WEST Gambier’s sights are set on breaking its premiership drought in 2022 and that mission was off to a solid start with the largest winning margin of the round.
The Roos claimed a 53-goal victory at home over Casterton Sandford as the guests struggled without some key players.
West unveiled a new-look mid court as young guns Zoe Malseed and Mikaela Horrigan joined Tara Bryant to ensure there was plenty of speed and athleticism through the centre of the court.
The speed of ball and sure hands on the feed gave West goalers Sarah Ritter and Lisa McGregor plenty of supply.
The star shooting duo was not surprisingly named West’s best players on the day.
Ritter netted 16 from 18 in the opening quarter, 24 from 27 in a huge second quarter and 15 from 20 in the third, before Claire Hunter entered the game at shooter in the fourth and did not miss a beat with 11 from 12.
Hunter will be the Roos’ replacement shooter when Ritter is away on state duties and it was a good way to introduce the talented goaler to the A Grade court.
It was a tough day out for the Cats, with so many first-choice players missing and West defenders Amy Cram and Jade Ritter denied the makeshift Casterton Sandford forward set-up time and space and any chance to settle, keeping them to limited scoring opportunities.
Scarlett Jarrad was easily the Cats’ best as she continued her hard running through the centre and demonstrated strong leadership for her younger teammates, while Charlotte Rice made good space in the shooting circle.
New coach Jodie Humphries swung some changes throughout the match to try and find the right mix and she would certainly have been pleased with the effort put in by her new-look team despite the result.
