North Gambier v South Gambier
IT will be do-or-die for South Gambier’s finals hopes this weekend when it visits North Gambier for Round 13 of Western Border netball.
Working on a strong start will be on the agenda of stand-in coach Felicity Walker, given the Demons have had poor opening quarters against Millicent and East in recent rounds, before hitting their straps from quarter-time onwards.
South will need to come out of the blocks firing, playing with the same desperation as East did last weekend when it outplayed the Demons across the board.
Limiting the supply to North shooter Caroline Wakefield will be the number-one priority for South.
However, it is also dangerous to leave youngster Macey Griffith to roam free.
Griffith, along with Ash Kalantarian and Brianna Walters are safe with ball in hand.
The likes of Tully McShane, Ruby Richter, Megan Reid and Imogen Walker will need to pressure the North feeders to give their defensive line of Ellie Bouchier and Grace Edwards a chance to turn the ball over.
The Tigers have had a season where player availability – through injury, illness and other commitments – has handicapped their chance to build team chemistry.
That has been most evident at the defensive end of the court.
Mel Renko’s return will be a key as she leads the back end of the court.
Zahra Crough, Alysha Coon, Lauran Norman and Libby Morgan look to make life tough for Lara Munro and Alyssa Duncan in the South shooting circle.
The Demons made too many errors last weekend and they will need to be more patient and value possession more dearly if they are to remain in contention for the top four.
The uncertainty surrounding who will hit the court for North makes tipping an even tougher game but Wakefield will no doubt prove to be the difference in a narrow win for the Tigers.
