James Murphy
NORTH GAMBIER 5.9 (39) d CASTERTON SANDFORD 3.5 (23)
A STRONG second-half effort booked North Gambier a 2023 Limestone Coast women’s football grand final berth.
The Tigers matched up with Casterton Sandford in Sunday’s main preliminary final, with a place alongside Mundulla in the decider on the line.
The Cats finished as minor premiers and entered the match with some confidence from their Round 6 win over North.
They opened strongly and slotted two goals to North’s one in the first quarter to head into the break up by three points.
A goal each in the second term kept the Tigers at arm’s reach, but not for long.
North regrouped at the main break before piling on three third-quarter goals to claim the lead.
Alice Tentye came alive during this time and her presence up forward was felt by Cats’ defenders.
She finished her day with four goals, with her performance only bested by the best-on-ground efforts from Libby Howe-Morgan through the middle.
At the final change the Tigers held a 36-23 point lead.
The game remained to be won and both teams hit the ground eager to put in a strong showing in what would be one side’s last quarter for the year.
However, a stalemate unfolded and three North behinds were the only additions to the scoreboard.
As such the Tigers prevailed by 16 points and secured a chance at premiership glory in two week’s time.
Other top performers for North included Penny Coleman, Grace Altschwager, Mikaila Pitt and Luca Roulstone, with the latter also slotting a goal.
Makayla Hutchins and Gabrielle Sullivan both found the big sticks for the Cats, while it was Amelia Thomas who received the best-on-ground honours.
Zhane Crawford was also solid, joined by the likes of Hinemoa Biddle-Maitland, Scarlett Jarrad, Hutchins and Libby Altorfer.
The Tigers will now enjoy a week off for the Easter break, before a grand final meeting with Mundulla on April 16.
