James Murphy
WOMEN’S football heads north again this week with another split round between Kybybolite and Mundulla.
The feature of Round 6 will be a top-of-the-table clash between Mundulla and North Gambier, which will give an insight into the premiership favourite moving forward.
The two teams are both undefeated for 2024, with Mundulla nestled on top of the ladder due to North’s bye last week.
The top side enters the round off a 104-0 point win over Casterton Sandford, while its closest contest this season was a 42-point triumph over South Gambier.
Kellsie Turner and Zoe Hawker were players to watch last week, but the whole team delivered on the way to the big win.
Chelsea Packer bagged five goals, aided by a four-goal effort from Melody Maddern.
They will be out to impress again and will need to be at their best when facing the Tigers, who will be their toughest opponent to date.
North has had a similar first half of the season, where it has been untouchable in all five of its matches.
The closest margin was a 54-point win over Kongorong back in Round 2, while the most recent outing had Tess Andrews, Fiona Young and Jazz Cowling impress against Millicent.
Chloe Newton has been a regular contributor in front of the big sticks and had five goals on that occasion, bringing her season tally to a league-high 18.
A close battle could unfold and regardless of the result it should be the undisputed match of the round.
Prior to their clash, Millicent and Penola will lock horns.
This will likely be a different story, with Penola carrying red-hot form into the bout.
The Saints have struggled against all opponents this season, save for an early round win over Nangwarry in its debut.
Last round a stinging 70-point defeat to Kybybolite had Millicent left scoreless after four quarters.
Isabelle Wilson was the best of the bunch, with Chloe Gronn also a highlight of late.
Keslie Wilkinson is another regular in the best players, but it will take a full-team performance to down the Eagles.
Penola comes off a 136-point thrashing of Nangwarry – compared to Millicent’s 76-point win over the league’s newest team.
Heidi Berkin and Angela Broad will be players to watch, with both impressing in front of goals and up the ground.
The Eagles should run away with this one and edge themselves closer towards the top two.
Over at Kybybolite, Nangwarry and Casterton Sandford meet for an intriguing battle.
The Saints have yet to taste success, while the Cats have struggled with numbers in recent weeks.
They have been required to lend players off opposing teams and it is possible this will be the case again.
Regardless this could be another closer contest.
The Cats will be eager to bounce back from last week’s 104-point loss to Mundulla, where Hinemoa Biddle-Maitland topped the best players despite the margin.
Libby Altorfer has also been consistent, while the likes of Carlie, Holly and Chloe Smith have also been solid.
Skye Virtanen has been good for Nangwarry and has kicked the Saints’ only goal for the year, while Jess Gerritsen was their best player last week.
The final game of the round will be played between Kyby and South Gambier.
The hosts will enter as the favourites, but there is potential for a good game.
The two teams are old rivals, as previous frontrunners of the competition.
However, this season both have one win each.
Kyby seems to be building some momentum with a good win last week.
Taylor Ryan slotted four goals, while Madeleine Huggins was best on ground.
The likes of Evie Sealey, Dellie Brown, Kate Edmonds and Amelia Frick have also performed well and they will all be looked to for strong performances again.
South often looks to captain Jarrah Altschwager, while Ella Guest enters off a best-on-ground performance.
This round holds potential to be the closest across the board, following the blown-out results of recent weeks.
All game will be played on Sunday.
ROUND 6 SCHEDULE – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Kybybolite – Nangwarry v Casterton Sandford, 11am; Kybybolite v South Gambier, 12.35pm.
Munudlla – Millicent v Penola, 11am; Mundulla v North Gambier, 12.35pm.
