MILLICENT V WEST GAMBIER
THE 2022 Western Border netball grand finalists are set to face off at McLaughlin Park in what looms as an interesting clash.
Reigning premiers West Gambier comes off a strong victory over South, while Millicent netted 94 goals in a comprehensive victory at Island Park.
Every match-up is pivotal in what looms as the clear game of the round.
West circle defenders Amy Cram and Jade Ritter deny opponents time and space.
They will need to be at their best to deny scoring opportunities for Demi Verbena and Tabatha Sanderson.
Verbena does a mountain of work out front and can nail long-range shots, while Sanderson is strong at the post.
At the other end the young defensive duo of Lauren Van Eeden and Portia McRae have just as big a task as they look to limit the influence of Roo goalies Lisa McGregor and Sarah Ritter – if the latter’s ankle has recovered after a training mishap last week.
The premiership shooting duo have a great understanding and they are accurate finishers.
Much will come down to the pressure on the feeders and last weekend Millicent nailed that part of the game with relentless pressure from the mid court of Daisy Tunkin, Lillie Paul and Lisa Duldig.
They will need to be relentless again as Tara Bryant is having a stellar season and Mikaela Horrigan is an under-the-radar player who rarely makes a mistake with ball in hand.
Bryant and Zoe Malseed will need to do a similar tight-checking job on Paul and Tunkin to assist their own circle defenders.
West should take the points in a high-quality arm wrestle.
