A HALF dozen games take place over Round 4 of the Coates Talent League Girls competition, with one of those already done and dusted last night. The Geelong Falcons triumphed over the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels, but there are still five matches remaining – four of which take place today on Good Friday.

Both these teams entered the fray last week and came away with impressive wins. The Northern Knights travelled up to Wangaratta and brought back the four points from a comprehensive win over Murray Bushrangers. It was a similar story at Kilsyth Recreation Reserve, as Eastern Ranges kicked away from Dandenong Stingrays in the second half to record a memorable win.

TOP-AGE DRAFT WATCH:

Tasmania Devils:

#14 Ava Jordan (Northern Knights)
29/04/2005 | 148cm | Midfielder/Forward

The talented pocket rocket is trying out a new role in 2023, with Jordan looking to cement her spot as a forward. Standing at 148cm, she has the talent to make it to the next level, but it would likely be as a pressure forward. Boasting high-level offensive and defensive traits, Jordan can do a lot of damage inside 50 this year.

#14 Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges)
01/07/2005 | 162cm | Forward

A good contender to win the leading goalkicker award, the AFLW Academy member booted four goals upon from a long-term knee injury. She was clean, clever and dangerous whenever within range, and is a nightmare matchup for the opposition. If there is one player who can win a game off her own boot, it is Pisano.

#10 Laura Stone (Eastern Ranges)
22/11/2005 | 170cm | Midfielder/Defender

Producing a best on ground performance in Round 1, Stone is a quality midfielder who has transitioned from being a running half-back. A reliable user by hand or foot, Stone creates a lot of run down the ground and makes her teammates better.

FUTURE STARS:

#46 Phoebe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
15/07/2007 | 158cm | Forward/Midfielder

Making her debut last week, Hargreaves was one of a number of bottom and double bottom-agers who caught the eye for the Knights. Clean at ground level and strong in the air that defies her 158cm height, Hargreaves looks one to watch in the front half of the ground be it inside 50 or in the midfield.

#22 Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges)
09/09/2006 | 175cm | Midfielder/Forward

Eastern has no shortage of future talents, but Belloni showed promising development last round. Moving well between midfield and forward, the taller talent kicked a goal and looked dangerous going inside 50. With plenty of potential, Belloni will be one who can add more strings to her bow over time.

PREDICTION:

Two of the stronger metropolitan regions from the look of it in Round 3, Eastern Ranges are arguably the premiership favourites this season. Expect them to be the team to beat in this game, though based off the form Northern produced last week, the Knights can give a super competitive effort and make it entertaining football as well.

AROUND THE GROUNDS:

Gippsland Power vs. Dandenong Stingrays
Friday, April 7 @ Morwell Recreation Reserve, 11am

Gippsland Power returns home with an 0-2 record in the 2023 season, facing off against a Dandenong Stingrays team that has managed one win from two games thus far. The visitors will still be favourites for the clash with AFLW Academy members Mikayla Williamson and Bianca Lyne leading the way, while the likes of Amber Schutte and Ash Centra combined for 16 marks last week and are hard to beat in the air.

Calder Cannons vs. Murray Bushrangers
Friday, April 7 @ Highgate Recreation Reserve, 12pm

Coming off a hard-fought win over Sandringham Dragons in Round 3, Calder Cannons will be favoured to go back-to-back against a Murray Bushrangers side that is yet to taste victory in season 2023. The Cannons have a strong inside midfield with the likes of Bridie Collings, Kayley Kavanagh and Amy Gaylor impressing. Murray’s defence, including Kaylea Kobzan and Kloe McElhinney have found plenty of the ball bravely defending in the opening three rounds.

Sandringham Dragons vs. Oakleigh Chargers
Friday, April 7 @ RSEA Park, 3:30pm

The metropolitan rivals face off in a mid-afternoon match, with the Dragons coming off a narrow loss to Calder Cannons, while Oakleigh booted 11 consecutive goals against Geelong Falcons. Jasmine Shepherd and Georgia Foran are a couple of defenders who will have big jobs for the Dragons, while bottom-agers Sienna Tallariti and Maggie Mahony impressed for the Chargers.

Bendigo Pioneers vs. Tasmania Devils
Saturday, April 8 @ Arden Street Oval, 11am

In the only standalone Saturday game of the round, Bendigo Pioneers host Tasmania Devils at Arden Street. Bendigo won in Round 1 against Murray Bushrangers, but have suffered back-to-back losses since, while the Devils remain undefeated from their two games. In Tasmania’s first trip to Victoria for 2023, Georgia Clark and Grace White will stretch the Pioneers defence, while Bendigo’s Lucia Painter and Lila Keck are the ones to watch from an attacking standpoint.