THE opening round of the TAC Cup Girls competition had it all. Draft prospects kick-started their season in a big way, debutants shone on the big stage, and while one team enjoyed their first win, another endured their first loss. The Oakleigh Chargers’ first win was a big one, as they sit on the top of the ladder after one round of action. Meanwhile for the Cannons, they sit unfamiliarly towards the bottom of the ladder, after being defeated by the Murray Bushrangers at Yarrawonga. The AFL Draft Central scouts were able to attend four games this week, and we took detailed notes on who we thought were the standouts in each game.

GEELONG FALCONS VS. SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS

By Julia Montesano

Geelong Falcons:

#27: Denby Taylor

So composed in the back-line, and was able to take a mark running back with the flight of the ball. Laid some great tackles in the second quarter especially, when Sandringham was putting the Falcons under the pump. Her speed was a factor in defence, particularly when she chased down and tackled a Dragons forward. This really changed the momentum of the game, as Sandringham was pushing the Geelong defence. Taylor was able to clear the ball out quickly at multiple times, thanks to her quick thinking and quick hands.

#39: Tarryn Love

Love’s acceleration stood out on the day, as she was able to get away from her opponent when they were attempting to lay a tackle on her. She was able to move the ball quickly and well. Her run and carry off half-back was exceptional, nobody could stop her. She not only made some great defensive efforts, but she was able to run into the middle of the ground and make an impact. One of the fastest players on the ground that was able to stand up at multiple times throughout the game.

#33: Zoe Inei

Inei did all the hard work in the ruck, but her impact was felt more so around the ground. Showed great intent to chase down players, especially in the middle of the ground, where the ball was won and lost. Was able to clear the ball into space, allowing her teammates to run onto the ball and execute a running style of footy that proved successful. Got plenty of the ball in the middle of the ground where it mattered. Simply monstered through her opponents, with her aggression and size. A massive force across the ground that helped the Falcons penetrate the ball into their forward line.

#18: Nina Morrison

Great speed out of the pack and in the middle of the ground. Good tackling and run-down chasing was evident early, and only improved throughout the game. Was able to take a great mark while her opponent pushed her under the ball, showing her strength in the contest. Quick thinker, and used her footy smarts to hack the ball onto her boot and clear it into space. Morrison was always zipping around the contest, and was able to chase down players of any size especially in the heart of the contest. Did well to accelerate away from the Dragons midfielders at multiple times.

#42: Sachi DeGiacomi

Played a great role down forward, not only kicking goals but providing plenty of assists. DeGiacomi was able to kick the ball right onto the chest of Lucy McEvoy at multiple times, and both combined for some great highlights in the forward line. To me, she was the link in the chain in the forward 50, getting plenty of score involvements throughout the afternoon. She had quick hands and quick feet, particularly when she elected to kick the ball off the ground to move it deeper into the forward line. Displayed good strength to break away from the play and push away two players while running into goal. Ended up with three majors herself- a reward for a good day inside 50.

Others:

#6: Paige Sheppard

Sheppard’s endurance was the most impressive on the ground. She was able to cover all areas of the ground, despite playing in the forward pocket. Was able to accumulate a lot of the footy in the back-line, and executed some great kicks under pressure. At one point, she was wrestled off the ball but kept her feet, showing her great core strength.

#7: Olivia Purcell

Purcell started off her day with a strong tackle in the middle of the ground, and from then I just knew she was going to be unstoppable. Tackling was on-show all day, and to me she looked like a mini Ebony Marinoff! Always put her head over the footy, and got it out of the contest, whether it was a kick, handball or a simple tap. Was able to follow up on her efforts around the ground. She dropped a mark, then quickly picked the ball up and kicked it around her body.

#36: Abbey Chapman

Great run and carry off half-back. Was able to back herself and clear the ball into space. Evident in the third quarter when she backed her speed, took a few bounces and sent the ball into the middle of the ground. Was able to take plenty of great marks, and stood tall in the defensive 50 multiple times.

#23: Lucy McEvoy

The Geelong captain worked extremely well with Sachi DeGiacomi in the forward 50. Was able to capitalise on some great assists, and slotted in well into her new role up forward. Missed two set shots but was still able to get two majors on the board for her side. Teared it up in the forward line, and will only improve as the season goes on.

#26: Mia Skinner

Kicked a great goal in the first quarter to start off her day. Protected the footy really well when she marked the ball. Had a good day up forward, where she was able to complement the bigger bodies of Lucy McEvoy and Sachi DeGiacomi. Skinner was zipping around the ball deep in the forward line, putting pressure on the Dragons defenders.

Sandringham Dragons:

#5: Winnie Laing

Laing was able to put her head over the footy in the heart of the contest. Was always around the contest and attacking the ball. She got plenty of the ball through the middle of the ground, and was an integral part of Sandringham’s fight-back late in the game. Used her footy smarts to wrestle the ball from the Geelong midfielders at crucial times throughout the game.

#7: Eliza McNamara

McNamara was able to burst out of the pack, especially in the middle of the ground. Was able to fight hard for the ball on numerous occasions, and combine her speed and power to penetrate the ball forward for the Dragons. Worked well with Laing around the contest, and together, they orchestrated the Sandringham fight-back in the midfield.

#2: Sophie Rothfield

Had plenty of good moments during the game, and was the best-on-ground when it came to one percenters. She displayed some good work to push Geelong’s Mia Skinner under the ball, after Rothfield followed up her dropped mark. She ensured that the Falcons didn’t get their hands on the ball at crucial parts of the ground. Good kick and shepherd to allow her teammate to run forward. Executed all the little things during the day

#43: Bryanna Arnold

Scrapped in hard for the footy throughout the day. Good clearing kick out of the back line, creating space for her teammates to run onto the ball and penetrate it forward. She even did this in the forward line, when she got a free kick at the top of the 50, and booted it to the goal square. Was able to work towards the front of the ground, highlighting her impressive endurance. Has a long kick for a small player!

#1: Isabella Stutt

Was pivotal in the forward line for the Dragons, kicking two of her side’s four majors. Dug in deep for her side when Geelong was starting to take control. Used all of her energy to run onto the footy when it was kicked into space, but was unlucky that two Falcons were there to mop it up. Read the footy really well, particularly when she was delivered a magnificent centering kick from her teammate. Was able to convert in front of goal, and will be able hit the scoreboard frequently throughout the season.

Others:

#15: Abbie McKay

Displayed great acceleration out of the back-line. But also did some great work in the middle of the ground. She had quick hands and was able to clear the ball out of congestion. Her endurance was fantastic.

#9: Eleanor Brown

Was able to kick the ball into space plenty of times throughout the match. What impressed me most was that she kept running after she kicked the ball, following up on every effort she performed on the ground.

#45: Sarah Hartwig

Broke through the contest with some impressive clearances. Her strength in the contest was very impressive, and was one of the stars in the middle of the ground.

#8: Nicole Amiet

Managed to kick the ball into the right area at multiple times throughout the game. Her ability to find space was remarkable, and she was able to use it to advantage to get her team forward.

#18: Alanna Dalley

Tried hard in the ruck against Geelong’s Zoe Inei. Got the ball down to her midfielders plenty of times. Has a great leap that could be damaging against the smaller sides of the competition.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS VS. NORTHERN KNIGHTS

Dandenong Stingrays:

#1: Shelley Heath

Heath played in defence and up until three quarter time was best on ground in my opinion, despite her team losing. She started strongly with a great run-down tackle at half-forward and set the tone for the rest of her teammates. She stopped a certain goal with an outreached hand on the goal line and produced some of the best defensive pressure on the field. Heath not only showed defensive attributes, but was strong offensively, running down the wing and breaking the game open. She also was proactive in defence, rebounding nearly everything that came her way, absorbing Northern’s pressure like a sponge. She teamed up well with captain Jordyn Allen, who was often on the receiving end of Heath’s rebounds.

#3: Courtney Jones

Jones was not a huge possession winner, but she was one I was interested to watch given the high wraps on her heading into the match. In the few glimpses I saw, I was impressed with her composure under pressure and her ability to weigh up her options before disposing of the football. She kicked out on occasion early on and that gives an indication of the expectations placed upon her kicking skills.

#15: Jordyn Allen

The Dandenong Stingrays’ captain was everywhere and certainly one of the best. She is a strong overhead mark, intercepts nearly anything that comes her way, and she opens up the game for her teammates. Her vision and ability to see teammates before they have even seen her is a real asset to her game. She loves to fend off players and almost always tries to spin out of trouble. I did notice a couple of times she spun to a left-dominant side yet still kicked with her right foot, so this is something that she might work on over time. Sometimes she can over kick the ball a little, but on most occasions she puts the ball into space to demand a teammate to run onto it. Overall a really impressive game.

#26: Isabella Shannon

I was quite impressed with Shannon’s game up forward. She moves well and snapped a couple of goals at important times when the game was in the Knights’ favour. She also moved up the ground and won possessions in the midfield and she just has that knack of moving smoothly through traffic. She is a hunter of the football just getting to every contest she could and having eyes for the ball. At times her disposal could be tidied up a little, but as an inside midfielder/forward she certainly stood out.

#35: Lucinda Cripps

The Stingrays’ full-back was a rock of consistency. She is strong one-on-one, rarely gets beaten overhead and is a reliable kick by foot. At times under pressure her disposal by hand was not as clean, but her defensive attributes, particularly one-on-one and the one percenters were a joy to watch and she could be one to keep an eye on throughout the season.

Others:

#18: Saige Bayne

Laid a great tackle in the second half to earn a free kick.

#19: Brooke Borchard

Produced a great smother on the goal line to stop a certain goal.

#31: Brooke Vernon

I was impressed with her clean hands off a volley from the deck and turned around to dispose of it cleanly.

#51: Zoe Hill

Another player who worked hard to stop a certain goal in the second term.

#55: Harmony Thomas

Was quiet early but took a huge contested grab in the final term which indicates there’s a lot more to come from her this season.

Northern Knights:

#5: Maddy Brancatisano

The Northern Knights captain is a pure inside midfielder who just crashes into the contest with no regard for her own safety. She lays fierce tackles and does all the right one percenters to assist her teammates and bring them into the game. Her first touch could improve, but her inside work burrowing under packs and forcing the ball free really adds a strong dimension to the Knights’ inside brigade.

#6: Alyssa Bannan

At three quarter time I thought she had been a really solid contributor. Three minutes later she was best on ground. Bannan booted three goals in the opening few minutes of the final term and broke the game open, shutting the door on any chance of a Stingrays revival. It is hard not to award her best on ground honours purely for that three minute purple patch as it won Northern the game. But it was not just her last quarter heroics that impressed me. Earlier on in the first quarter, she showed fantastic composure to pick up the ball cleanly, take a bounce running inside 50 and then take a shot on the run from 20m out. 

#7: Abigail Bennett

The lightly-framed Bennett is a quick thinker with good skills. She played through the midfield and up forward, using pinpoint kicking to hit up targets over short distances. When inside 50, she positioned herself well under the drop zone and protected the ball making it hard for opponents to spoil. Her hard work to get into space paid off in the last term when she capped off her performance with a goal. One of the better Knights on the day for sure.

#23: Gabby Newton

The top star for mine from the Knights. She was the one I was most interested to see given the high wraps around the bottom-age star and she did not disappoint. I do not use the word lightly, but she has “elite” hands in traffic, reminding a bit of Matt Crouch when he was playing at the Rebels a few years ago. Newton seems to slot in everywhere, but she is a really balanced player, both offensively and defensively and that player you can use in transition. She even spent time in the ruck, winning a clean hitout to a teammate. Her tackling is immense, laying a number of bone-crunching tackles, so I think inside midfield is the way to go, with stints up forward where she could hit the scoreboard as well.

#24: Alex Pronesti

Pronesti did not win as much of the footy as her teammates, playing up forward in a strong team effort, but when she did, she did not waste a disposal. She became the first goal kicker in the team for the season, using great composure to sidestep an opponent, straighten up and goal from 30 metres out. She just has the air of class and she does not need to win a heap of the football to have a damaging influence on the contest.

Others:

#3: Nell Morris-Dalton

Really strong overhead, became a target up forward early and took a good contested mark. Her shot on goal missed, but she has a good presence there.

#12: Olivia Dikranis

Took the game on at one stage coming out of defence, was caught and pinged but earned the trust back with a smother from the resulting free kick.

#22: Britney Gutknecht

Had a few very nice highlights coming out of the middle, using great speed and agility to boot the ball forward.

#32: Ashley Snow

Showed a good sidestep out of traffic in defence and her agility shone.

EASTERN RANGES VS. GWV REBELS

Eastern Ranges:

#3: Emerson Woods

The AFLW Academy member had no trouble exerting her influence on the game and was one of the more consistent four-quarter performers on the day. Woods’ strengths lie in her ability to cover ground and do all the defensive things right. She tackles, lays bumps, sets up her teammates and is really strong one-on-one. This strength was emphasised late in the game when she took a huge contested mark at half-back. She just kept popping up around the ground and if you tracked her distance covered, it would be considerably high. A few times her kicks would be a little errant, but as an overall game she was certainly one of the better performers in a good team effort.

#21: Mikala Cann

Another player who I had heard big wraps about crossing from an athletics background, and did not disappoint. I expected the speed and athleticism, but Cann also provided plenty of defensive pressure as well, laying a number of strong tackles. In close, Cann was really strong with clean hands and danced around opponents as if she was working in a telephone box. Managed to save a certain goal with a touch on the line too. Cann also showed off her great acceleration in the third term, burning off opponents by sprinting away from the centre stoppage. Later on she sprinted forward, grabbed the ball off the deck, snapped but just missed. A top performer on the day.

#26: Tarni Brown

Brown is one player who really caught my eye on the weekend because of her super speed and agility. The amount of times she tucked the ball under her arm and put on the afterburners and just left players in her dust was quite phenomenal. In one passage of play later in the game, she sidestepped a couple of opponents, weaved through traffic, straightened up and hit-up a target inside 50. She also sold a fair bit of candy on the day, showing she has confidence in spades and it is no surprise given she is the daughter of Collingwood legend Gavin Brown, and brother to Collingwood-listed pair Callum and Tyler Brown.

#37: Georgia Macpherson

One of the players that just picked up where she left off last year – as a damaging rebound defender. Macpherson started her day playing on opposing AFLW Academy member Georgia Clarke, but played on a multitude of opponents, moving from half-back to a wing at times. She is one of the best marks in the competition, rarely beaten one-on-one and rarely dropping the pill in the air. She is also a really strong kick and hits up targets over short, medium or long distances. To go with this, Macpherson also has top vision and can open up the play with her decision making. In one instance she actually tried to make a play happen before her teammates were ready and the ball was intercepted given Clarke read the play first, but more often than not she was able to really get the run going from half-back. An instance that was one of the plays of the day was in the final term, where she intercepted a ball in front of her at half-back, received a shepherd from a teammate and did not break stride as she sprinted down the wing, producing a pinpoint kick to her teammate.

#46: Sarah Kendall

One player who I thought covered a fair bit of ground and was one of the better performers on the day was Sarah Kendall. She seemed to slot into defence, midfield and up forward because of her ability to stand tall in a marking contest and clunk a grab. Kendall is a booming kick and as the game went on it seemed to improve in terms of accuracy and depth. She had a couple of kicks early clearing the area, then showed that she can size up her options with more time and space. When forward she was a clear target, taking a few grabs and being the figurehead inside the forward 50.

Others:

#9: Paige Buruma

In one instance she tucked the ball under her arm and at full speed, managed to find a target up forward.

#16: Emma Horne

I liked her defensive ability one-on-one, winning a number of crucial contests.

#22: Catherina Chamberlain

She did not win a heap of it, but used her speed to set up a goal and her attack on the ball inside forward 50 was a real highlight.

#42: Marina Taverna

The Ranges’ multiple goal-scorer is a good focal point up forward. She leads to the hole inside forward 50 and protects the drop zone to mark in front of her opponent. She kicked a couple and earned them because of her smarts around goal.

#47: Jess Proven

Like Taverna, booted two goals but both came in the first term., She worked incredibly hard sprinting from the midfield to run onto the ball and kick the opening goal of the game, then kicked another inside 50 shortly after. Proven was a bit rushed in her field kicking, but strong overhead and strong standing up in a tackle to get her hands free.

GWV:

#16: Lauren Butler

The GWV Rebels captain was consistent throughout the match, playing her part through the midfield and down back. She is composed with the ball in hand, a trait which shone when under pressure. Butler weighed up her options before disposing of the football and did not put a foot wrong. There were others who might have stood out more, but defensively Butler was a star, laying quite a few tackles to keep the opposition guessing every time they were nearby.

#18: Sophie Van De Heuvel

One of three AFLW Academy members, Van De Heuvel started slowly for mine but worked her way into being one of the better players on the day. She played up forward a bit and then through the midfield, with a knack of positioning herself well, taking a strong mark and then using her foot skills to hurt opposing players. She is one of the better kicks in the competition and she has that vision to hit up teammates who might be running laterally, mixing things up and keeping the game flowing rather than stop-starting or predictably kicking long. Given how she finished the game, particularly in the third term, it will be great to see how she follows on from this performance with the round one cobwebs out of the way.

#21: Denver Henson

The midfielder caught my eye early reading the ball off the first hit-out and taking a first few quick steps before kicking long inside 50. Henson has clean hands and works hard to win the footy, while also taking the game on. In one instance she picked up the ball on the wing, had a run and used her composure to deliver the ball well inside forward 50. Another player who might sneak under opposition guard given her highly regarded teammates, but certainly is capable of doing some damage.

#23: Sophie Molan

Molan’s work at full-back was really impressive. Her key attributes are her strength and ability to position herself well one-on-one, rarely losing a contest. In one scenario she was on the wrong side of her opponent (because an opposition player had naturally kicked to direct opposition’s favour), but she worked hard to reposition herself and get a fist on it, then back up with a rebound to clear for her side. Additionally, her rebounding and disposal by foot was quite good and she consistently applied pressure in the defensive 50.

#25: Georgia Clarke

Heading into the match, I suspected she might be the one to watch given the high wraps and she lived up to expectations. She is a really smart player who anticipates situations before they happen and is a key link in the Rebels’ transition movement. Clarke is someone who ideally would play forward because of her contested marking, positioning and ability to read the play. But you get the feeling she will also spend a fair bit of time through the midfield in order to open the game up and use her good foot skills to advantage. She seems like a player who is constantly switched on, intercepting a pass inside forward 50 and then having the smarts to deliver the short pass to an open teammate in the pocket. Hardly put a foot wrong all day.

Others:

#27: Nyakoat Dojiok

Her football skills were off, but her acceleration and agility was bordering on unbelievable. She would grab the ball and seemingly glide past multiple players without them laying a hand on her at times. If she can sharpen up her disposal, she has the athletic tools to be a wildcard in the team.

#28: Isabella Simmons

Worked really hard, running on inside forward 50 and kicking a good goal.

#41: Kayetlan Harris

For a taller player, Harris’ agility and turning circle was quite impressive.

GIPPSLAND POWER VS. OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

Gippsland:

#6: Emily Haeusler

I was ultra impressed with Haeusler’s game because for mine, she was the next best after Tyla Hanks for the Power. The reason being, while others might win more of the ball, each time I saw her dispose of it, she used it really well. More importantly, she was able to dispose of it under pressure, both by hand or foot. The attributes she showed certainly suggested there’s talent there and she also has that defensive side to her game, laying a number of fierce tackles and burrowing in defensively. It just means she can play inside or outside and hit targets regardless of her role or pressure she might be under.

#8: Chandra Abrahams

Abrahams’ positioning seems to be her greatest strength because she played at half-forward and positioned herself well to protect the ball drop. One-on-one she is solid and clearly has smarts in that area, so will be good to see how she progresses through the season. Playing up forward she did not get a heap of looks, but presented on multiple occasions which was promising for a leading forward.

#27: Nikia Webber

A reliable defensive effort from Webber who held her own more often than not. One-on-one she is strong and took a really good defensive mark going back with the flight. Along with her strength and good one-on-one body work, Webber showed a high work rate by her efforts at the defensive end. She was one of the better and more consistent Power players on the day and certainly helped stall the Chargers’ attack somewhat.

#28: Tyla Hanks

The clear standout for Gippsland and it’s no surprise why the Power co-captain is one player who will be carefully watched by clubs over the course of the year. Hanks might only be 158cm, but she has impressive offensive and defensive attributes. She has a huge work rate which sees her win possessions in each third of the ground, primarily playing as an inside midfielder. She is a reliable kick of the football, but her greatest strength is her quick hands and smart thinking which can release a teammate on the outside. She often looks for the give-and-go, trying to break open the game from half-back or along the wing. More often than not, Hanks just willed herself to the contest and it was clear the opposition was aware of her influence, keeping an eye on her throughout the match. She intercepted a number of Oakleigh attacking movements and got the ball back on her terms. No doubt she is the kind of player Gippsland would love to have in spades because she just produces over four quarters.

#57: Jazz Ferguson

Ferguson played in the ruck and off half-back and battled hard throughout the game. She is not as quick as others, but she is strong and looked to break the game open through brute strength and fend-offs. While she might not have been considered one of the best on the day, you could see there is a bit to work with there, and having not come from a footballing background, there were at least some promising signs. She always had a crack and had a few extra smarts, which included a couple of deft taps forward when she knew she was unable to take possession cleanly. In one instance, Ferguson charged off half-back, won the ball and and hit up a target through the midfield. I felt she got better as the game went on, which is something to look forward to in future games.

Others:

#7: Leila Raymond

Laid some good tackles and earned a free kick for going in hard.

#17: Seanen Trewin

Copped a couple of hard knocks later in the game, but worked into the match well, laying a goal-saving tackle in the final term.

#30: Alana Rippon

Positioned herself well in marking contests and showed good running through the middle.

#31: Leyla Berry

Had a real glimpse of her speed with the athletics state medallist racing away from a contest.

#50: Matilda Van Berkel

On multiple occasions Van Berkel showed super quick hands in close, which was promising.

#58: Amy Dunn

Took a strong mark in the second quarter and kicked the Power’s only goal. Also performed admirably in the ruck, often against taller opponents.

#65: Julia Redmond

Took a few strong goal-saving marks in defence.

Oakleigh Chargers:

#14 Hannah McLaren

McLaren started the day as an inside midfielder, progressed up forward and then settled into the defence. She showed off her versatility and ability to play anywhere, in particular her strength both above her head and at ground level. She has a tendency to clunk a mark and continue her motion moving forward, which can unsettle the opposition because of her ability to not let them break and set up defensively. At half-forward, McLaren took a strong overhead mark and looked a lively target, while in defence, she read the play well and timed her leads right to either spoil or clunk a contested mark in front of her opponent. In one instance she took the grab, kept running but unfortunately got pinged for holding the ball. Sometimes she rushes her kicks a little, but the endeavour and her play-reading ability is certainly there.

#19 Emily Harley

A solid rock in defence. She was rarely beaten one-on-one and just took intercept mark after intercept mark, backing back into the contest and playing her opponent under the ball to put herself in best position to mark. In one instance she marked on the goal line to stop a Gippsland goal and cleared it back out of the defensive 50. Along with her marking, her body work and ability to back herself coming out of defence was good.

#30 Gemma Lagioia

Lagioia is a player I had not heard much about coming into the match, but for me she was the most damaging midfielder for the Chargers. It is a big call, but she might be one of the best kicks in the TAC Cup competition, with her ability to not only penetrate over long distances, but spear a pass to a leading forward. The amount of times she teamed up with Daisy Bateman to impact the scoreboard was amazing. Along with her elite foot skills, she is really good one-on-one in the air and also brings her teammates into the match. In one instance deep inside her forward 50, Lagioia was under pressure and allowed a couple of opponents to come at her so she could time a handball to release Melanie Burtuna on the outside to snap a goal. A real talent here.

#38 Daisy Bateman

The star up forward who is equally athletically talented as she is skilful. She booted a couple of goals in the first term, including an amazing goal from the boundary line, then proceeded to be the most damaging forward on the field. She won a one-on-one against a bigger defender, showing off her strength and more important, balance, in the contest. Bateman also has super acceleration and agility which was seen by her ability to back herself against an opponent hugged up against the boundary line, weave around them and sprint into the corridor leaving them in her wake. Not only did she crumb, but she lead up at teammates and just ran into the open space which her teammates honoured her leads. Bateman set up Melanie Burtuna with a goal, and had a number of other impressive plays deep inside 50, showing off her good vision and football IQ.

#41 Katie Lynch

A real utility, Lynch covered ground well across the four quarters. Early on she had an attempt on goal which just missed, then marked the kick back out from the opposition defender, negotiated the breeze perfectly and slotted it through the middle. The next stoppage she was in the centre square, won the clearance and sprinted away, showing off some good pace and movement through traffic. Lynch also worked hard throughout the game, got free and found herself all alone in the goal square later on to mark and goal, a reward for her hard running.

Others:

#2 Jasmine D’Amato

D’Amato had really good pace and agility, sprinting away from the contest and was one of the Chargers’ better players in the win, linking up the midfield into the forward 50.

#11 Bridie Winbanks

The dominant ruck on the day, Winbanks towered over her opponents and was effective in her hitouts, with the opposition trying to read it off her hands. She used her strength on a couple of occasions to fend off her opponents and boot the ball forward.

#16 Alana Porter

The pacy midfielder sprinted away from a stoppage and looked to have set her sights on goal in the first term, but was taken down in a fierce tackle.

#17 Nicola Xenos

Another Oakleigh player who covered the ground well and won possessions in all thirds of the ground. She won a crucial hard ball at ground level through the midfield and got the ball moving in the Chargers’ direction, found space inside 50 and took an uncontested mark, and moments later won a free kick inside defensive 50.

#29 Melanie Burtuna

Burtuna is your stereotypical dangerous small forward. She constantly buzzed around the packs and was rewarded with three goals. Burtuna also set up a goal with a nice lateral kick to Georgia Byrne.