MILLICENT V PENOLA

Millicent hosts Penola this weekend in what looms as the Limestone Coast Football Netball League’s clear match of the round.

In their opening round clash, it took the Saints until the final quarter to shake free of the Eagles and it looms as another tough contest.

Tabatha Sanderson’s return in 2025 has been impressive and if the Eagles cannot limit supply to the tall Saints shooter, they will suffer the same fate as in round 1.

While Penola keeper Maddy Teakle is a good match up for Sanderson, it is the pressure on the ball coming in that is the key and that will fall to the likes of Sally Skeer, Tara Clayfield and Heidi Berkin to not allow the likes of Lillie Paul and Piper Paul to hit the circle’s edge to make best use of their pinpoint delivery.

Gorgia Robbie also has a huge job – not just taking care of young goal attack Mylee Lynch, who has formed a strong partnership with Sanderson, but to also help Teakle stop access to the Saints
 shooter.

Robbie’s ability to hunt the interception in the centre third will also be critical.

The Eagles shooting circle has been well served by April Possingham and Millicent defenders Nikeisha Facey, Lauren Van Eeden and Edie Easterby will be looking to shut down the goaler, who has been scoring a lion’s share of the Eagles goals.

Penola will be disappointed to have gone down narrowly to East Gambier last round and will be keen to bounce back, but the Saints have been building nicely and will be refreshed from the bye to take the points on their home court.

WEST GAMBIER V CASTERTON SANDFORD

In round 1, a new look Casterton Sandford upset an undermanned West Gambier, but injuries have cruelled the Cats’ promising season and the Roos have started to build some momentum after a slow start.

West is looking for their fourth successive win after last round setting up their victory over South Gambier with a dominant second quarter that put the result beyond doubt.

Mikaela Horrigan has the task of making life tough for Cats goal shooter Danielle Tooley – the West defender was not there in round 1, and based on the pressure both Horrigan and Amy Cram were able to place on the South frontline last round, the Cats will have their work cut out for them.

It will mean Indi Longhurst, Phoebe Carlin and Bridie Carlin will need to work hard through the mid court to find a safe way through the Roos defence, while at the other end of the court, Cats defender Caeleigh Humphries looms large as the key to limiting the scoreboard damage inflicted by Lisa McGregor and Sarah
 Ritter.

Humphries is a turnover queen but it might be asking too much for her to create turnover ball, limit McGregor’s ability to deliver the ball to Ritter and also help shut down the star Roos shooter.

With North, Millicent and West all desperate for a top two finish, the Roos know they cannot afford any more slip ups to lower ranked opponents and they will take the points at home.

EAST GAMBIER V NORTH GAMBIER

East Gambier is coming off a close loss to West Gambier and a gritty two goal win over Penola in the past two outings and will be keen to continue to be a hard side to play against, but hosting the reigning premiers is the toughest task in A Grade netball at the moment.

North Gambier has no weaknesses and have been making light work of most opponents and with teenage shooter Mischa Human scoring upwards of 70 goals most weeks, there does not seem to be a way to mount a case for the Bulldogs.

Sharna McKinnon has the unenviable task of matching up on Human and while Bo Creek, Morgan Amy and Emily Neave will do their best to pressure the incoming ball, it is just basically impossible to shut down all the class players in the North line-up.

Bri Walters and Kaitlin Egan are two of the premier mid courters in the competition and Macey Griffith just gets the job done, delivering to Human with pinpoint accuracy and finishing her own opportunities accurately as well.

Defensively, Stella Mobbs, Noni McConnell and Mel Renko will make life tough for the still developing East Gambier frontline and their work over the shot and rebounding prowess will only add to the pressure on the East goalers.

East are never easy to beat and they will definitely be in the contest, but over four quarters North’s class will ensure another comfortable victory.