West Gambier v South Gambier
South Gambier did something they rarely do against West Gambier at the weekend – got off to a good start.
The Demons were only three goals down at quarter time after applying good defensive pressure and then backing it up with some patient ball movement to find their goalers in space.
Missing Ash Widdison, it saw Megan Reid head into the shooting circle and she opened the game with strong feeding and a perfect six from six as part of South’s improved performance.
West’s ball movement was not as seamless as usual but their accurate finishing ensured they still held sway at that first break.
West clearly was in no mood to be stuck in an arm wrestle with the bottom ranked Demons and they started to deliver plenty of long range balls into Sarah Ritter as the scoreboard started to tick over.
South did keep their own scoring on track with Gracie Dalton shooting a perfect 10 and while West started to pull away it was only a 10 goal deficit at half time.
That was where the challenge ended, though, as West started to score at will in the second half with very little resistance or pressure on their ball movement, while the scoring opportunities and accuracy was also diminished in the second half.
Amy Cram, Mikaela Horrigan and Chelsea Tremelling started to really influence the contest, continually repelling South’s approaches to the shooting circle and the South frontline had no answer to the increased defensive pressure and lacked the patience to work their way through the smothering defence.
Having scored 14 and 11 goals in the opening two quarters, they managed only 12 in the second half and with West scoring 40 of their own, it saw a competitive game descend into a one-sided demolition.
Lisa McGregor was again pivotal in delivering the ball into Ritter, while Tara Bryant and Jess Holmes were also supreme with ball in hand and Ritter did not let them down, 57 from 66 her return in another strong performance.
Tully McShane, Gracie Dalton and Ellie Bouchier were the most consistent performers for South.
Millicent v East Gambier
East Gambier did not make it easy for Millicent at the weekend, but the Saints did stay in the hunt for a top two finish with a 14-goal victory over the Bulldogs.
It was an arm wrestle in the opening quarter with both sides applying good defensive pressure, forcing the respective frontlines to be patient with ball in hand.
It was all tied up at the first break and it seemed to spark the Saints into action as they upped the ante at both ends of the court.
Not only did they increase the defensive pressure, forcing the Bulldogs into more errors with ball in hand, but they also started to better implement their trademark speed of ball as Lillie Paul, Daisy Tunkin and Demi Verbena started to find better connection out the front of Nikiesha Facey and both Facey and Verbena had strong shooting quarters.
It saw the lead sit at eight at half time and the Saints backed it up in the third quarter, netting 15 from 17 as they extended the lead to 14 at three quarter time.
East bounced back in the last quarter to hold the Saints to 9-all and as it has been all season, the accuracy of Malinda Foster and the tenacious defence of Bo Creek were the keys for East in staying in touch with a premiership contender.
Facey is really starting to build an impressive resume and improved level of confidence in her shooting role and she was strong on the hold, produced well timed moves and is finishing accurately, while Lisa Duldig continues to influence games from the defensive wing.
Casterton Sandford v North Gambier
North Gambier continued its march towards a top two finish and a finals campaign as a genuine premiership contender with a clinical victory over Casterton Sandford at Island Park at the weekend.
The Tigers won every quarter, sticking with their starting seven for the entire contest, while the Cats tried a few combinations in a bid to stop the Tigers’ momentum.
North led by seven at quarter time, 17 at the half and 22 at three quarter time before the Tigers really put the foot down in the final quarter to power to a 65-28 final scoreline.
It was a story of supply, with the Cats generating only 41 opportunities, while North enjoyed 74 and with both sides finishing with impressive accuracy, especially given it was the second week of less than ideal playing conditions, the margin reflected that gap.
North’s playing coach has had an outstanding season and since moving from the attacking wing to centre, the mid court looks as dominant as ever.
Egan provides toughness at both ends of the court, while Brianna Walters has the perfect speed and smarts to work in the tight spaces so often asked of wing attacks.
Mel Renko has been anchoring the defence since moving to goal defender to cover the injured Lauran Norman and her tight checking, ability to read the play and leadership has been invaluable for her young defensive partners in Stella Mobbs and Ava Collins and her hard work in transition is also pivotal.
Kelly Lockwood and Macey Griffith were again dynamic with their movement and connection and finished accurately.
Madalene Cleary continues to be the Cats’ best and she influenced the contest in all three positions she played during the contest – centre, goal attack and goal defence.
Chloe Finnigan was also a key contributor with her tight checking and some strong work in the air and Indi Longhurst continues to be a work horse in the mid court.
Cats coach Jodie Humphries did not die wondering as she looked to move the magnets to try and find a way to generate more possession and there is no doubt her versatile line-up tried to stem the flow but the Tigers were just too strong.
