MILLICENT v EAST GAMBIER
MILLICENT has been quietly building over 2024 with a less settled line-up compared to previous seasons.
As the Saints settle their preferred combination, the results are coming and their victory over West Gambier on the weekend would have certainly injected further confidence into the roster.
Nikeisha Facey looked as comfortable as she has been all season at goal shooter, with her combination alongside star goal attack Demi Verbena really starting to take shape.
Lillie Paul and Daisy Tunkin also showed great maturity and work rate as they connected with that shooting combination.
Millicent always looks good when Lisa Duldig is at wing defence marshalling the defensive troops and Lauren Van Eeden was again outstanding, while Portia McRae has had her most consistent season to date.
Frighteningly for opposition teams, that victory in Round 12 came without star utility Edie Easterby.
Given she can do damage in all three areas of the court, she could well be an X Factor as the business end of the season approaches.
East showed great grit and determination to secure victory over Casterton Sandford in Bo Creek’s 300th game.
Creek’s battle with Verbena will be one of the match-shaping contests, as will Malinda Foster’s form.
Foster continues to be the focal point of the East shooting circle whether at goal shooter or goal attack.
Tegan Nunan and Casey Horrigan will need to be patient and prepared to change the angles and move the ball quickly to unsettle the Saints’ defence and find Foster and her accurate shooting partner Renee Henke in good shooting position.
Unfortunately, Millicent has secured the scalp it would have been looking for and is still in the hunt for a top-two finish and the double chance.
As such East can expect no mercy against the best defensive line-up in the competition.
