FOUR Coates Talent League Girls games take place across the third last round of action on Saturday with matches across metropolitan and country regions, as well as one more on the Apple Isle. We preview tomorrow’s clashes.

Saturday, August 3
Deakin Reserve | @ 12:00pm

FORM:

Murray came agonisingly close to a win again last round when falling short of a comeback in the final term against Sandringham. The Bushrangers kicked two final term goals in windy conditions, but it was not enough and they remained winless for the season. Back at home against a Dandenong Stingrays side that also suffered a defeat last week in the wet, the Stingrays will look for an immediate bounce back as they look to secure top spot in the Country pool.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Murray Bushrangers:

Skipper Holly Egan has been in great form from the back half and rotating into the midfield, while Rain Dodd and Nikhita Spiteri continue to impress. Top-age utility Madison Ibrahim has been named on a wing for the clash, while the Bushrangers regain Ellie Hall – named on-ball – and Tamika Rourke – who is up forward – against the Stingrays.

Dandenong Stingrays:

Dandenong’s midfield looks rock solid with Vic Country members across the follower line starting with ruck/forward Elli Symonds. Jemma Reynolds and Kayla Dalgleish have been in fantastic form, while wing Tahlia Sanger and forward Makhaela Bluhm have stepped up big time of late. Skipper Zoe Besanko has been named forward after playing in defence last week.

PREDICTION

The two seasons of these sides have been very different, and while the homeground advantage might help Murray to an extent, expect Dandenong to have too much depth and pull away for the win and bounce back from last week.

Saturday, August 3
Twin Ovals | @ 12:00pm

FORM:

Tasmania has built up some nice form over the past couple of months, winning four on the trot, including impressive scalps over Northern Knights and Geelong Falcons on the road. They return back home to face a Calder Cannons side that only has the one win – against Murray – but had been more competitive such as a narrow two-point defeat to GWV Rebels last round.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Tasmania Devils:

The Devils will head into the game minus Lucy Thompson, but Meg Harrison has been able to recover from having to be helped off last round to play this week. Priya Bowering and Mischa Barwin have put together some great bottom-age campaigns, while Harriet Bingley is another capable of inflicting damage on the opposition. Forwards Ava Read and Josie Rose are some of the main targets to keep an eye on.

Calder Cannons:

Calder will head into the game without Stephanie Mitchell and Camryn Bux who are both representing the Young Guns against Oakleigh Chargers, as well as three key Vic Metro members in Kyla Forbes, Chloe Baker-West and Jade McLay. It means the likes of Maddison Albrecht, skipper Ava Gerada and Lara Churchill remain key to the side’s chances.

PREDICTION

A stronger availability and being at home should see the Devils take home the four points rather comfortably, though it will be interesting to see how Calder can nullify some of the opposition’s top players and try and get the ball going the other way.

Saturday, August 3
Box Hill City Oval | @ 1:30pm

FORM:

Eastern Ranges were able to shrug off Dandenong Stingrays in torrential rain despite not kicking a goal after the nine-minute mark of the first term. The Ranges are a high-scoring team and in good conditions are capable of putting up a big score, having beaten all bar the Lions Academy, Oakleigh and Geelong, the latter being while missing half of the Ranges’ side. Last time these teams faced off, the Ranges stormed to a 75-point win at DSV Stadium back in Round 11.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Eastern Ranges:

The Ranges have great depth across the board, with the inside group that includes Tayla McMillan and Grace Belloni combining well with the run and carry of Evie Parker and Grace Baba. Up forward, the home side has plenty of dangerous options such as Georgie Brisbane and Georgia Knight, while future prospects such as Jordyn Allen, Emily Rankin and Brylee Anderson have been consistent across the ground.

Western Jets:

Boasting a couple of talented Under 16s forwards in Piper Dixon and Kiara Boyd who can both do some serious damage in front of goal, the Jets look to AFLW Academy member Sierra Grieves to get them going out of midfield. Tall Alex McBride-Loane has shown she can play on all three lines and has been named at centre half-back for the upcoming match.

PREDICTION

Eastern Ranges will be too strong here, having shown their class across the board and ability to win both shootouts and slogs. Western has been competitive in patches, but is still developing some of its younger core, so expect at home in Box Hill for the Ranges to take out a comfortable win.

Saturday, August 3
ETU Stadium | @ 2:00pm

FORM:

The Power have won four of the past five games, including victories of 24 and 44 points in the past two rounds. Set to play in finals this year, Gippsland has shown to have quality across various age groups and will really push the Rebels, as they did back in Round 6 when they won by 38 points at La Trobe University. GWV has won its past three games either sides of two bye, getting past bottom four sides Murray Bushrangers, Calder Cannons and Bendigo Pioneers, but the Round 15 match poses a much tougher challenge and will require another step up again.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Gippsland Power:

The Power midfield depth is ultra-impressive with top draft prospect Ash Centra headlining the team, but the likes of Jasmine Sowden, Lilly Leighton and Rebecca Fitzpatrick all in great form. Reinventing utility Ella Stoddart up forward has been handy in the absence of Abby Hobson, while Grace Dillow and Lily Milner are a couple of Under 16s prospects who have provided a spark to theside in the front half.

GWV Rebels:

GWV Rebels will be minus Claire Mahony for the clash, which means forwards who hit the scoreboard last week such as Maggie Johnstone and Maddison Cotten will be importnat. Up the other end, watch for Vic Country representatives Millie Lang and Elise Cook to provide intercepting capability, while Olivia Wolter and Brook Ward are a nice outside-inside combination.

PREDICTION

Gippsland Power is a dark horse in the 2024 Coates Talent League Girls, and given the young depth that is coming through the ranks, they are well set for the future. In what should be a tight contest in patches, the Power should emerge victorious with that extra class through midfield.