A SMALLER than usual Coates Talent League Girls round took place over the weekend with just three matches on offer for Round 6. All three occurred on the Saturday, with Eastern Ranges and Oakleigh Chargers remaining undefeated, while Northern Knights got up over Western Jets.

Northern Knights moved up to third spot on the Coates Talent League ladder after an impressive three-goal win over Western Jets. Holding the Jets goalless in the first three terms, the Knights kicked away with a three-goal third term and held on to win 4.8 (32) to 1.8 (14).

STANDOUT: Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)

Despite playing in another loss, Grieves was a standout performer for the Jets, racking up a whopping 36 disposals to continue her incredible form in 2023. She also took six marks, laid eight tackles and had four inside 50s to be best on ground in a losing effort.

OTHERS:

Grieves’ partner-in-crime and bottom-ager Lou-Lou Field was the other star Jets talent coming out of defence with 20 touches, five marks, five inside 50s and eight rebound 50s. Captain Kiera Whiley tried hard all game laying nine tackles from 23 disposals. For the Knights, it was an even spread in the win, with five players collecting 20-plus disposals. The classy Zoe Hargreaves stepped up in another outstanding 24-disposals, nine-tackle effort, while Hannah Scott and Tahlia Plunkett were also busy, and Suwindi Buckley had more disposals than anyone else.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
4 – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
3 – Lou-Lou Field (Western Jets)
2 – Hannah Scott (Northern Knights)
1 – Tahlia Plunkett (Northern Knights)

It was billed as a top of the table clash but ended up a one-sided contest as Oakleigh Chargers stormed to an 85-point win over Calder Cannons. The Cannons failed to score just two weeks after holding Murray Bushrangers scoreless themselves, with Oakleigh winning 13.7 (85) to 0.0 (0).

STANDOUT: Amy Cariss-Brett (Oakleigh Chargers)

Playing on the outside, Cariss-Brett provided plenty of run and carry going forward, racking up 28 disposals, taking seven marks and having seven inside 50s. She provided an intercepting force and a switching option, often looking to run and drive the ball forward in transition well.

OTHERS:

Oakleigh had a stack of contributors as one would imagine in such a comprehensive win. A total of 10 players had 17 or more disposals, with Sarah Poustie (31 disposals, seven marks and 14 tackles) the pick of the bunch for production. Key forward Emma McDonald continued her outstanding form with 21 touches, five marks and nine inside 50s. Lily Hart and Maiya Stobie also combined for seven goals and Jorja Jackson had 26 disposals. For the Cannons, Kayley Kavanagh was very easily her side’s best yet again, picking up 27 disposals and laying 16 tackles, while Kyla Forbes had 17 disposals in the loss.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Amy Cariss-Brett (Oakleigh Chargers)
4 – Emma McDonald (Oakleigh Chargers)
3 – Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers)
2 – Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons)
1 – Lily Hart (Oakleigh Chargers)

Eastern Ranges maintained their unbeaten streak to come away with a 31-point victory over Sandringham Dragons at Kilsyth Recreation Reserve. The Ranges moved to 4-0 for the season, while the Dragons sunk to 0-4 with another competitive defeat. Never quite out of it, the Dragons fought to the end, but the Ranges proved too strong in the 8.8 (56) to 3.7 (25) win.

STANDOUT: Ava Campbell (Eastern Ranges)

The Eastern Ranges defender was an intercepting machine was a force in the back half of the ground and a key reason why the Ranges kept the Dragons at bay. Campbell clunked seven marks to go with 22 disposals, seven inside 50s and five rebound 50s in her best game of her Ranges career despite having some strong contenders for the title in the past.

OTHERS:

The usual suspects were busy again for the Ranges with Laura Stone and Hayley McLaughlin busy through midfield and the dangerous Alyssia Pisano kicking four goals from seven scoring shots. Georgia Knight was also lively once again inside 50. For the Dragons, Sophie McKay was a clear standout with 24 touches, three marks, seven tackles, three inside 50s and four rebound 50s. Judie Goldman was lively on the inside, while Annabelle Embelton was kept busy at full-back.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Ava Campbell (Eastern Ranges)
4 – Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges)
3 – Laura Stone (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons)
1 – Judie Goldman (Sandringham Dragons)