NORTH GAMBIER V EAST GAMBIER
NORTH Gambier will look to bounce back strongly when it hosts East Gambier for Round 9.
The Tigers lost to Millicent last round after a final-quarter fadeout saw them fall to a 15-goal deficit.
Last time North met the Bulldogs, the former took the points by 13 goals as Mel Renko and Brianna Walters dominated the mid-court to lead the Tigers to the win.
East will need to put some time into those two experienced campaigners.
The good news is Eliza Cole comes off a strong performance at wing defence for East, something she will hope to replicate against Walters this week.
Cole is joined by Chloe Perryman, who also has a strong defensive mindset, and the duo will need to work overtime to pressure North’s feeders.
Either Sharna McKinnon or Morgan Amy will likely have the job on North shooter Grace Potts.
However, it will be a team effort to kerb her influence under the post as she has a solid first-half of the season under her belt.
Denying Tigers’ goal attack Macey Griffith too much ball is also critical as the teenage goaler has already formed a strong connection with her shooting partner and has been delivering the ball well.
One of the key match-ups will be youngster Lauran Norman looking to shut down star East mid-courter Tarsh McCallum.
Norman has the height advantage and aerial skills but McCallum has the speed and smarts and shutting her down will be critical to North’s game plan.
Last weekend Noni McConnell and Stella Mobbs had the challenge of the Saints shooting duo, including Tabatha Sanderson.
They face a much different challenge this weekend with the moving circle of Renee Henke and Casey Horrigan.
The McConnell-Horrigan battle looms large, especially given how strongly Horrigan finished last weekend’s clash with West.
North should get the job done and return to the winner’s list.
