James Murphy
HATHERLEIGH v NORTH GAMBIER
A TOP-of-the-table clash awaits in Round 8 of Limestone Coast Under 16 girls’ football at Hatherleigh tonight.
So far the home team has been a force to be reckoned with in 2022, having not lost a game since it made its debut in the competition this year.
Second-placed North Gambier will hope to change this and the Tigers will be hungry for redemption after losing their first meeting with Hatherleigh back in Round 3.
That is the only blemish on North’s record this season, but came in convincing fashion 39-8.
Since then both teams have been untouchable and will enter the round desperate to assert their dominance.
The Eagles stand as the favourites, with no shortage of skills across the ground.
Niah Faulkner has been explosive in the forward line and has scored a total of nine goals in just her last two outings.
Throw in the likes of Sebella Coghlan, Hannah Bellinger and Amber Chester – to name a few – and the Eagles have plenty of in-form talent at their disposal.
For North it will be players like Heidi Berkin, Georigia Gentile and Eadie Mustart who may be looked at.
The match certainly stands as the most exciting of the round, but Hatherleigh should claim the points.
SOUTH GAMBIER v KYBYBOLITE
The Demons will be eager to bounce back from last week’s disappointment when they clash with Kybybolite tonight.
South Gambier faced the might of Hatherleigh last round and were unable to touch the scoreboard.
It is sure to be a different story this week, as Kyby struggled against the Demons in their last meeting.
However, the northern Tigers did string together their second win of the year last week against reigning premier Kongorong, so the girls will be full of confidence.
Ella Guest and Jarrah Altschwager have been focal points for the Demons, having appeared in the best players in five of their six games.
Kyby’s Zara East has been one to watch for the Tigers, while the likes of Ruby Sambell and Amelia Frick have also frequented the top players.
South should record its third win of the season and retain third place on the ladder, but it will need to be at its best to prevent an upset.
