EAST GAMBIER 38 d CASTERTON SANDFORD 19
It was all about defence at Island Park clash when Casterton Sandford hosted East Gambier in a low-scoring affair.
The Bulldogs won every quarter while the Cats tried to settle into a significantly different line-up to the Round 1 team.
Chloe Foster returned and took the goal shooter bib, while Caeleigh Humphries was a welcome addition to goal defence, with coach Dani Russell also stepping out for her first game for the Cats at wing attack.
The inclusions allowed Madalene Cleary to move into the centre where she could not only control the game for Casterton Sandford but also impact both ends of the court.
This also reunited regular defensive combination Ebany Jarrad and Humphries.
Both sides suffered from inaccuracy in the shooting circle in the opening quarter, with scoring opportunities at a premium.
However, from the first break onwards, both shooting duos made the most of their opportunities and it was East’s second quarter, which they won 11-3 that set up the 19-goal victory.
The defensive efforts of Bo Creek and Morgan Amy created plenty of turnover ball and the support in the mid court from Chloe Perryman and Eliza Cole meant every Cats feed was under pressure.
That pressure remained when the two midcourters swapped bibs at half time.
The small moving goal circle of the Bulldogs provided its challenges for Jarrad and Humphries and with Renee Henke and Casey Horrigan both finishing accurately in the final three quarters, the scoreboard remained in the Bulldogs’ favour.
