MILLICENT V SOUTH GAMBIER
THE Western Border Netball Association season kicks off this weekend with 2021 runner-up Millicent up against South Gambier in round one.
There is no reason to think the Saints will not be the competition pacesetters in 2022 and while they have lost the quality of Lucy Denton and Sophie Ellis, they will still have quality in every area of the court.
Tabatha Sanderson will dominate under the post, while Demi Verbena will feed her shooting partner well.
Their task will be made easier by the retirement of Brandi Bouchier and the fact South Gambier’s other key defender Ellie Bouchier will be missing in round one.
The Saints’ mid-court features Paige Nitschke and Lisa Duldig who will cause plenty of trouble for the makeshift South defence.
Demons’ mid courters including Megan Reid and Tully McShane will need to put as much pressure on the feed as possible.
Millicent has a strong defensive group with Hannah Nitschke, Portia McRae and the returning Kimmi Tincknell.
All three are tight-checking defenders who will happily leave their opponent to find intercept ball elsewhere on the court.
South will need to work the ball with patience into the shooting circle to avoid turnovers.
Lara Munro had a great breakout season in 2021 and will be looking to build on that in the shooting circle, while Alyssa Duncan will be a key at the attacking end of the court.
It is hard to predict anything but a Millicent victory in round one, but the Demons will not bow down without a fight as they look to develop and build across the season.
EAST GAMBIER V NORTH GAMBIER
THE match of the opening round of Western Border netball is between reigning premier East Gambier and North Gambier.
The Bulldogs enter their premiership defence without two stars – Tenille Gray and Lisa Fyfe – but co-coaches Emily Hunter and Bo Creek have been helped by the return of Sarah Lock and Morgan Amy to the club.
Premiership players Amryn Bosko, Tarsh McCallum, Tyne Bosko, Hunter and Creek will be the backbone of this team and given they are a more settled line-up than the new-look Tigers, they should start their season with a win.
North still has Caroline Wakefield (Davey) under the post and she will provide a challenge for East defenders.
Mel Renko is always a key to the Tigers’ fortunes and her leadership will be even more important in 2022, while Brianna Walters will also be critical with her class and composure in the mid court.
Last season’s A Reserve premiership coach Amanda O’Shaughnessy has taken on the top grade coaching role for 2022 and she will lead from the court.
With many new faces, which includes players the quality of Alycia Pitson, the Tigers can be expected to need some time to fintune their on-court chemistry.
As such the Bulldogs should start their 2022 campaign with a round-one victory.
WEST GAMBIER V CASTERTON SANDFORD
WEST Gambier has been a regular finals challenger in recent seasons and should be in the box seat for a win over Casterton Sandford when the teams meet tomorrow in the opening round of Western Border netball.
The Roos have lost only one key player from 2021 in wing defender Nikiesha Facey and will be primed for another successful campaign.
With SA state representative Sarah Ritter and coach Lisa McGregor in goals, while Amy Cram and Jade Ritter control the defence, West has both ends of the court covered.
The mid court is also full of quality and speed with Tara Bryant and Carlee Ransom.
The Roos have a wealth of young talent who can be called upon which awards them arguably the deepest playing list in the 2022 competition, with Millicent perhaps the only exception.
However, Casterton Sandford will be a stronger team this season, with some returning players.
Madalene Cleary returns from an ACL injury and will add strength to either end of the court, while mid-courter Gaby Tomkins returns from having a baby.
Young defender Claire Foster will be even better with a year of A Grade netball under her belt and Ebany Jarrad can expect some opportunities in A Grade following a strong 2021 debut.
Caeleigh Humphries brings athleticism to her role in the defensive circle and she might even be able to translate those skills to the mid court, with the Cats looking to unveil some brand new faces as well.
The Roos certainly start favourite, but the Cats will be one to watch as the season .
