A GRADE – NORTH GAMBIER v WEST GAMBIER
IF the second semi final was anything to go by, the LCFNL netball A Grade grand final looms as an epic contest.
North Gambier and West Gambier are set to go head to head again after the Tigers won the pair’s previous match a fortnight ago by one goal.
In that match, both sides held sway at different times and runs of four and five goals were not unusual.
Both sides would have been disappointed when the teams had a five or six goal buffer, then they were unable to consolidate and will be looking for a more consistent performance in the title decider.
Newly awarded league best and fairest Sarah Ritter, who was the 2022 best on court, is obviously a key and her battle with Stella Mobbs will be match-defining.
The two young guns have had a couple of really great finals battles over the past couple of seasons, so whoever ends up on top in this contest will go a long way to deciding the final result.
Of course Ritter’s ability to dominate happens in no small part to the precise delivery of Lisa McGregor, Jess Holmes and Tara Bryant which means the Tigers’ defence will need to be relentless with its pressure.
The task falls to Mel Renko, Lauran Norman, Ava Collins and Kaitlin Egan as they cannot afford for the West mid courters to have too much time and space.
It was an intriguing battle in the second semi final, as a key match up now looms again again with Brianna Walters on North’s attacking wing up against Chelsea Tremelling.
Tremelling has been a revelation in her first full season of A Grade and her ability to get deflections and interceptions to win the ball back has been uncanny all season.
Walters is all class as she worked through a tough first half in the second semi to be the key link player in North’s victory.
Macey Griffith, who earned her first Team of the Year nod this season, is the architect of the North frontline.
Griffith’s battle with West defender Amy Cram is another of those match ups which will be pivotal come the final whistle.
Griffith is always composed, creative with ball in hand and an accurate finisher and whether she combines with Kelly Lockwood, Mischa Human or even Mobbs, she is a key to this grand final.
Human was impressive when entering the clash in the semi and no doubt, whoever West keeper Mikaela Horrigan has to take on, they will need to play the front position as Horrigan loves nothing more than the ball in the air.
They were top all season, but the Roos may turn the tables in another nail-biter.
