Picture: FRANK MONGER
EAST Gambier picked up its first win of 2019 and will look to consolidate in round four of Western Border netball at Island Park on Saturday.
Casterton Sandford had a promising draw with West Gambier in round two, but is yet to register a win.
The return of coach and star goaler Christine Harris this round will certainly help the Cats’ cause.
Marlee Gartlan and Sharna Fidler seem have grown as a defensive combination, which allows the Cats to use class utility Madalene Cleary through the mid court or in the shooting circle.
Scarlett Jarrad has been the pick of the Cats in the opening three rounds and her battle with Sara Smith will be pivotal.
Her tight checking and willingness to contest everything will test the young Bulldog wing attack, who will need to use her pace and smarts to get the better of the experienced Cat.
Bulldogs shooter Brittany Ross had her best game since joining East and her combination with Tenille Gray is starting to fulfil its early promise.
Gray has continued on from where she left off in 2018 when she won the association’s best and fairest.
Stopping Gray will be the Cats largest challenge, along with looking after the ball in offence to deny Jacinta Clark and Morgan Amy the chance to create turnover ball.
That is where the smarts of Tori Perry will come in as she marshals the troops at the offensive end.
Tyne Bosko comes off not only her only game for 2019, but a match turning performance where, particularly in the tense final quarter, she was able to take critical interceptions to give her team the advantage.
The Bulldogs look to be settling and should win a tight one.
