NORTH GAMBIER V WEST GAMBIER
Reigning premiers North Gambier have made a strong statement with a 27 goal demolition of fellow title contender West Gambier in Limestone Coast Football Netball League round nine action.
Mischa Human continues to be unstoppable in goal shooter and with the silver service delivery she receives from Bree Walters, Kaitlin Egan and Macey Griffith, means she gets a mountain of opportunities to impact the scoreboard
At the weekend, the teenage shooting sensation netted 69 from 77 as North powered to that 27 goal victory, as West just could neither stem the flow of scoring nor enjoy any seamless connection in their own frontline.
The margin was eight at quarter time, 17 at the half, 20 at three quarter time before the final whistle 83-56 scoreline.
Walters and Egan made a rare switch in the second quarter with Walters spending the remainder of the game in centre on the way to her best on court performance, with Egan taking the wing attack bib.
West tinkered with the defensive combination in the first half, switching Mikaela Horrigan and Amy Cram between the goal keeper and goal defender roles to try and shut down access to Human, but it was to no avail as they returned to their traditional roles in the second half.
Cram certainly battled hard to try and create pressure and won her share of turnover ball, while Tara Bryant also played her role, running hard in what was a stunning battle with Walters.
In the end it was a story of supply with West just too often coughing up possession well before it reached the shooting circle, with Walters, Mel Renko, Noni McConnell and Stella Mobbs working together to not allow slick ball movement or any easy possession.
North created 93 scoring opportunities, while West could only manage 67 and were it not for the accurate finishing of Sarah Ritter and Lisa McGregor, the scoreline could well have been far worse, Ritter converting 39 from 47 and McGregor 17 from 20.
The Tigers are sitting pretty on top, undefeated, and given the last time these two sides met it was only a one goal margin, the weekend’s performance is certainly ominous for the other 2025 contenders.
CASTERTON SANDFORD V MILLICENT
Casterton Sandford welcomed Chloe Finnigan back to add some grit and toughness to their defensive line but despite the Saints missing Tabatha Sanderson and Edie Easterby, Millicent still powered to a comfortable 33 goal victory.
Millicent, of course, have good depth and for the second time this season used Annalise Janssen to fill in for Sanderson, meaning there was still a tall, accurate shooter at the post, while defensively, Lauren Van Eeden and Nikeisha Facey made a formidable combination even without Easterby’s star power.
The Cats’ cause was not helped by the absence of Danielle Tooley, leading to a young shooting combination of Brydie Carlin, taking to the court as a goaler for the first time in A Grade, alongside Chelsea Hulm.
The margin was 10 at quarter time and 20 at the half before a strong third quarter from the home side, on the back of eight from nine from Carlin, saw the margin only extended by six entering the final quarter, before the 70-37 final scoreline.
Lillie Paul continued her outstanding season with a hard running four quarters in centre for Millicent, dominating the feeding duties and also applying pressure to the Cats feeders.
Her battle with Madalene Cleary was one of the highlights of the contest as both did a mountain of work in transition.
