NORTH GAMBIER V EAST GAMBIER
Reigning premiers North Gambier will kickstart their title defence under lights as the Tigers and East Gambier take to the court on Friday night.
The stability of the titleholders against the slightly revamped East Gambier line-up only adds to the Tigers’ favouritism for this clash.
The highlight of the clash will be the battle in the middle with premiership winning coach and best on court Kaitlin Egan going head-to-head with East Gambier coach and star Emily Neave – neither will take a backward step and both are the on court, spiritual leaders of their respective line-ups.
Morgan Amy has a job and a half as the East wing defender looks to limit the influence of Brianna Walters, while Bo Creek has a similar tough task, ensuring Macey Griffith does not get off the leash.
And given both those North frontline stars are quality feeders to North goal shooter Mischa Human, limiting their possessions will be key.
Human was outstanding in the 2024 finals series and Sharna McKinnon will need to be at her tight-checking best to limit Human’s influence.
New Bulldogs face Karly McCrow will be tested early with her match up with Stella Mobbs, while Renee Henke will face the challenge of one of the competition’s tightest checking defenders, North’s Noni McConnell.
Casey Horrigan will also be tested in her return to the East mid court, when she takes on Mel Renko, who never makes life easy for any opponent.
North should easily get the job done as East looks to settle into a new line-up.
PENOLA V MILLICENT
Pitting Penola against Millicent in the opening round is not the kindest initiation for the LCFNL new club but it will give Eagles coach Sally Skeer a good first up impression of what Penola will need to do to be a force in the new league.
The battle of the day will be star Saints defender Edie Easterby taking on Penola’s young goal attack Teagan Lythgo as the future of the league is on full show.
The Easterby-Lauren VanEeden defensive combination will be a handful for the Penola frontline and the experience of Skeer in her critical feeding role will be important for the Eagles to find a way through that tough defensive line.
At the other end of the court, Maddy Teakle will be reacquainting herself with Tabatha Sanderson, the tall Saints goal shooter always tough close to the post, while the battle between Nikeisha Facey, who will no doubt take the goal attack bib, and Gorgia Robbie will be a match shaping contest.
Lisa Duldig looms large with her experience in the Millicent mid court, with Lillie Paul’s hard running and quality feeding always tough to counter for opposition teams and it is the depth of the Saints that will make life even tougher for the Eagles, with Bella Coghlan, Piper Paul and Georgia Clarke all more than capable of taking a role in the line-up.
CASTERTON SANDFORD V WEST GAMBIER
The Cats might be on their home court but it is a tough season opener, given West Gambier will be looking to make a statement early in their quest to get their name engraved on the LCFNL silverware.
Given the Roos line-up has only seen one change – Anna Bosko in for the retired Jess Holmes – it is tough to see how Casterton Sandford can cause an upset.
Holly Smith will be charged with containing reigning A Grade best and fairest Sarah Ritter, while Chloe Finnigan has just as tough a task with playmaker Lisa McGregor her opponent.
West loses nothing with Bosko on the attacking wing and the battle between Cats playing coach Madalene Cleary and the hard running Tara Bryant will be match shaping, with both players not only dominating in offence but also strong defensive players.
The unveiling of new goal shooter Danielle Tooley will be highly anticipated and her battle with Roos goal keeper Mikaela Horrigan will be fascinating and just how Tooley combines with the hard working Chelsea Hulm, who will need to shake off the tight checking Amy Cram, will be a key to the final result.
One of the battles of the day will be between two of the fastest, most tenacious players in the competition – West wing defender Chelsea Tremelling and Cats rising star Indi Longhurst.
There is no real way to mount a case for a Cats victory with West hotly favoured to win but what the Cats will be looking for is a reduced margin as they build across the 2025 season.
SOUTH GAMBIER – BYE
