South Gambier v West Gambier
South Gambier is coming off a solid win against Casterton Sandford, in a match where they ran a few different combinations, but now they host the reigning premiers and West Gambier is a very different prospect.
The Roos trademark has been starting quickly and putting the result beyond doubt in the first 15 minutes so South will need to be switched on from the start and try to limit any scoreboard damage.
Every team has the same mission when they take on the Roos – keep the ball out of Sarah Ritter’s hands – and that means putting pressure on the ball movement in transition.
If Tara Bryant is allowed to drive strongly and Lisa McGregor gets too much ball in hand, the task will be impossible for the Demons circle defenders.
The other challenge against West is being patience with ball in hand and finding a safe passage through the relentless pressure of the Roos defence.
Zoe Malseed is a tight checking mid court defender, while Amy Cram and Jade Ritter have developed a great synergy and create plenty of turnover ball for their team mates.
Their work over the shot is also impressive and they are rarely outrebounded.
South will need Alyssa Duncan to continue to lead the attacking end of the court, with teenager shooter Gracie Dalton looking to replicate her dominant opening quarter from last round across all four quarters.
Megan Reid has looked dangerous at wing attack and her speed onto the circle will be important, while Tully McShane will need to be at her tight checking best but also be a key link player when South is transitioning from defence to the attacking third.
Ellie Bouchier could get the job on McGregor or Ritter and she will need to switch on from the first whistle to dent her opponent any easy ball.
Ruby Richter and Sophie Wight are the wildcards for the Demons – both can play a mid court role or slot into the defensive circle and both are coming off strong performances.
West to win comfortably.
North Gambier v East Gambier
North Gambier will be looking to bounce back strongly when they host East Gambier after a final quarter fadeout saw them fall to a 15 goal loss to Millicent last round.
Last time the two met, North took the points with a 13 goal victory with Mel Renko and Brianna Walters dominating the mid court to lead the Tigers to the win.
East will need to put some time into those two experience campaigners and the good news is Eliza Cole is coming off a strong performance at wing defence for East and she will need to replicate that against Walters this weekend.
Cole, along with Chloe Perryman, who also has a strong defensive mindset, will need to work over time to pressure North’s feeders because you cannot expect Sharna McKinnon or Morgan Amy, whoever gets the role, to stop tall North shooter Grace Potts on their own if the ball is coming in cleanly.
Denying Tigers goal attack Macey Griffith too much ball is also critical as the teenage goaler has already formed a strong connection with her shooting partner and has been delivering the ball well.
One of the key matchups will be youngster Lauran Norman looking to shut down star East mid courter Tarsh McCallum.
Norman has the height advantage and aerial skills but McCallum has the speed and smarts and shutting her down will be critical to North’s game plan.
Last weekend Noni McConnell and Stella Mobbs had the challenge of the Saints shooting duo, including Tabatha Sanderson.
They face a much different challenge this weekend with the moving circle of Renee Henke and Casey Horrigan and the McConnell-Horrigan battle looms large, especially given how strongly Horrigan finished last weekend’s clash with West.
North should get the job done and return to the winner’s list.
Millicent v Casterton Sandford
Millicent dominated the Cats the last time the two met and in a bad sign for Casterton Sandford, the Saints have been posting even stronger results in the second round, including a comfortable win over South Gambier and another impressive win against North at the weekend – levelling the ledger with the Tigers in their head to head results.
There are just no weaknesses in the 2023 runners-up line-up with Tabatha Sanderson and Demi Verbena proving to be a prolific scoring duo; young mid courters Daisy Tunkin and Lillie Paul showing great composure with ball in hand and using their pace to great effect, Lisa Duldig applying untold pressure to opposition feeders and Lauren van Eeden and Portia McRae denying time and space to every shooting combination they face.
The Cats have their own rising talent with Madeline Patton arguably the surprise packet of the season as the teenager continues to make her mark in the Casterton Sandford mid court since being given the opportunity to lock down the centre role.
Ivy Lane is another bright spot with her well timed moves and accurate finishing in goals, while mainstays Madalene Cleary and Caeleigh Humphries continue to lead from the front – Cleary in all areas of the court and Humphries underpinning the defensive end.
Ebany Jarrad will have her hands full combating Sanderson but she thrives on such challenges and will contest every delivery to the Saints shooter.
The Cats would not be expecting to win but they would have set themselves to limit the Saints scoreline after giving up 94 goals the last time they met.
