Top two fight for grand final berth

BIG GAME: West Gambier's Tara Bryant will match up on Millicent's Lisa Duldig in one of the key semi-final match-ups. Picture: JAMES MURPHY

MILLICENT v WEST GAMBIER

THE first Western Border netball grand final berths will be up for grabs tomorrow when the second semi finals are contested at McDonald Park.

The A Grade clash between Millicent and West Gambier will be one to watch, with both sides in impressive form this year.

Their three previous meetings have all been close.

The Saints claimed the first win by three goals, while West took the second by two and Millicent secured a 10-goal win the final time they met in the minor round.

It sets the stage for a tense second semi final as both sides look to earn the easy route to the grand final.

They have been the two teams which have had the least injury and unavailability this season.

However, in Round 16 against South Gambier, Millicent’s Georgia Clarke suffered a serious knee injury which has sidelined the wing defender, who also had her time in centre.

It means Lillie Paul, who has been given plenty of exposure to A Grade action this season, will take on a mid court role.

Her speed, defensive talents and creativity with ball in hand will keep the Saints right in the fight.

The challenge for the 2021 runners up will be limiting the scoring opportunities for West’s Sarah Ritter and Lisa McGregor.

That will require a whole team defensive effort.

Portia McRae will take responsibility for Ritter and their battle will go a long way to deciding the result.

Hannah Nitschke will need to go step for step with McGregor, who is the architect of the West attack play and feeds the ball with precision to Ritter.

Paul and Lisa Duldig will also need to be at the top of their defensive game, denying Mikaela Horrigan and Tara Bryant easy access to the circle.

The Bryant-Duldig battle will be another key match up.

Bryant has been outstanding this season and her hard running ensures she impacts both ends of the court.

However, they do not come much better than Duldig in the mid court and she has always prided herself on her hard work.

West, of course, has a similar challenge to Millicent – they need to limit supply to Tabatha Sanderson and Demi Verbena.

Sanderson is strong under the post and Verbena is creative and deadly from long range.

Paige Nitschke is unassuming but never wastes a possession and uses her smarts to find good position on the circle’s edge.

West’s Zoe Malseed will need to wear Paige Nitschke like a glove and work together with Bryant to pressure the feed so Jade Ritter and Amy Cram can pounce on poor feeds or inaccurate delivery.

The Roos’ defensive duo are also strong rebounders so accuracy will be a key for the Saints.

It is a match which really is a toss of the coin but Millicent should prevail in a tight encounter.

SECOND SEMI FINAL SCHEDULE – MCDONALD PARK

Court 1: 13 and Under A – Millicent v West Gambier, 9am; 15 and Under A – Millicent v North Gambier, 10.15am; 17 and Under – Millicent v South Gambier, 11.30am; A Reserve – Millicent v East Gambier, 1pm; A Grade – Millicent v West Gambier, 2.30pm.

Court 2: 13 and Under B – Millicent v Casterton Sandford, 10.15am; 15 and Under B – North Gambier v Millicent, 11.30am; C Grade – East Gambier v Millicent, 1pm; B Grade – Millicent v North Gambier, 2.30pm.