SOUTH GAMBIER V WEST GAMBIER


It was a story of supply and accuracy when West Gambier took on South Gambier at Blue Lake Sports Park at the weekend.

The Demons matched the Roos early in the opening quarter, with Ellie Bouchier and Mykaela Thiele pressuring the West frontline into some uncharacteristic errors but the equal share of possession did not translate onto the scoreboard.

In contrast, Sarah Ritter was perfect with her conversion, netting 12 straight, and ensuring that West enjoyed a nine goal lead despite the run of play being a lot closer than the scoreboard reflected.

The second quarter followed a similar script with Ritter and Lisa McGregor, who did not register a miss, converting 18 from 20, while Megan Reid settled in the South shooting circle and netted seven without a miss.

South made some changes at the main break with Gracie Dalton entering the clash at goal shooter and Ellie Bouchier, who was under an illness cloud, moved back to goal keeper with Mykaela Thiele moving out front in the defensive combination.

Teresa Humphris was moved to centre and Tully McShane went to the attacking wing as coach Brandi Bouchier looked to find a frontline that could find a way through the Roos defence,

The issue for South, though, was that relentless defensive pressure of the Roos with Amy Cram and Chelsea Tremelling dominating across the defensive transverse line, forcing the Demons frontline into errors time and time again, while Mikaela Horrigan was able to mop up anything that came in long and in the air.

Cram racked up the interceptions across the contest and then Tara Bryant dominated as a link player to find McGregor and Ritter in space.

Bouchier had a great battle with Ritter before moving to the bench in the final quarter but even when Ritter had slightly less supply, McGregor just stepped up, netting nine from 11 in the third quarter as the Roos continued to build their lead.

West dominated the final stanza as Cram continued to create turnovers and access to Ritter opened up as she had her most productive quarter of the game with 15 goals.

It was another complete performance from the Roos, dominating in attack and defence, while Reid’s work at goal attack and Thiele’s efforts to try and quell Ritter saw them named best for the home side.

NORTH GAMBIER V CASTERTON SANDFORD


The Cats did not come away with the win at the weekend but they continue to challenge the top sides and North Gambier had to work hard to secure the 12 goal victory.

It was three goals at quarter time and the same margin at the half before North stepped it up a gear in the third, courtesy of some key positional changes.

This was the quarter where the damage was done as the Tigers set up that 12 goal lead before the final quarter was again an even tussle, 12-12.

Mel Renko moved into the defensive circle at goal defence alongside Stella Mobbs in the game changing 15 minutes in the third quarter, while Macey Griffith and Mischa Human, who had entered the game during the second quarter, started to connect with fluency.

Ava Collins also had an influence on the improved defensive effort from the Tigers with her height at wing defence causing issues for the Cats feeders.

The scoreboard damage by the Tigers in the third was also helped by a perfect shooting performance from Griffith and Human who converted 19 from 19 to set up the win.

Cats coach Jodie Humphries did not sit back as the third quarter started to see the game slip away, moving Holly Smith to goal keeper to try and combat the height of Human and putting Caeleigh Humphries into the shooting role with Ebany Jarrad going back to wing defence to try and use her reach to disrupt the North feeders.

The damage was done, though, and North was able to survive its second scare of the season at the hands of the Cats.

Coach Kaitlin Egan was dominant in the mid court with her strong driving and ability to continually find the edge of the circle and her connection with Griffith and Human proved pivotal in the game shaping third quarter.

Renko was also a factor when she moved into the defensive circle, while Griffth continues to get the job done with her creative feeding, well timed moves and accurate finishing.

Smith had an impact for Casterton Sandford at both ends of the court, while Phoebe Carlin was a consistent performer on the attacking wing, also having an impact with some defensive touches.

EAST GAMBIER V MILLICENT


Millicent headed to McDonald Park at the weekend, welcoming back star goaler Demi Verbena for her first game of 2024.

The day was all about 300-gamer Morgan Amy, who has been a consistent and reliable defender for the Bulldogs, but the Saints were desperate to spoil the party.

The Saints certainly generated more scoring opportunities in the first quarter and led by three at the first change – the accuracy of Malinda Foster and Renee Henke ensuring the Bulldogs stayed in touch.

Milicent started to assert its authority in the second with Verbena combining with Nikeisha Facey for 15 from 16, while the defensive efforts of Portia McRae, Lauren Van Eeden and Edie Easterby stepped up as well to make it harder for the Bulldogs to find a way to their shooters.

It was 10 goals at the half and the Bulldogs made some subtle changes to their line up, moving Casey Horrigan into goals, Tegan Nunan into centre and Henke onto the attacking wing, while Millicent ended up moving Verbena back to goal shooter and Easterby into the goal attack role.

The third was an arm wrestle as both sides adapted to the changes.

Defensive pressure was the story of the quarter and it was reflected in the accuracy of the shooters with East managing to pull back two goals as they went into the last.

The Saints again stepped it up in the last and allowed the home side only six goals, while they extended their lead to a final whistle 13 goal victory.

Amy was a standout for the Bulldogs in her milestone game, while Foster continues to be so reliable in the shooting circle.

Lisa Duldig and Easterby were best for the Saints.