WEST GAMBIER V SOUTH GAMBIER
SOUTH Gambier secured its first victory of 2023 last weekend but will get a real taste of the work which remains when the Demons head to Malseed Park this week.
They visit the reigning premiers on their new courts and will face an uphill battle against an in-form West Gambier.
The unchanged Roos are undefeated in 2023, while the new-look Demons continue to work on settling new combinations.
Denying Sarah Ritter too much ball will be priority number one for South and this will rely on full-court defensive pressure.
Ritter has been prolific and accurate in the opening three rounds and if she finds her usual number of scoring opportunities, the Demons are no chance.
Tully McShane and Sophie Wight will need to work overtime in the mid court to pressure the feeds from West’s Mikaela Horrigan and Tara Bryant.
South’s Ellie Bouchier will also need to try and create turnover ball before it gets to Ritter and also deny her direct opponent Lisa McGregor too much ball as she is the key link player for the Roos.
The Roos defensive line of Zoe Malseed, Amy Cram and Jade Ritter is as tough as any in the competition.
This will mean Alyssa Duncan needs to take charge of the attacking end of the court – as she has done already this season – and help work the ball with patience through the Roos’ relentless defensive pressure.
Teenager Gracie Dalton is finding her feet in her debut A Grade season for South and Megan Reid looks to be loving life at wing attack.
Reid will need to work overtime to help her shooters find space in good range.
West will remain undefeated but it will be a good audit for South ahead of its upcoming clash with East Gambier.
