A GRADE
Millicent is not used to playing in first semi finals but they knew a good start was crucial and that was exactly what they got as they applied relentless defensive pressure to all but put the match to bed with a 17-7 opening quarter.
Using a mixture of zone and one-on-one defence, the Saints created turnover after turnover in the opening quarter and forced East into uncharacteristic errors time and time again.
Portia McRae and Edie Easterby dominated the air and the Saints’ transition was pinpoint and with plenty of speed on the ball.
In her first A Grade final as a shooter Nikeisha Facey showed great composure, positioning well and getting good supply from Demi Verbena and the Saints mid court.
Facey netted 12 from 14, rewarding the defensive efforts of her teammates.
East certainly upped the ante in the second, applying much better defensive pressure of their own but the Saints defence did not let up so both sides suffered from a lack of supply in what was a low scoring quarter, the Saints winning it 9-7, to take a 12 goal lead into the half.
The second half was pretty much one way traffic for the Saints and were it not for the trademark accuracy of both Malinda Foster and Renee Henke, making the most of limited opportunities, the scoreboard would have been less flattering.
Foster, in fact, netted 20 straight in the final three quarters.
Lillie Paul, Daisy Tunkin and Lisa Duldig dominated the mid court and moved the ball with precision, as well as playing a vital role in the Saint’ defensive efforts.
Lauren Van Eeden was injected into wing defence in the second half and the ball rarely made its way past her and Easterby, who was best on court, collecting a number of critical interceptions and deflections.
Verbena and Facey are looming as a dangerous scoring combination as they sit and wait to see who their preliminary final opponent will be.
Bo Creek and Foster were best for East.
A RESERVE
South have advanced into the A Reserve preliminary final after a dominant last quarter to defeat West Gambier by 10 goals.
Both sides started nervously with so many young faces on the court. It was West’s defensive pressure early that saw them gain vital touches and Zoe Malseed’s transition into attack a highlight as she found GA Gracie Peterson under the post. South’s Jordy Bell applied tight pressure on West’s Imogen McGregor, however, West were able to shoot more accurately to hold a two goal quarter time lead.
South made changes at the first break with Chelsea Ryan entering the match at WD and West remained unchanged. Peterson continued to be the dominant goalie and connected well with WA Carlee Ransom to set up scoring opportunities. South’s midcourt tried to stop the drive of West, however, they were too quick and made the most of their scoring opportunities. Late in the quarter West’s Imogen McGregor left the court with what looked like a serious knee injury. West shuffled their lineup and went into the main break with a five goal lead.
The third quarter was a more even affair as South capitalised on West’s errors. Aleisha Pearson took the GS role as McGregor’s injury prevented her from re-entering the match. Ruby Richter stepped up her work rate and Muller continued to run hard through the midcourt. West made unforced errors with a new attacking combination and at the end of the quarter you could feel South making a charge, going into the break just three goals behind.
The final quarter was dominated by South all over the court as they grew in confidence with each attacking play. West rallied hard and kept trying but their bad injury run was too much for them in the end and South Gambier were able to secure the win by 10 goals.
South Gambier have had a late charge at the end of the season and will go into the preliminary final in two weeks’ time full of confidence. They won 51-41 with Ruby Richter and Jordy Bell being best for South and West were best served by Zoe Malseed and Gracie Peterson.
B GRADE
North Gambier have advanced into the B Grade preIiminary final after defeating East Gambier by 14 goals in what was a highly skilled contest.
In perfect playing conditions North started strongly making the most of their scoring opportunities as GS Ava Norman shot at 100% accuracy and was well supported by Ali Anderson. East were patient with their entry into the goal circle, however struggled with accuracy.
The second quarter remained the same as the midcourt battles continued to be a highlight. North’s Jordyn Lovino and East’s Jarrah Altschwager worked hard for their sides, driving hard and creating opportunities. East’s inaccuracy in goals proved costly as they had as many opportunities, but could not apply scoreboard pressure. North held a 12-goal match winning lead at the main break.
Both sides made changes at half time with North bringing on WD Aleisha Hunter and East making changes throughout the court to try and pull back the scoreline. Lovino continued to run hard using her speed and teamed well with Hunter across the defensive centre. Davis continued to work hard for East but North increased their lead to be 17 goals up at the final change.
The last quarter was East’s best as they fought back and Alysia Geraghty stepped up her work rate to limit the opportunities of Norman and help transition the ball into attack. East were able to outscore North in the last quarter but the damage was done early and North took the match by 14 goals to advance into the preliminary final.
C GRADE
It was always going to be a tough contest and despite East Gambier starting as favourites, a determined Millicent were always going to put up a strong fight.
Millicent started strongly through the composure of Keelie Linder as she dominated the scoreboard early, finishing with 8/9 for the quarter. While she was a strong target it was the work out front from Kate Patten and Tayla Werchon that helped to set up the four goal quarter-time lead.
Millicent defenders Ella Wesolowski and Tayla Kingham stepped up their defensive efforts as they shut down the space of their opponents and forced a tactical change. Daniela Waters entered at GS and used her smarts and experience to score and settle her side. The Saints had more opportunities and with Maya Tarrant finding her range they increased their lead to eight at half time.
East made three changes at the main break, while Millicent made just the one with Jade White entering the match at WD. The match went for goal for goal with East’s GA Megan Wilson finding her range under the post. Millicent continued to work as a team and Werchon controlled the midcourt to increase their lead by one goal.
The final quarter was error-ridden as both teams stepped up their intensity. In a low scoring affair, it was East who were able to outscore the Saints, however the damage was done and in a great team effort the Saints took the win 40-32.
17 & UNDER
West Gambier certainly had the better of the start in the 17 & Under knockout semi final but the Demons fought back late in the first quarter, setting up what loomed as a tight battle.
Macey Pearson and Mikayla Pearson were turning over the ball with monotonous regularity early in the match and the connection to shooters Lucy Simpson and Miley Vivian was seamless. However late in the quarter Shana Grassi and Kyla Gordon created turnover ball of their own and West saw their lead whittled down to two goals at the first break.
It was the second quarter that really broke the game open as Gordon and Grassi continued to dominate, shutting access to the West goal circle and giving their team plenty of scoring opportunities.
Sienna Bartlett entered the game for South at goal shooter and had an immediate impact, shooting 11 of her team’s 15 second quarter goals as they turned a two goal deficit into a seven goal lead.
The Demons consolidated their dominant second quarter with a strong third quarter, extending their lead to 10 at the final change and while West lifted in the final quarter, it was not enough to make an impact on the deficit and South advanced to the preliminary final with an 11 goal win.
Tully Lindner ran hard all day in centre for the Roos and her battle with Ella Jolley was one of the best of the day, while Macey Pearson did her best to keep West in the game with some critical touches and strong work over the shot, resulting in some strong rebounds.
Gracie Dalton, who was missing in the round 16 clash between the same two sides, was clearly best on court and dominated South’s attacking play and finishing with good accuracy, while Grassi and Gordon set up the victory with their relentless defensive pressure.
15 & UNDER A
The previous encounters between these two sides had been tight and the first few minutes were again tightly contested before West put their foot down and finished with a 21-goal win to book a spot in the preliminary final.
West’s goalies Sara Richards and Lara Murdoch started strongly with flawless attacking and 100% shooting accuracy. Swaye Lindner controlled the midcourt with her speeds and smarts. They were just as impressive in defence, smothering South with pressure all over the court and only allowing them to score three goals, going into the first change with a 12-goal lead.
Both sides remained unchanged at quarter time and South stepped up their defensive intensity. South’s GK Scarlett Ryan was able to get some important touches in defence. West’s Lara Murdoch continued to work hard and Claire Hunter had a great quarter, reading the ball and taking some timely intercepts. West extended their lead to 18 goals at the main change.
The third quarter started well with both teams scoring well before South started to find connections and GA Amber Ferrari scored more freely. At the other end, Halle Harvey matched Murdoch with her quick footwork and forced errors. West rallied hard and settled at the end of the quarter to extend their lead.
The last quarter was a more even affair with both sides scoring nine goals each and South finishing more accurately. Murdoch continued to be the dominant goalie on court and Lindner best through the middle to ensure that West finished with a strong win and advanced into the preliminary final at McLaughlin Park in a fortnight.
15 & UNDER B
Casterton Sandford are experienced finals players in the 15Bs competition, and they were determined to win from the first whistle, eventually running out comfortable winners, defeating East Gambier by 29 goals.
The Cats started strongly through Ylana Grigg as she used her height and strength to be a focal point in the goal circle, shooting 11 with only one miss. Mia Little battled hard and was well supported by Zarah Thami but the Cats were too quick through the midcourt with Makayla Rees using her speed. Casterton went into the first break with an eight goal lead.
East swung the changes at the break to try and find some attacking flow, however the Cats were able to match East’s speed and it was Grigg who once again dominated in the goal circle. Sailor McCracken moved into GD to try and match Grigg and she was able to get her hands to balls but the Cats were too slick in attack and kept the scoreboard ticking over.
It was the third quarter that East managed their best score for the day with eight, despite the constant pressure from the Cats’ GD Marlee Robbins. Robbins was able to get some good touches, and the Cats went into the last change in front by 21 goals.
The Cats finished how they started with an impressive last quarter and have sent warnings to other teams they know how to play finals. Adele Murphy played her best quarter for the day and with Sailor McCracken back in the centre for East she tried to lift her team but the damage was done and Casterton Sandford ran out winners 53-24.
13 & UNDER A
West Gambier were able to advance to the preliminary final after a comfortable 23 goal win against a developing East side.
Both teams started nervously and early turnovers saw the match go end for end without scoreboard damage. West started to find their attacking flow and with Eva Povey finding her range at the post and centre Ella McKenny controlling the midcourt, West led by 10 at the first break.
East settled through the good work of GS Isabelle Cook. She found her range and combined well with centre Sailor McCracken whose speed was a highlight in the midcourt. Her battle in the centre with McKenny was intense. Tight defensive pressure from both sides ensured low scoring.
Changes were made at the main break and West continued to control the mid-court. East’s Izabella Neilson battled hard in attack to set up more opportunities, however, West were able to extend their lead by 18.
The final quarter was evenly contested with more players rotated by both sides. West moved Cook to GA and her battle with Savannah Riddoch was a tight contest. However, West was able to control the ball in their attacking third and won by 23 goals.
13 & UNDER B
It was always going to be a tough contest for East Gambier as Millicent started as favourites, however a determined East Gambier were not going down without a fight.
Millicent started well with GS Kirra Madden dominating in the goal circle scoring nine goals and Raven Johnson creating the play from the attacking wing.
East’s Lara Bowyer battled hard to create opportunities but the Saints’ Olivia Hales caused turnovers with her tight defensive pressure. The Saints led by seven at the first change.
The Saints continued to apply pressure to the young East side who found it hard to transition the ball through the centre and this allowed limited scoring opportunities for East. The Saints continued to dominate and were 15 in front at halftime.
East upped their intensity in the third quarter to match the Saints. The game went goal for goal and the scoreline remained at 15 at the final break.
The last quarter was dominated by the Saints with Kirra Madden shooting nine for the quarter with high accuracy and Johnson dominating in the midcourt. The Saints ran out comfortable 21 goal winners to enter the preliminary final on their home courts.
