SOUTH GAMBIER 55 d CASTERTON SANDFORD 41
ON a high from a drought-breaking Anzac Day victory, South Gambier stared down a five-goal half-time deficit in its clash with Casterton Sandford at Island Park.
Enter young-gun shooter Lara Munro.
The promising South goaler had a quiet first half and struggled with inaccuracy but she flicked a switch in the third quarter.
She shot an astonishing 21 goals without a miss to help turn the half-time deficit into a nine-goal lead at the final change.
Having shot only nine goals in the opening half, Munro dug deep and backed up the 21 straight in the third term with 13 from 14 in the last.
She was not the only Demon who found a lift in intensity in the second half, with goal keeper Grace Edwards upping her work rate.
The fresh legs of 17 and Under player Sophie Wight on the defensive wing also helped turn the game as Alyssa Duncan, Megan Reid and Tully McShane found connection in the attack line.
South was without defensive players Ellie Bouchier and Ruby Richter, while the Cats were without inspirational mid-courter Scarlett Jarrad due to injury.
Madalene Cleary was her usual reliable self in goal shooter for the Cats and took control of the attacking end in Jarrad’s absence.
At the other end, the Cats’ first half lead was set up by the defensive intensity of Ebany Jarrad and Caeleigh Humphries.
Their battle with Duncan was one of the highlights of the match, while Tessa Marra at wing defence placed good pressure on South feeders, while also providing critical link play through the mid court.
In the end, the 22-8 third quarter decided the contest, as was Duncan’s perfect shooting in the first half which kept the Demons in touch.
Mykaela Thiele’s efforts at goal defence for the Demons was also pivotal, while South was able to debut both Chelsea Ryan and Wight to give them a taste of senior action.
