Millicent v North Gambier
MCLAUGHLIN Park hosts the top-of-the-table clash between the reigning premiers and North Gambier and while the Tigers have been impressive over the first six rounds, Millicent still heads in as favourites.
The Tigers know what they need to do, it is just a matter of doing it – they have to slow the ball movement of Millicent and when they have ball in hand be patient and precise with delivery.
Ash Kalantarian looms as a critical player – her hands pressure at the weekend was a key ingredient in forcing East into error and she will need to try and do the same against the Saints.
Jordyn Adams and Maddie Whaites started to show some good understanding as a defensive combination at the weekend and they will need to work together to shut down time and space – no easy feat when you are trying to contain the scoring power of Demi Verbena and Donna Denton.
Amanda O’Shaughnessy will also be a key.
She was impressive last round, creating a number of defensive turnovers and driving hard in offence to delivery the ball with good accuracy to Caroline Davey.
Her battle with Madi Turner – who is looking comfortable in her new role in centre – will be one of the match ups that decides the final outcome.
The other match up is Hayley Dunn and Davey.
Davey shoots a lion’s share of the Tigers’ score but Dunn is certainly a good match for the tall shooter.
North would be buoyed by the performance of Ellie Gould at the weekend.
Her work rate was off the charts and she took more shots than usual and finished accurately.
She will need to keep Kimmi Varoce busy as the Millicent goal defence has been in rare form this season and her ability to create turnovers has been pivotal to the Saints’ early season success.
Hannah Nitschke has a big role to play as well with Kaitlin Egan having an influential second half at the weekend.
Nitschke has shown she is prepared to stick to the task and shut down opponents and showed good signs when she tackled Egan in the round two clash between the two sides.
The North-East clash last weekend was of a high standard and entertaining and this match will be no difference.
If Duldig returns to the court after resting her troublesome knee and Verbena and Denton are at their best the Saints will win and remain undefeated.
West Gambier v South Gambier
RESULTS last week make the clash between West Gambier and South Gambier loom as an intriguing contest in Round 7 of Western Border netball at Malseed Park.
The Roos struggled to shake off the Cats, while South was impressive in its loss to Millicent.
With three key Roos fighting niggling injury – Lisa McGregor, Amy Cram and Jess Bell – the time is ripe for the Demons to pounce.
Whoever takes the points, it will take a consistent four-quarter performance.
The Demons will need to be patient in attack to ensure they can make the most of spearhead Tilah Buckingham.
Since returning in Round 5, Buckingham has been impressive, freeing Imogen Walker into the mid court and giving the South forward line better balance.
But Amy Cram and Maddy Teakle are smart defenders, expert at shutting down space and South will need to be careful with ball in hand.
At the other end, it will be all about denying Carlee Davey and Bell easy access to the circle’s edge and if Zoe Duncan takes the goal defence bib she will need to work hard to limit the influence of Lisa McGregor – the Roos goaler and coach is having another stellar season.
South’s goal attack Georgia Hood will need to keep Cram occupied and if Hood is on song and hitting her trademark long range shots it will also open up opportunities for Buckingham, with the Roos forced to work one-on-one.
Accuracy will also be key, especially for the Demons, as Teakle and Cram not only work hard over the shot but they are rarely out-rebounded.
If West brings the game it brought against East Gambier it will take the points and it would be safe to assume McGregor has put it on her team mates to rebound from last week’s lacklustre performance to stamp its authority as a title contender.
But you cannot discount South in its current form – if they can keep the scoreboard tight they will be in the hunt when the whips are cracking.
Casterton Sandford v East Gambier
CASTERTON Sandford will enter the clash with East Gambier this weekend full of confidence after coming within a whisker of upsetting West Gambier in Round 6 of Western Border netball last weekend.
The issue for the Cats will be, East Gambier will look to bounce back from consecutive losses and will come out hard.
There are some key battles in the – match which is being played at Island Park – and none more so than Tenille Gray and Abbey Shannon.
Shannon has been playing mainly back under the post this year and has been in outstanding form but you would suspect she would take Gray in this clash because she is a better physical match up for the dangerous Bulldog goaler.
Gray is coming off an outstanding first half at the weekend and a strong final quarter and, in combination with Sarah Lock, continues to be one of the most accurate shooting combinations in the competition.
Sara Smith is improving every week as her confidence grows and her strong driving to the circle and ability to pinpoint Gray and Lock in space has been impressive, while Tarsh McCallum continues to lead from the front for East with her hard running both ends of the court.
She will be matched with Madalene Cleary, who has really taken to her new role in the middle for the Cats.
Last weekend East defenders Morgan Amy and Bo Creek had their hands full with the height of Caroline Davey last week but it is a whole new ball game this weekend, with the fast moves and good timing of Renae Newell and Tori Perry.
However, the duo will need to finish accurately as Amy and Creek are rarely out-rebounded and the Cats through mid courters Gaby Tomkins and Cleary will need to be patient with their delivery and try and avoid the air, where both Amy and Creek are so strong.
Ensuring their delivery is under pressure, Tyne Bosko will need to put good hands pressure over the ball and also deny Tomkins easy access to the circle’s edge.
The Bulldogs should win but it will take their best to ensure the Cats remain winless.
