ROUND 4 of the Coates Talent League Girls competition rolled on over the Easter Weekend, with another six matches taking place. As always we scoured the half dozen games and picked out some of the impressive players from those clashes. All scouting notes are the opinion of the individual writer.

>> Coates Talent League Girls Round 4 wrap

By: Peter Williams

GWV REBELS:

#1 Isabella Davies

The bottom-age winger was again a consistent, hard worker on the outside, accumulating 22 disposals and four inside 50s, while laying six tackles. Her strength for a small both with ball-in-hand and in aerial contests is very impressive, and she is clean off the deck with a nice first few steps. She uses power to shrug off would-be tacklers and saved a goal with a great tackle in the third term. Often playing behind the ball as a defensive winger, Davies uses her smarts to get into the right areas then take off to go forward and set up scoring chains.

#5 Jessica Rentsch

Taking off more than just about any other player, Rentsch is constantly looking to break the lines and worry the opposition defensive setups. Though at times she can run herself into trouble, the AFLW Academy member has become accustomed to shrugging off would-be tacklers and getting the ball away. She was clean off the deck and is quick to dispose of it when she does get tackled.

#11 Molly Walton

The over-age midfielder looked strong for the Rebels finding her fair share of the ball and trying to bustle through the stoppages to get it forward. Helping get back to assist the defence then sneaking forward to even have a couple of chances on goal, Walton never stopped across the four quarters. Her execution under pressure is the question mark as well as that explosiveness off the mark, but when she has the time and space she can be quite impactful off half-back, with her defensive attributes impressive.

#15 Millie Lang

The tall defender was outstanding once again and the standout Rebel from an impact perspective. Lang positioned herself soundly behind the ball en route to 26 disposals, four marks and 11 rebound 50s, but even pushed up the ground and had a deep inside 50 at one point. Her one-on-one ability and elite left foot kick makes her such a rare talent, and while she is just a bottom-ager, has enormous potential for the future. Lang not only competes strongly in the air, but is competitive at ground level as well.

#16 Brook Ward

Another bottom-ager who caught the eye with her work in the midfield, Ward has that touch of class in winning the ball, being clean at ground level. She reads the ball well off hands at the stoppages and takes it cleanly, and while her execution at times can be a little rushed, her technique itself is impressive. Just the 12 disposals, but laid seven tackles and was one of the more eye-catching midfielders.

#24 Lily Jordan

Though she did not kick a bag as she has each week thus far, adding the one goal to her total, Jordan was still influential in the forward half. While best known for her offensive play, Jordan was well held to six disposals – all kicks – in the match, but she laid a team-high 11 tackles. It showed the small forward can play that pressure game if things are not going her way, with her one major being a clever gather off a stoppage, snap and goal.

GEELONG FALCONS:

#1 Lucy Marescuk

Has some impressive traits, and Marescuk continues to feature between wing and half-forward, mostly utilised for her link-up play going inside 50, as well as her defensive pressure. Marescuk has a nice little burst and can take the game on with quick thinking, but her execution at times can let her down. Her set shot on goal 20m out early in the third term hit the post, with another chance early bouncing through for a behind. Finds space really well each week.

#6 Chloe Bryant

Working hard in the middle, Bryant racked up 25 disposals to play a supporting role in there to Howley and Adams, as she would spread well and find some ball on the outside as well as inside. One of a number of bottom-agers at the Falcons, Bryant did well early to shrug off a tackle at half-back and kick down the wing, with her second efforts – such a repeat contests in the third term starting at a centre clearance – among the highlights in her game.

#7 Sara Howley

It was a massive performance from Howley who was sublime in her work around the ground, totalling a league-high 36 disposals, as well as three marks, five inside 50s, six rebound 50s and eight tackles. She was terrific from a pressure sense, and also impacted offensively despite not hitting the scoreboard. Her full performance will be noted down in this week’s Player Focus.

#8 Mekah Morrissy

Morrissy plays the wing role to perfection with her hard running up and down the ground and capacity to find the ball all over the field. She generally uses the ball well when given the chance, and especially when allowed time and space. Morrissy showed a good act of sportsmanship after a crunching bump on Davies to help her up, but continue to remain aggressive in her attack on the football with eight tackles for the night. She got on the end of one with a nice running goal later in the second term.

#25 Chloe Adams

The captain was her typical self, providing plenty of defensive pressure, while being offensively impactful with ball-in-hand. Dual-sided, Adams is just clean by hand or foot particularly when given the freedom of mopping up behind the stoppages, and makes good decisions with her ball use. She laid another whopping 13 tackles to go with her 26 disposals, and showed off her big tank with eight inside 50s and six rebound 50s.

#61 Madeline Seebeck

The Falcons defender accumulated the ball well throughout the came, picking up 22 disposals and five rebound 50s, also pushing up the ground. She mopped up a number of Rebels forward forays and brought the heat close to the contest. A kick-first player, Seebeck is just solid across multiple areas and one who is reliable in the back half.

By: Peter Williams

GIPPSLAND POWER:

#15 Jasmine Sowden

The bottom-age talent showed some promising signs in the best of her three games thus far with the Power. She was clean off the deck and did it multiple times including a one-handed gather and burst away one minute into the final term. Though at times her kicks might fall a little short, her athletic traits and clean hands were what caught the eye on the way to 16 disposals in the Power’s loss.

#16 Ash Centra

Capable of playing anywhere on the field, Centra looks comfortable behind the ball with her incredible marking and kicking giving the opposition some headaches. She will almost always clunk anything in her area, then makes good decisions by hand or foot, able to nail targets 40-plus metres away. She had the 21 touches, seven marks and nine rebound 50s in a clear standout performance and is the most nonchalant player when it comes to being tackled, not even worried in the slightest by giving off a handball cleanly with an opposition player hanging off her.

#21 Amber Schutte

The rebounding defender tried hard all match and though her numbers were down on the previous week – with just 12 disposals, one mark and three rebound 50s – she was still competitive and battled on across four quarters. On a couple of occasions Schutte was pinged for holding the ball, but her gathering of the footy off the deck and her determination to run with ball-in-hand was admirable.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS:

#3 Ruby Murdoch

Murdoch won her fair share of the ball through the middle of the ground running hard between the arcs. Often Murdoch would flick off a quick handball or use it effectively down the ground, looking to move the ball in transition. She finished with the 14 disposals, two marks, two tackles and two inside 50 possessing a strong technique and capable of gathering the ball at ground level under pressure.

#5 Sophie Butterworth

The key forward booted two goals from four scoring shots and had a number of other opportunities within the game as a target inside 50. She kicked her first off a great snap 11 minutes into the second term with another set shot goal just a couple of minutes later, Almost kicking three goals in four minutes, she had a flying snap off her preferred left boot but it just missed for one behind. Overall, Butterworth presented well and worked hard inside 50.

#6 Jemma Ramsdale

Playing the majority of the game in defence and pushing up the ground to hold a high line, before being switched forward late in the game, the Rays’ skipper saw plenty of it. Instead of a deep kick-out role, Ramsdale had more freedom in streaming down the ground and was able to set up a number of scoring chains inside 50. Though rushing her disposals at times, she was able to clear the ball deep inside 50, then got forward herself in the final term to have a couple of running shots which missed resulting in two behinds. Ramsdale recorded 17 disposals, five marks and laid nine tackles for her troubles.

#7 Mikayla Williamson

The AFLW Academy member worked hard around the ground and was strong at the contest, laying some good tackles and feeding out quick handballs, Her kicking on the weekend was a little better with a few more hit-up passes, or long clearing kicks to space. She won a number of clearances and then found space on the outside as she amassed 26 disposals, six marks, four tackles and four inside 50s, setting up Jess Pacevski for a goal in the second term via hand.

#10 Brooke Smith

Enjoying a solid overage season, Smith booted 2.3 from 18 disposals, but critically laid 13 tackles in an outstanding defensive performance. She missed a number of shots on goal she should have nailed, but her best came in the final term with an outstanding running goal from 45m. She also set up a major to Butler on the goalline. Overall she was strong overhead and at ground level, and pushed up the ground when required to rack up the kilometres.

#15 Jemaya Bressan

The bottom-ager racked up an impressive 31 disposals, four marks, six tackles, four inside 50s and a goal playing a hard-running midfield role. She kicked a clever goal 11 minutes into the match with a nice effort winning it off the half-volley. She pushed up the ground to win the ball in defence as well, producing a nice spoil close to the line on the edge of half-time, then used it well off half-back. Bressan’s play of the day came late in the third term where she had a nice pickup off the deck, kicked inside 50, pushed forward to win the ball again and use great vision to hit up Smith all alone 25m out from goal.

#24 Abbey Tregellis

The overage key forward was a strong target at half-forward, usually gathering the ball just outside the 50 and delivering it inside, then pushing hard and having a number of chances on goal. Unfortunately Tregellis could not quite finish off her efforts with 1.4 on the scoreboard in an effort that could have been a massive haul. Her sole goal came in the third term when from bombed it long from 50m for it to bounce home nicely.

#25 Jemma Reynolds

Another Stingray who has been quietly achieving this season, the bottom-ager was able to have some eye-catching plays on her way to 23 disposals, three marks and six inside 50s. Reynolds best play was a brilliant clearance out of the middle in the final term, with a couple of chances towards goal not quite going all the way. She continued to work hard and was utilised in getting the ball forward into scoring positions for her teammates.

#33 Eleanor Butler

Picking up the majority of her 10 disposals in the final term, Butler was thrown forward in the last quarter after playing defence for the first three. In that time she booted 3.2, with all three majors within close range. Though not seeing a lot of it due to it being up the other end for the first three quarters, Butler showcased her versatility by being thrown forward and impacted in a big way.

#45 Elli Symonds

The ruck had a day out against the Power, with the 177cm bottom-ager picking up 23 disposals, five marks, six tackles, 20 hitouts, three inside 50s and three rebound 50s in the win. She found a lot of her disposals in close and was able to accumulate like a midfielder, also getting forward to kick a goal off the deck midway through the third term.

By: Peter Williams

CALDER CANNONS:

#1 Maddison Albrecht

The bottom-ager played an impressive game that was arguably a little bit of finishing away from being even bigger. Albrecht ran hard and was super clean off the deck, with a number of nice pickups throughout the game. Albrecht did have one brain fade on the wing when she kicked the ball towards the boundary instead of gathering it, giving away a clear deliberate out of bounds and last touch. Overall though, Albrecht was one of the better players in the match.

#2 Reese Sutton

It might sound a little strange to say a player who kicked 0.2 could have kicked half a dozen majors with a bit more composure and accuracy but that was the case for Sutton who was everywhere inside 50. She took seven marks, quite often in space on the lead and laid the same amount of tackles, but was just that finishing ability off from a huge game. She missed a couple of shots through for behinds but there were several chances – both from set shots and in-play – that either fell short, went wide, or in one case where she was running into an open goal, took one too many bounces on the wet ground and it spilt. Worked hard all day and showed clever forward craft, just did not have a lot of luck.

#10 Stephanie Mitchell

Did not have as many disposals as others, but showed some promising traits and added some nice run through the middle. She was clever to find space and receive on the move, looking to puut the ball into dangerous positions. Midway through the last quarter, Mitchell snapped over her head for a clever goal, capping off a solid performance in assisting the midfield.

#18 Sarah Grunden

A standout performer inside 50, Grunden looked like she was playing with a dry ball. The top-ager enhanced her chances of getting a Metro call-up with an outstanding effort. She booted 3.2 from 18 disposals and five inside 50s, kicking her first goal from a set shot, then another classy goal out of nothing later in the second term. She would finish with the three goals and rarely make a blue with some impressive low bullets inside 50, but also provide some great run on the outside. One to watch this year.

#19 Kyla Forbes

A bottom-age talent who again showed promising signs for the Cannons, Forbes has outstanding footy smarts and does things that come to naturally gifted players such as deft taps or using vision to hit up targets in traffic. She was clean at ground level and had an outstanding pickup off the deck in the third term to quickly kick towards goal.Though that went through for a behind, she would kick a major when resting forward, taking a good mark on the lead and converting the set shot from 35m out.

#24 Amy Gaylor

The AFLW Academy member backed up her Round 3 performance with another 20-disposal game. In the wet conditions, the 171cm inside midfielder cracked in for eight tackles and showcased her outstanding awareness with a clean loose ball get, then spin and handball to a teammate. Her vision and spatial awareness is what stands out with her clean hands, and Gaylor has plenty of support in the midfield to help her around the stoppages.

#25 Kayley Kavanagh

A consistent ball winner, the 169cm Kavanagh accumulates the ball well, and like Gaylor applies good defensive pressure. She got on the end of one late in the match by running into space to nail the final goal of the match. Her work out of the middle set up a number of other scoring chances across the game, and was quite often a first possession winner at the coalface, delivering to her outside runners.

#39 Bridie Collings

Won her fair share of ball inside and outside, Collings is often the second possession winner running out of the stoppage or kicking clear quickly to get the ball forward. The top-ager was able to scoop the ball of the wet deck ad deliver to a teammate on a number of occasions, and though she missed a gettable chance three minutes into the second half, Collings still played a role in Calder’s win with 19 disposals, four tackles and four inside 50s.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS:

#5 Molly McLaren

The double bottom-ager continues to show plenty of dare and dash off half-back even when she does not win a lot of the football. When she does win it, McLaren looks to tuck the ball under her arm and take grass, applying fend offs and great evasion across the ground. At one point, McLaren, who only turned 15 last December, was using her voice to set up the defence. Her polish is an area that needs improving, but that will come, as her competitive nature, one-on-one ability for a small and athletic traits stand out.

#9 Holly Egan

A standout Bushranger through the middle, Egan is a prototype midfielder with her 175cm frame allowing her to win the ball in close and burst away, possessing some terrific athletic capabilities. She won another 12 disposals, but was critically clean under pressure and good below her knees. Still only a bottom-ager, there are certainly some promising traits in her game, and Egan seems to have the work rate to cover the ground well and apply defensive pressure.

#26 Kaylea Kobzan

Standing up in defence, Kobzan was again Murray’s biggest ball-winner playing on the last line. There was less aerial impact in Round 4 given the weather, but the defender still amassed 18 disposals and seven rebound 50s in a consistent performance. The left footer was often under immense pressure to dispose of the ball, but was also tasked with the kickouts. The conditions suited her booming kick, and while the defence was ultimately overwhelmed on the scoreboard by the final siren, Kobzan never stopped trying.

By: Michael Alvaro

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

#5 Zoe Hargreaves

Hargreaves backed up her promising debut with another powerful performance through midfield, collecting 16 disposals (15 kicks) through midfield before shifting forward. At 171cm, the bottom-ager has terrific balance over the ball and was able to burst away from stoppage several times, gathering cleanly before setting off with a strong first few steps. She looks like being a mainstay for the Knights over the next couple of seasons.

#11 Hannah Scott

After managing seven touches in Northern’s opening outing, Scott was kept extremely busy on Friday and more than tripled her output for 22 disposals in the Knights’ backline. Along with fellow top-ager Molly McErlain, Scott was her side’s main rebounding force and breached the defensive arc six times with constant efforts to mop up behind the ball, before jetting off in transition.

#14 Ava Jordan

As advertised during preseason, Jordan started as a small forward before being thrown into the midfield battle. She ended up being the Knights’ most prolific ball winner with 21 disposals, thriving with her smarts around the contest to dish out 16 handballs. Her ability to draw opponents before dishing off, and knack of winning high free kicks served her well – the latter when she snared a goal which made former Northern teammate Rylie Wilcox proud from the bench.

EASTERN RANGES:

#10 Laura Stone

Eastern’s top ball winner for the day, Stone won the first centre clearance and enjoyed a busy first half in midfield. She went on to win 21 disposals and nine inside 50s, using her turn of speed to find exits at stoppage but also proving clean for someone who has typically cut her teeth on the outside. Stone also laid eight tackles, shutting down opponents who bit off too much after having done the same on a couple of occasions. An all-round effort from the National Academy member.

#13 Georgie Brisbane

A real powerhouse, Brisbane clunked nine marks as Eastern’s spearhead tall in attack. She missed the chance to hit the scoreboard in term one, but many of the Ranges’ attacks went through her. Of Brisbane’s 20 disposals, 17 were kicks as the bottom-ager looked to pump the ball into dangerous spots where others could take toll.

#14 Alyssia Pisano

Pisano put on an absolute clinic on Friday, looking well above the competition en route to booting 6.3 from 15 disposals and five marks. Coming off an ACL tear, the 162cm forward has now kicked 10 goals in two weeks and is just about as readymade a prospect there is in this year’s draft pool. Pisano’s finishing was deadly, whether on the run or over the mark, and she used her pace to leave opponents in her wake. In marking contests, she was near impossible to beat from front position across what was one of the finest displays of skill the competition has seen.

>> Round 4 Player of the Week: Alyssia Pisano

#17 Grace Baba

One of the finds of the Coates Talent League season so far, Baba again produced some exciting moments off half-back. The 176cm bottom-ager used her height to intercept but also had an impact across the ground, pressing high and taking on opponents with her slick step. Though a touch raw and fumbly at ground level, Baba has some serious potential and will only get better with more exposure at the level.

#22 Grace Belloni

Another of the bottom-agers who impressed enough to suggest Eastern will remain strong for years to come, Belloni backed up her opening outing with another 20 touches among the midfield-forward rotation. A good size at 175cm, she looked powerful in possession and was strong over the ball, while also running well forward of the ball to chain repeat possessions as Eastern attacked.

By: Peter Williams

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#3 Ash van Rooyen

The over-age inclusion this year has shown a few promising signs in her first two Sandringham Dragons games, with another 13-disposal effort against the Chargers. She has a bit of toe coming out of the stoppages and was able to burst away and kick inside 50 to set up some scoring chances, and put pressure on the Oakleigh defence. At 171cm, she is a decent height for a midfielder and is one for upside throughout the year.

#19 Georgia Foran

The overage defender battled hard across the gam and though her eight disposals do not look ultra-impressive on the stats sheet, she provided strength and defensive pressure in the back 50. She tried to burst away a couple of times and was run-down, but on one occasions, she beat three opponents brilliantly in the second term. Her one-on-one work was typically strong, and she battled on hard across the defensive 50.

#28 Cameron Millias

Another talented runner who applied plenty of defensive pressure across the course of the game, Millias had the second most disposals of any Dragon with 18, and laid nine tackles in the process. Her most eye-catching passage of play came in the second term, moving well through a forward stoppage, composing herself and kicking a nice goal on the run.

#46 Scout Howden

The tall mover was busy out of the back half, providing some neat run and carry down the ground to be Sandringham’s most prolific ball-winner. She won 23 disposals and took three marks, as well as had the five rebound 50s, pushing up the ground from the back 50 to the wing. Her run and carry was her most eye-catching trait from the match.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#2 Sarah Poustie

The hard-running winger was a standout for the Chargers on the outside and is a player who does not need a lot of touches to have an impact. The bottom-ager was clean at ground and has some offensive traits that catch the eye. Her vision, neat skills and clean hands at ground level held her in good stead, and she cracks in as well, having to come off via the blood rule in the fourth term. Poustie plays the wing role well holding the line strongly.

#5 Abbey Vicino

Another bottom-ager at the Chargers, Vicino had the ball on a string all day and found it both inside and outside the contest. She would go on to finish with 23 disposals and six inside 50s, and while her execution and polish can improve, she kept working hard throughout the match. Her drive from the stoppage to get it inside 50 helped the Chargers have plenty of scoring chances throughout the four quarters.

#8 Lara Hausegger

The top-age defender had less touches than her big game the week before against the Falcons, but still provided important run and carry from defence. She finished with 15 disposals, three marks and three rebound 50s, while laying four tackles. Her sidestep and evasions stands out, as well as her aerial ability one-on-one, while her cleanliness at ground level under pressure is a way to improve further, her consistency to get into the right positions was very good.

#24 Jemma Rigoni

The Melbourne father-daughter eligible overager was stationed in defence and provided a high line for her side to keep the ball moving in transition. She would compete aerially, and though she did not take a mark, showcased her athleticism in the fourth term with a brilliant passage taking a couple of bounces from half-back and bombing it long inside 50 to lead to a goal.

#25 Emma McDonald

Yet another bottom-ager, McDonald is an exciting talent who stands at 180cm with some impressive athleticism for a big. She clunked a few more marks this week and converted her chances with two goals from 12 disposals, looking every bit the key forward target. McDonald is equally comfortable at ground level and can play as a lead-out forward or deeper given her strong reach and mobility.

By: Michael Alvaro

BENDIGO PIONEERS:

#1 Lila Keck

Bendigo’s skipper ended up as her side’s top ball winner, notching 21 touches from midfield and getting in the thick of things at stoppage. The crafty 161cm prospect found it hard at times to break free of Tasmania’s physically apt on-ballers, but had fewer issues getting her hands on the ball and booting it clear. She started in the long sleeves but ditched them after half time, an act fitting of how she figuratively pulled up her sleeves in midfield.

#5 Lucia Painter

Painter has been a consistent ball winner for over a year now in the Coates Talent League, and continued on her way with 20 disposals rotating into midfield from defence. She initially took the kick-ins before being used as the primary target from there, with the bottom-ager a strong marker and hard-to-move prospect over the ball. Such is Painter’s well-roundedness, she even won a hitout in the third term and directed play using as much authority as she hunted the ball with.

#14 Bryde O’Rourke

Injecting some energy and fun to the Pioneers’ forward line, O’Rourke hit the scoreboard in term one and let her presence be known in celebration. Her lone major came through a free kick conversion, and the top-ager’s vertical range made her a threat in attack. O’Rourke clunked four marks and eventually got a tougher matchup, but looked like one of Bendigo’s more likely forwards along with Keely Fullerton (two goals).

#26 Jemmika Douglas

You would seldom want to be caught in a Douglas tackle, and the bottom-ager laid six on Saturday to assert herself in defence. Five of her 13 disposals resulted in rebound 50s, as she shut down Tasmania’s forwards with intent before setting off in transition. Her power and acceleration through the contest were impressive, fitting of a promising prospect who is among the Vic Country talent hub.

TASMANIA DEVILS:

#2 Ava Read

Though unorthodox at times, Read has proven to be effective this season and added three-straight goals to her tally on Saturday. There’s not much of 175cm bottom-ager, but she is capable of taking clean marks finding the big sticks. She could look to refine her set shot technique over the next year and find a bit more consistency, though has a certain flair that makes her a unique part of Tasmania’s forward line.

#13 Lucy Thompson

There’s something about Thompson, another bottom-ager who has shown signs of being a player to watch this season. The 170cm midfielder-forward produced some flashy moments of power both with and without the ball; from spins and fend-offs to rundown tackles. She ended up with solid numbers, collecting 14 disposals and laying eight tackles without quite taking toll in front of goal.

#14 Candice Belbin

Belbin has really found her groove over the last fortnight and looks a terrific choice as captain of Tasmania, especially given her over-age status. The midfielder led all comers with 21 disposals and dominated around the ball, clearing the ball forward on repeat. She also proved to be a punishing tackler, laying 13 for the match and ensuring her opponents stayed tackled, resulting in stoppages she would subsequently win.

#24 Georgia Clark

There has been no stopping Clark over the first month of the season, and the National Academy member again impressed with 20 disposals and a goal on Saturday. In less than ideal conditions, she still managed to clunk four marks and even got a run in the ruck for six hitouts. The top-ager could have had a greater scoreboard impact with straighter kicking, but there was little denying her aerial ability with typically clean work overhead.

#29 Mackenzie Williams

Though her intercept marking game was less influential than in previous weeks, Williams still got to good spots behind the ball and worked hard to win back possession for the Devils. The bottom-ager was heavily involved in the early stages and showcased her typical explosiveness on the rebound, often collecting and running the ball forward without breaking stride. She’s an eye-catching talent.

#37 Tunisha Kikoak

Kikoak was primarily stationed behind the ball on Saturday and while she rotated into the ruck, seemed to thrive more in defence. The top-age tall was only credited with two marks but cut off several Bendigo attacks in the air, using her vertical range to pick off kicks at a higher point than anyone else. Kikoak also had a job to do on Bendigo’s O’Rourke and quelled the forward well after quarter time.

#39 Grace White

One of Tasmania’s surprise packets this season, White snared her second consecutive three-goal haul as one of the Devils’ many scoring avenues. The 170cm forward also took five grabs and was assured in her finishing, helping her side kick away in the second term with a pair of unanswered majors. She put the cherry on top with another in the fourth quarter.