticking over so Caeleigh Humphries, Chloe Finnigan and Ebany Jarrad will need to deny time and space to the East frontline, with Madalene Cleary providing the pressure over the feed.


It also means the Cats will need to make every post a winner, with Chelsea Hulm and Holly Smith resuming their partnership after a few rounds break, and they will need to work hard to find front position and keep the ball out of the air, given the strength of Creek, Sharna McKinnon and Morgan Amy in the air.


Indi Longhurst’s speed and patience with ball in hand will be a deciding factor as the youngster looks to deny the East defenders their usual swag of turnovers.


It will be another tight clash with East doing enough to secure a finals berth.


Millicent V West Gambier


Millicent is hosting West Gambier and the Roos will welcome back Sarah Ritter to the goal shooter position as they look to rebound from their only loss of 2024 in Round 11 against North Gambier.


Ritter and Lisa McGregor are a prolific scoring shooting combination and the ability of Edie Easterby, Portia McRae and Lauren VanEeden to limit their scoring opportunities will be key to the final outcome of this absorbing contest.


At the other end of the court, the key match up is Amy Cram and Demi Verbena.


Verbena’s return has certainly boosted the Saints’ prospects and the way she controls the offence and connects with her teammates is critical to Millicent’s chances.


Cram has been in stellar form and she is the player who so often finds a turnover when the Roos need it, which means Lillie Paul, Daisy Tunkin and Lisa Duldig will need to be patient with ball in hand to ensure they find Verbena and Nikeisha Facey in good shooting position.


Chelsea Tremelling is also a key to this match – the unassuming wing defender often getting her hands to balls she has no right to disrupt and her speed in transition is just another string to her bow.


Accurate shooting will be a key to this contest with both sets of defenders being strong rebounders but in the end, this will be a match decided by which team brings the most defensive heat.


West to bounce back in a close one.