A RESERVE – MILLICENT v WEST GAMBIER
MILLICENT’S A Reserve line-up has only lost one game for the season and that was to its second semi-final opponent West Gambier.
While the Saints finished clearly on top, the A Reserve competition was tightly contested and there were not many runaway victories for any of the top teams.
Clearly, Donna Denton looms large.
The multiple A Grade association best and fairest and premiership player, brings not just her talent but her leadership to the court.
She is the architect of everything which happens in the offensive third for Millicent.
West coach and goal keeper Racheal Langford will take on the task of limiting Denton.
She she has the smarts to try and curb Denton but will need her team mates further up the court to pressure the incoming ball.
Of course, it is not all about Donna Denton.
She has two more-than-capable shooting partners – daughter Abby Denton, who has beautiful vision and delivers the ball well and Rylee Kenny, who is back after a season away from the court, with her speed arguably her biggest weapon.
Maddie Milich will look to deny whoever her goal attack opponent is and the young defender has taken all before her in her first season of A Reserve netball.
Milich is tight checking and hard working and while she appears unassuming she is a fierce competitor.
She reads the play well, giving her the chance to pull in a number of interceptions.
With Ellie Xanthopolous also able to play a similar role in circle defence, the Roos are blessed with options.
At the other end of the court there is plenty of scoring power as well with the West shooting combination of Tahlia Earl, who has had a stellar season in her return to Malseed Park, and new recruit Gracie Peterson who has great timing on her moves and finishes accurately.
Add to that the talent of junior player Lucy Simpson and the Roos will not be worried about being able to hit the scoreboard.
Of course they will not have it all their own way with a group of talented Saints defenders ready and waiting to make life hard.
Alice Pratt is a tight-checking defender, Nikeisha Facey also denies time and space to her opponents, while Keeley Stuart and Edie Easterby bring the athleticism and willingness to hunt the interception.
The mid courts are well matched and both teams will look to get on top in that area to give their team the advantage and more scoring opportunities.
Millicent has Jackie Sunderland, who uses her speed and smarts to dominate, while Alana Craig is super reliable, drives hard and has a great defensive mindset when the ball needs to be won back.
West has Anna Bosco in the centre, who runs hard both ways, while captain Carlee Ransom has always had a knack for finding the circle’s edge and delivers accurately.
Chelsea Tremelling is the ultimate wing defender, while Charlotte Scott is equally prolific with her defensive and offensive mindsets.
Much will come down to which shooter – Denton or Earl – earns the most scoring opportunities, with the Saints to win in a tight one.
