THOUGH there were just the three games in Round 6 of the Talent League Girls competition, there were no shortage of talented individual performances. Western Jets’ Sierra Grieves earned our Rookie Me Central Player of the Week for Round 6 after another dominant ball-winning display during the Jets’ loss to Northern Knights at Preston City Oval on Saturday.

Becoming the first player to pick up a nomination in a loss, Grieves was everywhere against the Knights, racking up 36 disposals – 24 kicks, 12 handballs – six marks, eight tackles and four inside 50s to finish 11 disposals clear of any other player on the field. Grieves also became just the second bottom-ager after Sara Howley‘s Player of the Week effort in Round 1.

The 16-year-old turns 17 next month and is averaging more disposals than any other player in the Coates Talent League. The Jets’ number nine has continued to increase her disposals each week somehow, going from 32 to 35 and then 36 in a three-round ball-winning display. Along with 34.3 disposals, Grieves has averaged 4.7 marks, 5.0 inside 50s, 2.0 rebound 50s and a whopping 11.3 tackles per game.

Grieves will be the last Player of the Week nomination for a month, as the Talent League players head back to community and school football. The Jets have an extra long break, not returning until Round 8 when they head to Queensland to face Gold Coast Suns Academy at Brighton Homes Arena.

2023 RM CENTRAL TALENT LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Round 1 – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)
Round 2 – Olivia Morris (Sydney Swans Academy)
Round 3 – Laura Stone (Eastern Ranges)
Round 4 – Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges)
Round 5 – Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons)
Round 6 – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)