EAST GAMBIER V NORTH GAMBIER
MUCH like their line-ups this season, the Western Border netball first semi-final between East Gambier and North Gambier is hard to predict.
Played at Malseed Park, it is a battle between two sides which have struggled to put their preferred starting seven on the court.
The Bulldogs will look to their full-court defensive pressure to edge them over the line, while the Tigers will hope for a strong offensive performance.
North won both the Round 1 and Round 6 clashes, the first by 15 goals and the second by six, before East returned fire in Round 11 with a 55-47 victory.
It sets the scene for a tense struggle in tomorrow’s cut-throat elimination final.
East will be look to limit supply to North star shooter Caroline Wakefield, who is both prolific and accurate when it comes to scoring.
While that job will be in the hands of tenacious defender Morgan Amy, it will be the pressure out front from defensive partner Bo Creek and mid courters Emily Hunter and Tyne Bosko which will tell the story of the contest.
They will need to make the most of their possession, with Hunter and Tarsh McCallum both in good form in terms of hitting the circle’s edge and finding Amryn Bosko or Sarah Lock in space.
Accuracy will be a key for the Bulldogs’ shooting duo as they battle the tight-checking Zahra Crough and Mel Renko.
Renko will also be a key in transition for the Tigers as she so often links the defensive with the speed in the mid court of Brianna Walters and Ash Kalantarian.
The Walters-Hunter battle will be pivotal as the speed and finesse of Walters competes against the toughness and strength of Hunter.
Meanwhile, North wing defender Libby Morgan has a huge task ahead as she attempts to curb the influence of McCallum.
East has probably had a little more time in the past month of their preferred line-up hitting the court, while the Tigers have had the usual disruptions with player unavailability.
The Bulldogs do have the edge in team chemistry, but any team with Wakefield – who has built a good combination with youngster Macey Griffith – is always in the contest and can score quickly if required.
If North has its preferred starting seven it should secure a narrow win.
However, if one piece of the puzzle is missing, the likes of Hunter, Creek and McCallum will drag the Bulldogs over the line.
FIRST SEMI FINAL SCHEDULE – MALSEED PARK
Court 1: 13 and Under A – North Gambier v East Gambier, 9am; 15 and Under A – West Gambier v Casterton Sandford, 10.15am; 17 and Under – Casterton Sandford v North Gambier, 11.30am; A Reserve – West Gambier v North Gambier, 1pm; A Grade – East Gambier v North Gambier, 2.30pm.
Court 2: 13 and Under B – West Gambier v North Gambier, 10.15am; 15 and Under B – West Gambier v East Gambier, 11.30am; C Grade – South Gambier v North Gambier, 1pm; B Grade – South Gambier v Casterton Sandford, 2.30pm.
