Millicent v South Gambier

There is no reason to think Millicent will not be the competition pacesetters of the 2022 Bendigo Bank Western Border Netball Association season.

While they have lost the quality of Lucy Denton in the mid court and the ability to utilise Sophie Ellis, who was a great swing player when required, the Saints still have quality in every area of the court.

Tabatha Sanderson will dominate under the post, while the smarts of Demi Verbena will see her not only feed her shooting partner with precision but also her accuracy from long range and ability to create space.

Their task will be made easier by the retirement of Brandi Bouchier and the fact South’s other key defender Ellie Bouchier will also be missing in round one.

The makeshift South defensive line will also be challenged by the speed of ball from the Saints mid court featuring Paige Nitschke and Lisa Duldig and so much will fall to some of the new faces in the Demons mid court, including Megan Reid and Tully McShane to put as much pressure on the feed as possible.

At the other end of the court, Millicent has a strong defensive group with Hannah Nitschke, Portia McRae and the returning Kimmi Tincknell.

All three are tight checking defenders who also happily leave their opponent to find intercept ball elsewhere on the court and South will need to work the ball with patience into the shooting circle.

Lara Munro had a great breakout season in 2021 and will be looking to build on that in the shooting circle for the Demons, while Alyssa Duncan will be a key at the attacking end of the court, whether shooting or feeding.

Grace Edwards returns and her ability to swing either end will be critical all season but especially in this clash with key South personnel missing.

It is hard to see anything but a Saints victory but the Demons will be looking to compete every step of the way as they look to develop and build across the season.

East Gambier v North Gambier

Easily the match of the round as the reigning premiers take on the side that has probably suffered the most off season player losses in the competition.

The Bulldogs are entering their premiership defence without two of their 2021 premiership stars – Tenille Gray and Lisa Fyfe – but co-coaches Emily Hunter and Bo Creek have been helped by the returns of Sarah Lock and Morgan Amy to the club.

It is certainly no mean feat to try and fill the considerable hole left by Gray and Fyfe, who are both association best and fairest winners but having those roles filled by experienced campaigners who are no stranger to McDonald Park will certainly help what could have been a difficult transition.

Premiership players Amryn Bosko, Tarsh McCallum, Tyne Bosko, Hunter and Creek will be the backbone of this team and given they are a more settled line-up than the new look Tigers, they should start their title defence with a win.

North still has Caroline Wakefield (Davey) under the post and any team with a target that strong and a shooter that accurate will always be in the hunt.

Mel Renko is always a key to the Tigers’ fortunes and her leadership will be even more important in 2022, whether she patrols the mid court or heads back to the defensive circle, while Brianna Walters will also be critical with her class and composure in the mid court.

A Reserve premiership coach from last season Amanda O’Shaughnessy has taken on the top-grade coaching role for 2022 and she will also be critical on court with her leadership and versatility.

No doubt, with so many new faces, which also includes players the quality of Alycia Pitson (Close), it will take the Tigers some time to finetune their own court chemistry so the more settled look of the Bulldogs should get them over the line.

West Gambier

v Casterton Sandford

West Gambier continues to challenge every season and with only one significant player loss – hard working wing defender Nikiesha Facey – they are one of the most settled line-ups at the start of the 2022 season.

With SA State representative Sarah Ritter and Lisa McGregor in goals and Amy Cram and Jade Ritter creating a strong defensive combination at the other end of the court, West has each end of the court well and truly covered.

The mid court is also full of quality and speed with Tara Bryant and Carlee Ransom and the Roo’s have a wealth of young talent that will also challenge for an on-court role, including Claire Hunter, Zoe Malseed and Mikaela Horrigan, giving West arguably the deepest playing list in 2022, with the exception perhaps, of Millicent.

Much like East Gambier, Casterton Sandford has some returning faces to their line-up as first time A Grade coach Jodie Humphries looks to blend the youth and experience at her disposal into a competitive unit.

Madelene Cleary returns from an ACL injury and will add strength to either end of the court, while Gaby Tomkins, a hard running, tenacious mid courter, returns from having a baby and she will be a welcome addition alongside the ever-reliable Scarlett Jarrad.

Young defender Claire Foster will be even better with a year of A Grade netball under her belt and Ebany Jarrad will no doubt earn her opportunities as well after a strong 2021 debut season when she made the most of her call ups.

Caeleigh Humphries brings athleticism to her role in the defensive circle and she might even be able to translate those skills to the mid court, with the Cats also looking to unveil some brand new faces.

The Roos certainly start favourite, given how similar the line-up is to their 2021 team but the Cats will be a watch as the season progresses and the new look A Grade line-up can start to gel as a combination.