NORTH GAMBIER v EAST GAMBIER
NORTH and East Gambier have provided some tough and physical spectacles over the past few seasons and tomorrow’s round three Western Border netball game at Vansittart Park should be no different.
On the basis of the opening two rounds, a defensive clash awaits, with both sides still ironing out wrinkles in transition and attack lines.
The Tigers’ defensive line is one of the competition’s best, with Maddie Whaites, Noni McConnell and reigning Shirley Underwood medallist Mel Renko for company.
The trio work well together making life tough for opposition forwards, which will only be enhanced if tenacious defender Amanda O’Shaughnessy returns to the centre position.
North is still tinkering with its attack end, but Olivia Patzel and Alisha Bryan appeared settled as a shooting duo on Anzac Day and Ash Kalantarian is a class feeder.
But the Tigers will have to be at their best with Bulldog Tenille Gray in hot form after a dominant display against Millicent.
East’s Brittany Ross has settled well into the shooter position, while Tarsh McCallum and Sara Smith will not die wondering.
At the other end, the Bulldogs have been forced to mix their defenders due to player unavailability, but Sharna McKinnon has built depth and if they receive the opportunity to use Morgan Amy, Jacinta Clark and Tyne Bosko as their back three, the Tigers attack will be tested.
The combination of McCallum and Gray give the Bulldogs a slender edge, but a tight scoreline looms at the final whistle.
