CASTERTON SANDFORD V MILLICENT
The Cats hosted the Saints at the weekend and started with another new look – partly to try some new combinations and partly to cover injury and player unavailability.
It was a new look defensive combination with Meg Smith taking on the unenviable task of trying to limit the influence of Tabatha Sanderson, with Madalene Cleary out the front to take on playmaker Demi Verbena.
It turned out to be a tough outing for the experienced hard working duo as Millicent put on a clinic in every area of the court ensuring they had a lion’s share of possession and were able to carve their way through the court to score a stunning 94 goals.
Young Saints defenders Portia McRae and Lauren Van Eeden were able to make life tough for the new look shooting combination of coach Dani Russell and Chelsey Galpin, with Chloe Foster moving to the attacking wing and Madeline Patton taking the centre bib.
The pressure applied by Lisa Duldig and Lillie Paul on the Cats feeders was relentless and helped McRae and Van Eeden create the turnover ball and then with ball in hand, Millicent moved the ball with speed and precision through Paul and Daisy Tunkin to find their shooters in space.
The Millicent shooters netted those 94 goals from 114 opportunities.
The Cats just had no answers to the polished Saints and in the first three quarters were only able to generate 22 scoring opportunities although the last quarter with Ivy Lane and Galpin in the shooting circle, they netted a perfect 10 from 10 as a combination, doubling the output from the previous three quarters.
Patton was also a shining light with her hard running in centre and willingness to keep presenting as an option for her under pressure team mates, while Cleary also battled hard to stem the flow, while also helping bring the ball through the mid court.
EAST GAMBIER V NORTH GAMBIER
It started as an arm wrestle when East Gambier hosted North Gambier at the weekend and for the most part it was an even contest, with the exception of a stunning second quarter where the Tigers won the quarter 15-4 to set up what turned out to be a 23 goal victory.
Leading by only two at the first break, the Tigers clearly regrouped at the quarter time huddle, to just sharpen up some of their errors with ball in hand and inaccuracy in the shooting circle.
The first quarter was the first in A Grade for young Bulldogs goaler Ambah Beveridge and she showed great composure to net six from eight, making the most of the opportunity an ankle injury to Casey Horrigan the previous week had provided.
The connection between Brianna Walters, Mel Renko and the North shooting combination of Grace Potts and Macey Griffith was on song in the second and the Tigers goalers rewarded their team, converting 15 from 16 to set up that impressive 13 goal half time buffer.
After struggling to score in the second, East added Sarah Allen to the mix in the shooting circle, to play alongside Beveridge, and while she did not miss an attempt, the issue for the Bulldogs was supply so while they stayed in touch with the Tigers in the second half, North was able to slightly extend its lead.
Beveridge finished the game as she started – with confidence – netting nine from 11, as she showed she can make her mark in the top grade, while new recruit Eliza Cole was solid on the defensive wing, getting some important touches as well as providing good drive through the mid court.
Renko and Walters were best for the Tigers, while Potts was again a strong target and Griffith continues to up her output as a scoring option.
WEST GAMBIER V SOUTH GAMBIER
After a tight opening quarter where South Gambier was able to match it with the reigning premiers, the Roos started to take control, forcing the young Demons into enough errors to work their way to a 26 goal victory.
Missing star shooter Sarah Ritter, who rolled her ankle during the week at training, West called on Tahlia Earl and she did not disappoint with her strength on the hold and accurate finishing.
Having played many seasons alongside Lisa McGregor, the makeshift combination did not miss a beat, despite some good pressure from Demons defenders Mykaela Thiele and Ellie Bouchier, with McGregor upping her output on the scoreboard as well in a best on court performance.
The battle through the middle between Tara Bryant and Sophie Wight was one for the ages as both used their speed and athleticism to great effect and both were key feeder for their respective sides.
In the end it was a game of supply with West generating 94 scoring opportunities to South’s 63, and while the shooting combination of Gracie Dalton and Alyssa Duncan continued to show promise, there is still some work to do in terms of connection with the mid court and ensuring they can generate more and easier scoring chances.
Of course when the likes of Zoe Malseed, Amy Cram and Jade Ritter are applying the relentless pressure for which the Roos are known, it was always going to be a tough ask.
