A GRADE – NORTH GAMBIER V MILLICENT


The undefeated reigning premiers dominated the second semi final against Millicent, but it’s unlikely North Gambier thinks this weekend’s Limestone Coast Football Netball League title decider will be that one-sided.


The 22-7 opening quarter all but put the second semi final to bed but the Saints are unlikely to start that sluggishly again.


That being said, the Tigers look unstoppable.


They are well drilled, apply relentless pressure, had five players selected in the Team of the Year and have the league best and fairest Mischa Human and her 93% accuracy rate standing at the post.


It makes turning the tables on the Tigers a tough task for the Saints, who are coming off a physical and tough preliminary final where it was only in the dying minutes they had the game won.


Nikeisha Facey, who could well get the task of minding Human, is coming off a strong prelim performance but it will take pressure from her teammates out front to ensure Human does not dominate.


Of course, it helps that one of those players is Edie Easterby and she can singlehandedly change a game.


Even in the preliminary final, where she did not win as much ball as she has in some contests this season, she did create turnover ball when the game was on the line in the final quarter and North will be wary of just how much impact the star goal defender can have with her ability to read the play and her closing speed to the contest.


Lauren Van Eeden, Lisa Duldig and Lillie Paul will need to slow the speed of ball from the Tigers and deny Kaitlin Egan and Brianna Walters easy access to the circle’s edge.


Hands over pressure will be key but also will be denying Egan her strong drives to the circle, as she never makes a mistake with ball in hand, while Walters can basically work in a phone box and someone will need to sign up to wear her like a glove.


After the personnel changes Millicent made in the preliminary final, the make up of the attacking end looms as a mystery but the Tigers do know a couple of things – they need to prepare for a tall holding shooter, whether that be Tabatha Sanderson or Annalise Janssen and a speedy goal attack, Mylee Lynch or Demi Verbena.


Piper Paul has been injected into both finals as she looks to recover from a back complaint and her speed and willingness to release the ball has been critical and there is no doubt she will earn some court time.


And the Saints will need speed but also patience and smarts to get through the relentless North defence with Team of the Year debutant Stella Mobbs anchoring the circle defence, partnering with Mel Renko and being helped by the tight checking and pressure from Noni McConnell.


A second blow out seems unlikely but more likely is a tense victory and a successful title defence for the Tigers.



A RESERVE – MILLICENT V NORTH GAMBIER


Another nailbiter looms as Millicent and North Gambier face off again in the 2025 A Reserve grand final.


It was the Saints by five goals in the second semi final but it is a contest that could go either way.


Millicent now holds a 3-1 record against the Tigers but it has always been close and both sides are filled with talent.


Reigning league best and fairest Maddy Bonnano is coming off two strong finals and her height and athleticism challenges all opposition and in the weekend’s preliminary final her shooting partner, junior Lila Pearson, was so impressive and really shared the scoring responsibilities.


The Saints shooting circle is also strong with Kalani Dunn dominating the second semi final after quarter time, converting 34 of 36 from that point onwards and Demi Verbena’s class and her leadership is legendary with Tahnaa Grosser also in the wings able to take on a shooting role.


Defensively both teams are stacked as well.


The Tigers are led by league runner up best and fairest Kelly Lockwood and she is just so good at creating turnovers, while Kelsie Anderson and Ruby Mitchell only add to the ability to win the ball back.


Alice Pratt and Georgia Clarke are tight checking and contest everything and with Emily Denton part of the defensive mix, Millicent also makes it hard to score.


One of the key match ups is in the centre where North’s Sarah Nulty and Millicent’s Jackie Sunderland will control their respective sides’ offence and both work hard in the defensive aspects of the game as well.


Both sides have great depth, especially the junior talent but in the end, the Saints might just capture the title in a close battle.



B GRADE – MILLICENT V NORTH GAMBIER


In the B Grade second semi final, it was basically the third quarter that separated Millicent and North Gambier so North, who won their way back into the grand final with a tough three goal win over Penola, know consistency is key.


That third quarter saw Millicent win 13-9 and basically put the result beyond doubt, victorious by 11.


Both sides will also be looking to finish more accurately given both teams’ defensive combinations are strong rebounders.


Millicent’s Jacqui Matthews leads the Saints attack line, not just with her actions but with her voice and she has a wealth of experience, combining well with young shooter Maya Tarrant, who had a strong second semi and is as composed as they come.


North also has a strong shooting combination with Riley Mitchell dominating at the post and Ashleigh Ashby providing the creativity and speed out the front.


Mitchell’s battle with Nicole Domaschenz will be a key – well matched in heights, this will come down to the timing of moves and staying strong on the hold.


Fran Hirst will also be a match shaper in this B Grade grand final.


The North goal keeper finished league runner up best and fairest in this grade and she is so adept at creating turnover ball and she is a strong rebounder, working hard over the shot.


The Saints will also be looking to X-factor utilities Lucy Crowe and Krystal Coghlan, who are both so great at picking up turnovers and can play circle defence or mid court, while North has a utility of its own in Keyarnah Smith who can basically fill any role on the court and played both mid court and goals in the second semi.


Destined to be much tighter than a fortnight ago, Millicent will narrowly successfully defend its 2024 title.



C GRADE – NORTH GAMBIER V SOUTH GAMBIER


South Gambier has conjured two upset victories this finals series and now faces a third when taking on North Gambier.


The Tigers got the better of the Demons this year – by four, 11 and most recently, in round 18, a convincing 20 goals.


It is safe to say the Tigers have timed their run to the premiership perfectly and have all players firing.


The shooting combination of Milly Allen and Hannah Fox is tough to handle, with Allen’s strength at the post and Fox’s smarts and ability to hit the long range shot.


At the other end of the court, Sophie Dolling is an athletic defender doing some serious damage the last time the two met before going off with a knee injury and Rebecca Johnson works so hard over the shot and is rarely outrebounded.


League runner up best and fairest Tora Jones looms large in the mid court with her hard running, while Keeley Quinn is a reliable and composed mid courter who just keeps presenting.


Young gun Winnie Zadow is an X-factor in this team with her tenacious defensive efforts, rounding out a formidable line-up.


South is a mixture of experience and youth and the Demons have found their mojo at the right time.


Jess McGregor is playing her best netball of the season, where Christine Alexander also proves a handful and their combination is really gelling when it counts most.


Jade Jennings gets her hands to balls when it is needed and both her and Alexander play a huge role in bringing the ball down court.


At the other end of the court, Sam Raedel is the calm, composed leader who perfectly times her moves and finishes accurately, while young goaler Sienna Bartlett settled nicely into senior netball.


The leadership of Misty Dalton will also be key as she runs the mid court and directs play, while Sofie Morale and Kasey Sims bring that all important speed. 


The Demons have been riding a wave but North Gambier should have the edge and claim the title.



17 & UNDER – MILLICENT V NORTH GAMBIER


When Millicent and North Gambier faced off in the second semi final it was a 10 goal margin in favour of the Saints, but this weekend’s 17 & Under grand final looms as a much tighter contest.


Recently crowned league best and fairest Maggie Collins went down with an ankle injury early in the clash and has not hit the court since – her leadership and sheer talent was definitely missed.


She will return this weekend and that already makes the clash a much tighter affair.


Arguably the clash of the day will be Millicent defender Emily Denton taking on reigning A Grade best and fairest Mischa Human.


Denying Human too much ball will be key to repeating the second semi final win.


Ruby Mitchell and Raine Darimaani will also have a fair bit to say about the final result – the star Tigers defenders so good at creating turnover ball and forcing opposition teams into error.


For the Saints, Kalani Dunn has had an outstanding season and her combination with Mylee Lynch has such great connection and both are accurate finishers.


Then there’s the speed and vision of Piper Paul and the tough defensive efforts of Bell Coghlan in the mid court.


Both Millicent and North Gambier also boast deep benches so much will also come down to just how the coaches look to rotate their talented line-ups.


The 17 & Under grand final is set to be one of the highest quality and tightest of the day with the Saints just coming out on top.



15 & UNDER A – MILLICENT V NORTH GAMBIER


This clash went into double overtime in the second semi final and there is no reason not to suspect it will be another nail biting encounter when Millicent and North Gambier go head-to-head in the 15 & Under A grand final.


In that second semi, the scores were all tied up at quarter time, North held a one goal half time lead, Millicent held a one goal three quarter time lead and then it was all tied up at full time and the end of extra time with Millicent taking the clash by gaining a two goal advantage.


Both teams will be working overtime to deny the respective shooters too many opportunities.


Millicent’s Amarlie Thomson is strong and calm and had an outstanding second semi final nailing 42 from 49, while North’s Lila Pearson is so strong in the air and loves a long range shot as much as she does the opportunities at the post.


So much will come down to the defensive efforts all over the court.


Millicent will look to Lucy Crowe and Lola Ferguson to lead their defensive end, while Ava Halloran, for North, will be the key to creating turnover ball, while Grace Collins relishes tight checking roles and she will need to be at her best to shut down Thomson.


The mid courts also have plenty of talented, hard runners with Millicent’s Indi Coghlan and Scarlett Zalme going up against recently awarded league best and fairest Jenna Baron and Winnie Zadow.


North’s Lacey Hunter also looms large as the Tiger goal attack not only feeds the ball well to Pearson but also creates her own scoring opportunities and she is coming off a strong second semi performance, as is Millicent’s goal attack Lindy Van Eeden, who stepped up in the crucial overtime period of the semi final.


So hard to call, but the Saints, with a touch more versatility in their line-up, could well win another nail biter.



15 & UNDER B – MILLICENT V SOUTH GAMBIER


Millicent secured a comfortable 14 goal win the 15 & Under B second semi final, making it three wins on the bounce against the Demons, but it was a last quarter blow out that saw the convincing scoreline and having survived a tight preliminary final, South is a little more battle hardened and ready for the contest.


Kaia Green was an issue for the Demons in that semi final with her strong positioning and accurate finishing, including the perfect 12 straight in the dominant last quarter.


Given the Saints also have Kirra Madden and Lindy Van Eeden to take a shooting role, there is certainly good depth and options at that end of the court.


The Demons have similar choices though with joint league runner up best and fairest Harper Bowering anchoring the shooting circle, teaming with the smart moves of Ava Radley or Zara Harten.


The issue for the South frontline is Prudence Johnson – the 13 & Under league best and fairest – is just as damaging in this grade.


She loved the ball in the air and is just so good at running down interceptions and chasing loose balls and it will take patience from the young Demons to work the ball around the talented Saints defender.


The South defence is more about tight checking and denying time and space with Macie Bowering, Maya Clarke and Harten all winning the ball back time and time again in the preliminary final as East made its charge.


Lacey Sunderland and Lottie Matthews are smart mid courters for the Saints, with Olive Thoren adding depth to that area of the court, while South also has plenty of options with league best and fairest Ellie McCracken, Izzy Fielding, Tayah Fraser and Addy Green.


South will definitely take it right up to Millicent but the Saints will just get the job done.



13 & UNDER A – MILLICENT V PENOLA


After a tight opening quarter in the second semi final, Millicent put the foot down and got the better of Penola in 13 & Under A.


It was a 14 goal margin, with the win set up in the second and third quarters and the young Eagles showed they are nothing if not tenacious, bouncing back to draw the final quarter of that match.


It means a more consistent effort and reducing errors and Penola can certainly challenge the Saints.


Looking after the ball will be a key for Penola as they look to find a way through the tough Saints defence.


Olivia Hales is a tight checking defender who pressures the shot, while league best and fairest winner Prudence Johnson and Raven Johnson are just so good at hunting interceptions.


Penola goal attack Ruby Hackwill is coming off an outstanding preliminary final and she will need to bring that strength and leadership to the title decider.


Lola Tilby is a great foil for Hackwill, timing her leads to perfection, while Bonnie Skeer is coming off an outstanding preliminary final performance and Lilly Flint is such a consistent mid court performer.


The Saints’ mid court is also strong with Lottie Matthews and Lacey Sunderland leading the way, while in goals Kaia Green and Brydie Madden have great chemistry as a duo and both are accurate finishers.


That’s where league runner up best and fairest Sophie Pearce will come into her own and she will need to work hard over the shot, rebound those rare opportunities and look to snag a few interceptions.


Skye Wooding is a great defensive partner for Pearce, while Tilly Gibbs pressures the feed and Addison Wilson will hopefully add to the midfield depth if she can recover from a knee injury sustained at training heading into the preliminary final.


The Eagles, at their best for four quarters, are not without their chances but it looks like Millicent will start grand final day with a win.


13 & UNDER B – MILLICENT V EAST GAMBIER

It was a six goal margin when Millicent and East Gambier met in the second semi final and there is no reason to think the grand final will not also be close.

League best and fairest Kirra Madden looms large and denying her ball will be a key for the Bulldogs – that task falling to Sailor Byron and Ivy Levine.

East also has a strong goal attack as well, though, with Lily Taylor having enjoyed a strong season and definitely impacted in the finals series.

That means Isabelle Zalme and Zarla Thomson will need to be at their close checking best to deny Taylor too much ball.

The respective centres, Scarlett Dwyer (East) and Lia Joyce (Millicent), will be crucial in the final washup with both dominating this finals series.

In the end, it is about minimising errors and the team that can maintain composure will be the team that takes the flag and the season’s history suggests that will be the Saints.