17 and UNDER – NORTH GAMBIER V MILLICENT
WHEN it comes to quality contests, the 17 and Under final will be one of the best of the day as undefeated North Gambier take on Millicent.
With each outing, the Saints have been getting closer to shutting down their long-time rivals the Tigers with each outing.
The second semi final was a tight contest for the first two and a half quarters before the Tigers were able to set up a small buffer and run out 11-goal winners
One of the most exciting match-ups on the day will be league best and fairest Macey Griffith taking on star Saints defender Edie Easterby, as the final result will most likely be determined through this battle.
Griffith combines with both Elodie Adam and Stella Mobbs, as Mobbs’ quick movements to the to shooter saw the game turn in the second half a fortnight ago.
Neither of the players will get any easy ball with Mackinlee Alcock being one of those defenders who contests everything.
The speed of ball from the supercharged Saints’ frontline will certainly challenge the North defensive unit as Poppy Venn, Piper Paul and Mylee Lynch will move the ball quickly to open up space and good shooting opportunities.
Accuracy will be key for the Millicent shooters, given Mobbs, Kelsie Anderson and Ava Collins will dominate the rebounding duels.
Another critical match up will be Mia Gysbers on league runner-up Maggie Collins.
Collins is the key feeder for the Tigers, but Gysbers is a no-nonsense player who sticks to the task and thrives on being given a defensive mission.
It looms as a goal-for-goal contest with North just getting over the line.
15 and UNDER A – MILLICENT V NORTH GAMBIER
THE 15 and Under A grand final looms as one of the tightest, highest quality contest of the day with both Millicent and North Gambier chock full of talent.
One of the key match ups will be State team mates Mischa Human (North) and Emily Denton (Millicent) – Human so strong at the post and accurate on the finish and Denton an athletic defender who is strong in the air.
Jeda Hibberd’s battle with North goal attack Lila Pearson will also shape the final outcome.
At the other end of the court, Kalani Dunn is the focal point with her ability to hold strongly or get on the move, while the speed of Tahnee Grosser out the front is critical with the Saints goal attack being an accurate finisher.
The battle between Grosser and the tight-checking Winnie Zadow will go a long way to deciding the final result, while Millicent will be keen to make sure Raine Darimaani doesn’t get a look at too many loose feeds.
The mid courts will see Lucy Crowe, Asha Gysbers and league best and fairest Bell Coghlan.
This means the likes of Jenna Baron, Lacey Hunter and Mia Griffith will need to not just attack strongly but be on song defensively.
It was a 10-goal win to the Saints in the second semi final and while the margin might be tighter, Millicent looks set to secure the title.
15 and UNDER B – MILLICENT V NORTH GAMBIER
MILLICENT has dominated this season in the 15 and Under B grade and nothing that has happened in the 2024 final series suggests they won’t cap off their season with the premiership.
The Lillie Paul coached line-up has no weaknesses.
Lola Ferguson and Audrey Galambos are a tough defensive combination, Scarlett Zalme and Olive Thorne bring speed to the mid court, while Lindy Van Eeden and Amarlie Thomson are a strong shooting combination who have played together for a couple of seasons.
North will rely on league best and fairest Lacey Hunter, who is a star at the shooting end of the court and has also formed a strong partnership with Carey Grivell.
League runner-up Ava Halloran will lead the defensive end for the Tigers with Amelie Adams being her partner-in-crime coming off a strong preliminary final.
Jenna Baron, Lacey Allen and Grace Collins will need to work overtime in the mid court to look after the ball and find a way through the tough Saints defence.
Millicent also has some strong 13 and Under players who can be brought into the line-up if required, as the superior depth will see the Saints complete the perfect season.
13 and UNDER A – MILLICENT V SOUTH GAMBIER
MILLICENT enters the 2024 13 and Under A grand final undefeated and will be looking to maintain that record when they take on South Gambier this weekend.
Recently crowned league best and fairest Indiana Coghlan looms large.
She is a smart player who is composed in offence and tenacious in defence, as proven when she dominated the second semi final.
This was matched by league runner-up Lola Ferguson, who intercepted any ball sent across the court, as well as rebounding strongly.
The circle defender will be another of the player who has a big say in the final result.
Lacey Sunderland will also be a key with her hard running while Lottie Matthews is always creative with ball in hand.
Zara Cole and Tegan Sims will be key in the mid court for the Demons, with Elsie Merchant coming off a strong preliminary final performance, while Annalie Peucker and Lucy Noonan will need to work overtime in the defensive circle, doing their best to stay in play and make life tough for the Saints frontline.
It is safe to say the Demons would have to be at their best to knock off the Saints and will need to get off to a better start than they did in the second semi final when they let the Saints set up a comfortable buffer that they could never reel in.
Millicent should maintain their perfect 2024 record with the premiership.
13 and UNDER B – WEST GAMBIER V MILLICENT
WEST Gambier has entered the 2024 13 and Under B grand final having defeated their Millicent opponents twice comfortably.
The last time they met in Round 12, it was a low scoring two-goal win for Millicent as the Saints have shown they are on a roll.
Both sides have key players which will no doubt shape the final result.
West, who advanced with a strong win over minor premiers South Gambier in the second semi final, have the likes of Frankie Davey and Phoebe Bonney-Dawson in goals.
Davey uses her height to great advantage while Bonney-Dawson is accurate from long range.
Defensively, there is Aggie Thomas, who enjoyed a top five finish in the league medal count in this grade and Molly Thomas working hard over the shot, rebounding strongly and taking some critical interceptions.
Through the middle, Mackenna Povey and Isla Stuckey looms large in the mid court, while Eliza Parham gives coach Maelee Dalton flexibility, using the youngster in goals or the mid court.
Raven Johnson, who finished runner-up in the league medal count, will be pivotal for Millicent and she is coming off two strong finals this season already, winning the ball back time and time again for her team.
The shooting combination of Brydie and Kirra Madden for Millicent was dominant in the preliminary final and will be full of confidence heading into this weekend.
Olivia Hales is also a key player, as are Lia Joyce and Zarla Thomson, and it looms as a nail-biting contest with the Roos getting the job done – just.
