MILLICENT and West Gambier are the only two teams that remain undefeated through four rounds of Western Border netball.
The two sides clash on Saturday at McLaughlin Park in what is expected to be a blockbuster contest.
Millicent enters the game on the back of a comprehensive victory over South Gambier, despite missing defender Madi Haggett and only playing Donna Denton for three quarters.
West enters the clash on the back of a drought breaking win over North Gambier and while it was not as polished a performance as the Roos would have liked, it was still a win.
Now they get to test themselves against the best.
Every match up will be key.
Hayley Dunn’s strong positioning and work over the shot will test the holds and timing of Tahlia Earl.
Haggett’s willingness to hold the front position and her strong rebounding will certainly be under scrutiny against the smarts and accuracy of Lisa McGregor.
The tight marking of Hannah Nitschke will face the speed on the drive of Carlee Ransom.
The hard running of the opposing centres, Lisa Duldig and Emily Hunter, both of whom are also strong defensively, will certainly be a highlight of the match.
Paige Nitschke will need to use her timing and creative passing well against the one-on-one pressure of Carly Trevilyan.
The smart positioning and ability to read the play of Amy Cram will test the speed and timing of Demi Verbena and Maddy Teakle’s willingness to contest everything against the class of Denton –
the most decorated individual player in the association’s history – will be an intriguing battle.
It looms as a classic contest, with West needing to slow the speed of ball for the Saints and also show patience in offence.
Millicent will know it has to lock down defensively all over the court because there is nothing the Roos love more than space.
As reigning titleholders and the benchmark of the competition for well over a decade, Millicent starts favourite and will probably win.
But West will be determined to stay in the contest and not allow the scoreline to blow out as they look to establish the Roos as the most likely contender to the Saints’ crown in 2019.
