EAST GAMBIER V SOUTH GAMBIER
SOUTH Gambier put in a much improved performance last round in its 16 goal loss – matching it with reigning Western Border premier West Gambier in the second half.
However, it will not mean much if the young Demons can not push for victory this weekend against the Bulldogs.
The same applies for East Gambier, given the Bulldogs only put in one poor quarter against third-ranked North Gambier to lose by just 10 goals.
Reducing errors with ball in hand, accurate shooting and consistent defensive pressure across four quarters will be the key in this contest, with both sides, given their new look 2023 line-ups, struggling for consistency.
Each match-up looms large in the final wash up.
Promising young goaler Gracie Dalton will need to bring a good level of aggression and commit to standing her ground as she takes on tenacious East defender Morgan Amy – who is coming off a strong performance in Round 9.
At the other end, Sophie Wight will need to be at her tight-checking best to limit the opportunities for East shooter Renee Henke.
Wight can dominate the air and her speed onto the ball makes her a good match up for Henke, who is one of the rare moving shooters in the competition and her long-range accuracy is dangerous.
Tarsh McCallum looms large for the Demons as she is such a key link player for East, so Tully McShane will need to focus on denying the star wing attack easy access to the circle’s edge.
She will also need to pressure every feed in the hope of producing a rare error from the reliable premiership mid-courter.
South defender Ellie Bouchier has the ability to take this game by the throat and she will need to find the perfect balance between denying Casey Horrigan easy ball, given Horrigan is so accurate on the feed, but also ensure she dominates the rebounding duels and uses her ability to read the play to create some turnover ball for South.
The other goal attack/goal defence battle is probably one of the most important on the court, with South playmaker Alyssa Duncan taking on East coach Bo Creek, who has been a model of consistency over the past decade and is as adept on the ground as she is in the air.
South will do well to keep the ball out of the air and avoid cross-court balls if they do not want Creek and Amy to take the game away from them.
The centre battle sees two completely different style players going head to head.
East’s Chloe Perryman is strong in air, physical in the contest and a defensive star, while Megan Reid is hard working and simply runs all day, an understated player who rarely makes a mistake.
If South harbours any thoughts of finals in 2023, they simply have to win this contest, but either way it will be a tight one.
