James Murphy
GIRLS’ football returns to Blue Lake Sports Park for a consecutive week as Round 7 of the Limestone Coast Under 16 competition tips off in Mount Gambier tonight.
Hatherleigh will face host team South Gambier for the round, in a battle which should go the way of the guests.
The Eagles sit on top of the premiership table with an unblemished record, yet to be defeated after six games.
The Demons on the other hand sit in the middle of the pack, safely locked in third place.
They could not keep up with second-placed North Gambier last week, with a final score of 20-0.
If current form is anything to go by, Hatherleigh will be an even tougher nut to crack and should further extend its lead on top of the ladder.
Lucy Crowe enters the clash off a best-on-ground performance against reigning premier Kongorong, while Niah Faulkner was a goal magnet for the Eagles and comes off a four-goal game.
The Demons will look to the likes of Ella Guest, Bailey Broome and Isabella Morello, who all stood up despite the result last round.
Jarrah Altschwager and Sophie Wight have also been regulars among the best players this season and could be ones to watch as well.
However, the result will likely fall the way of the Eagles, as they continue to build a strong premiership case in their debut season.
Game two will be played between Kongorong and Kybybolite.
The former entered the 2022 competition as reigning premiers, but player movements and the strengthening of rival teams has dropped the Hawks to fourth place after six rounds.
Their only win of the year came against Kyby back in Round 2 and they will be hungry for another victory.
The liklihood of that is high, but the northern Tigers did manage to score three goals against Hatherleigh in Round 5, while Kongorong only managed two against the Eagles last week.
Zara East will be a focal point for Kyby, while the likes of Ruby Sambell and Amelia Frick have been regulars in the best.
For the Hawks Lilly Gordon and Sophie Longbottom have frequented the best players, while Evie Sealey leads the goalkicking for the side.
They will all look to back themselves tonight, in what should be Kongorong’s second win of the season.
North has the bye for the round.
ROUND 7 SCHEDULE – BLUE LAKE SPORTS PARK
Hatherleigh v South Gambier, 6pm; Kybybolite v Kongorong, 7.15pm.
