ALTHOUGH it is the 2020 grand final rematch the two teams are sitting at opposite ends of the table with the Melbourne Vixens only holding one win to their name and West Coast Fever with seven. Draft Central casts an eye on the battle between Sasha Glasgow and Jo Weston in the final game of Round 8.

West Coast Fever vs. Melbourne Vixens
Sasha Glasgow (GA) vs. Jo Weston (GD)

It is going to be a real battle of pride and nous for these two players with Glasgow hoping to stamp her authority while Weston will be eager to spur her side on. Both players are evenly matched when it comes to their height meaning they will have to get crafty in the way they play off each other.

Since moving to the Fever, Glasgow has reinvented herself playing out in that goal attack position and she has not skipped a beat. Boasting an aura of confidence and impressive goaling nous, Glasgow has become a crucial cog for the Fever. Typically reliant on Jhaniele Fowler under the post, the inclusion of Glasgow has allowed the Fever to become a two-pronged attack given her tendency to back herself from range. She is a really crafty goaler with great awareness both inside the circle and outside the ring to transition the ball while her pinpoint accurate passes also make her a valuable asset. Glasgow is steadily finding her groove alongside the likes of Verity Charles and Jess Anstiss able to read the play well and drop back into the circle or get busy out the front to relieve the pressure on her midcourters. Glasgow has great timing on the drive and is not afraid to take the game on, something she will need to do against the physical Vixens defence. One of her greatest attributes is her rebounding and while she has the tall timber that is Fowler under the post, Glasgow often contests for her own ball which is great to see.

It has been somewhat of a quiet season for Weston with the goal defence yet to reach the heights of her 2020 form but that is not to say that she is not still one of the best in the business. Weston has an uncanny ability to pickpocket the ball and while her strength clearly lies down in defence her smarts on transition have definitely come to the fore this season. the goal defence has been a reliable option through the midcourt to help bring the ball down the court and often provides great support and backup on the transverse line for the Vixens. Her long arms make her a real defensive threat, able to block the vision of her opponent and also win ball back thanks to her ball tracking ability. She has deceptive closing speed and is never out of the contest credit to her never-say-die attitude and smarts. Weston does some of her best work with Emily Mannix backing her in goal keeper but has also showcased her class to seamlessly connect with Kadie-Ann Dehaney. The combination with Kate Eddy, Allie Smith and Kate Moloney is another crucial part of Weston’s game with the defender able to create a strong defensive wall and then switch into an attacking mindset in the blink of an eye.

It is going to be a great match-up between the two players who are in relatively different stages of their careers. Weston has solidified herself as a real contender with her ability to hunt down the player and ball, meaning Glasgow will have to be working in overdrive to keep Weston busy and not allow her to drop back onto Fowler. If the Fever goal attack is able to entertain Weston with her crafty court play and willingness to go to post it will command her attention and put West Coast in a dominant position.

Photo credit: West Coast Fever Twitter