EAST GAMBIER v MILLICENT
EAST Gambier had a tough first-round loss to West Gambier and things do not get any easier in round two of Western Border netball as they take on the reigning premiers.
Millicent always seems to start the season looking more polished than any opposition club and with the Bulldogs still looking to find a new combination after losing the services of Sarah Lock and
Bo Creek, the Saints would start strong favourites in this clash.
Lisa Duldig rested her knee for the opening round, but should be right to hit the court after having the Easter weekend off as well.
Her clash with Tarsh McCallum will be one of the highlights of the match.
The problem for East is its defensive end, which will be anchored by newly appointed co-coach Morgan Amy.
It is still a work in progress as Tyne Bosko, Jacinta Clark and Sharna McKinnon all look to play a role.
Developing that chemistry will take time and considering they will face the premiership-winning attack line of Donna Denton, Demi Verbena, Paige Nitschke and Duldig, or Lucy Denton, if Duldig
chooses to extend her recovery time, this weekend will not afford them the opportunity to settle.
That attack line still uses speed of ball to cut a swathe through opposition defensive set ups and it is hard to see the inexperienced Bulldogs line-up being able to create enough turnover ball.
At the other end, the Saints defenders come off a strong round-one result which saw them hold North Gambier to only 24 goals.
Hayley Dunn and Madi Haggett already look comfortable in the defensive circle, with Hannah Nitschke getting the job done on the defensive wing.
No doubt, the East forward line, in particular, would have learned from its round one outing and any attack line with McCallum and Tenille Gray is always going to be dangerous.
Brittany Ross will be better for her first outing in the Western Border competition, although Dunn presents a huge challenge, while Sara Smith made great strides in 2018 and will no doubt step it up a gear this weekend.
Millicent will take the points, but East will look for a more consistent four-quarter performance and cut down on errors.
CASTERTON SANDFORD v WEST GAMBIER
WEST Gambier heads to Island Park to face Casterton Sandford without coach Lisa McGregor for its Western Border netball round-two clash tomorrow.
That certainly means the Cats, who suffered a disappointing 10-goal loss to South Gambier in round one, will enter the match with increased confidence.
The form of Tahlia Earl in round one shows the young shooter has had a good pre-season and her ability on the hold and her accurate finishing made her a damaging player in the Roos round-one victory.
McGregor’s absence will give rising star Sarah Ritter a chance to show what she can do in senior company and the tall goaler will stretch the Cats’ defenders.
That means Sharna Fidler and Madalene Cleary will need to use their smarts to deny the tall shooting combination easy ball, while Marlee Gartlan will be a key with her willingness to contest and her strong work over the shot.
Arguably the bigger challenge for the Cats will be to find a way through the relentless West defence, with Maddy Teakle and Amy Cram getting the better of the East Gambier shooting combination in round one.
The duo had a superb 2018 and have picked up where they left off and will look to make life tough for Cats’ goalers Christine Harris and Tori Perry.
The Cats always play a patient offence, with the smarts of Haylee Rhook and hard running of Gaby Tomkins.
They will need to show great patience and keep the ball out of the air if they are to find a way to score enough against Teakle and Cram.
One of the key battles will be the tight checking Cats wing defender Scarlett Jarrad on West wing attack Carlee Ransom (Davey).
Whoever gets the better of that duel will go a long way to decide the final outcome, especially given Ransom will need to be the general in the attacking third in the absence of McGregor.
In the end, the Roos will be desperate to secure the points despite missing their star coach, while Teakle and Cram will turn over enough ball to ensure they get the better of the scoreboard.
