South Gambier v Millicent

South Gambier put in a much improved showing in its round six clash with North Gambier but it does not get any easier as the Demons host Millicent this weekend.

The Saints may well be without mid courter Lillie Paul, after she suffered an ankle injury last weekend, but with Lisa Duldig running through the mid court, Daisy Tunkin taking the attacking wing and plenty of junior talent waiting in the gins for their chance at A Grade action, Millicent’s depth will help them cover the hard running Paul.

With Sophie Wight back on court for the Demons this weekend, Ellie Bouchier could again find herself back at keeper to try and combat the height of Tabatha Sanderson after the star defender got the job on Grace Potts last weekend.

The defensive work of Megan Reid and Tully McShane on the Saints feeders will also be critical in limiting the scoring opportunities for Sanderson, who also receives plenty of good ball from Demi Verbena.

The clash between South shooter Gracie Dalton and Millicent defender Portia McRae will be pivotal, while Alyssa Duncan and Lauren VanEeden will go toe to toe, just as they have the majority of their junior careers.

For South it will be about an improved scoreboard performance but the Saints should take the win.

East Gambier v Casterton Sandford

Not only are both East Gambier and Casterton Sandford trying to fine-tune new look line-ups in 2023, they have both been hit by injury and player unavailability and found it tough to settle into a combination.

Both sides do seem to have settled on a combination at either end of the court with the Bulldogs shooting combination of Renee Henke and Casey Horrigan testing defenders with their strong drives and quick movement in the circle and their match up with Ebany Jarrad and Caeleigh Humphries will be pivotal in the final outcome with Jarrad and Humphries both quick on their feet as well as being strong in the air.

At the other end, Ivy Lane and Chelsey Galpin are building their chemistry and scoring power and they will need to be at their best against the more experiences defensive line for East of Bo Creek and Morgan Amy.

Accuracy will also be key as Creek and Amy will dominate the rebounding duels.

The mid courts have been where both sides have been playing around with line-ups but with Tarsh McCallum back to take her role at wing attack for East, along side the strength and tenacity of Chloe Perryman in centre and the Bulldogs have the distinct experience advantage.

Madeline Patton has been in good for in the Cats’ mid court, while the tight checking and hard running of Libby Altorfer will also be key in limiting the influence of McCallum and Perryman.

East should return to the winner’ list.

West Gambier v North Gambier

The Malseed Park clash between West Gambier and North Gambier looms as the match of the day, with the Roos coming off a strong win over Casterton Sandford and North overcoming a sluggish start to take the points over South.

Both teams have dominant goal shooters with Grace Potts dominating at the post for North and Sarah Ritter proving tough to combat from every range in what has been a stand out season thus far.

And while denying them the ball will be a team effort based around pressuring the feeders, much also falls on their respective opponents.

Mikaila Pitt will need to use her athleticism and ability to play the ball in the air and on the ground to try and limit supply to Ritter, while Jade Ritter will need to work overtime to try and force Potts further from the post than she prefers.

In the mid court Tara Bryant looms large as someone the Tigers will need to stop, whether that be through Brianna Walters or Mel Renko, while the respective goal attacks will also be key players given they are the main feeders to their dominant shooting partners.

West’s Lisa McGregor and North’s Macey Griffith both do a mountain of work outside the circle and deliver the ball with accuracy to Ritter and Potts respectively, so neither side can ill afford not to provide some close checking defence on these damaging players.

McGregor will match up on Noni McConnell, who thrives on the challenge of denying her opponent any time or space, while Amy Cram will use all her experience to unsettle Griffith.

The reigning premiers should remain undefeated but it looms as a tight contest for four quarters.