EASTERN Ranges lead the way in our Coates Talent League Girls Team of the Week for Round 4 with a fitting four nominations this week. The Ranges are ahead of fellow big winners, Dandenong Stingrays, Calder Cannons and Tasmania Devils who managed three, while Oakleigh Chargers, Geelong Falcons and GWV Rebels all picked up the two. The remaining five losing sides had the sole representative for this week.

Our Round 4 Player of the Week, Eastern Ranges’ Alyssia Pisano booted six goals from 15 disposals and was named our captain for the round, slotting into a forward pocket. She was in the side along with Laura Stone once again, while Grace Baba (back pocket) and Grace Belloni (interchange).

Dandenong Stingrays also had an impressive effort against Gippsland Power, with Jemaya Bressan racking up 31 disposals in a best on ground performance. The bottom-ager was named in the Team of the Week alongside Brooke Smith (half-forward) and Elli Symonds (ruck).

Calder Cannons kept Murray Bushrangers scoreless during a 71-point win at Highgate Recreation Reserve. Sarah Grunden stood out forward and pushing into the midfield, while Kyla Forbes and Kayley Kavanagh slotted into the team on the bench.

Tasmania Devils maintained their unbeaten streak with three players in the Team of the Week. The trio slotted into each third of the ground with best on ground Candice Belbin named onball, Tunisha Kikoak in defence and Georgia Clark in attack.

Oakleigh Chargers (two) and Sandringham Dragons (one) combined for three players in this week’s team, with key forward Emma McDonald named at centre half-forward for the Chargers. Winger Sarah Poustie and Dragons’ Scout Howden (half-back) also made the team.

Geelong Falcons and GWV Rebels played out a close game on Thursday night with both teams repping two players apiece in the side. The Falcons were headlined by bottom-ager Sara Howley in the centre, with captain Chloe Adams named on the bench. Isabella Davies can fill the other specialist wing role with Poustie, while key defender Millie Lang slots into centre half-back.

The remaining four players in the Team of the Week include players from three of the four country regions. Bendigo Pioneers’ Lucia Painter and Murray Bushrangers’ Kaylea Kobzan were named in the back six, while Northern Knights’ Ava Jordan and Gippsland Power’s Ash Centra were included on the bench.

The three emergencies for Round 4 are Amy Gaylor (Calder Cannons), Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights) and Lila Keck (Bendigo Pioneers).

2023 TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 4

B: Grace Baba (Eastern Ranges) – Kaylea Kobzan (Murray Bushrangers) – Tunisha Kikoak (Tasmania Devils)
HB: Scout Howden (Sandringham Dragons) – Millie Lang (GWV Rebels) – Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)
C: Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers) – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons) – Isabella Davies (GWV Rebels)
HF: Jemaya Bressan (Dandenong Stingrays) – Emma McDonald (Oakleigh Chargers) – Brooke Smith (Dandenong Stingrays)
F: Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges) (c) – Georgia Clark (Tasmania Devils) – Sarah Grunden (Calder Cannons)
R: Elli Symonds (Dandenong Stingrays) – Laura Stone (Eastern Ranges) – Candice Belbin (Tasmania Devils)
INT: Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons) – Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges) – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power) – Kyla Forbes (Calder Cannons) – Ava Jordan (Northern Knights) – Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons)

EMG: Amy Gaylor (Calder Cannons) – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights) – Lila Keck (Bendigo Pioneers)