THE FIRST block of Coates Talent League Girls action has been completed in season 2023, but with the competition returning as soon as next week, there’s no better time for a refresher on what has gone down to date. We take you through all you need to know before Round 7 gets underway.

WHEN DOES IT RETURN?

This weekend! There are two games on Saturday afternoon, with the Swans Academy and Tasmania Devils kicking things off in Blacktown. Murray and the Lions Academy then do battle in Craigieburn as part of one of four double-headers in line with the boy’s season.

ROUND 7 FIXTURE

Saturday May 20

Swans Academy vs. Tasmania Devils | 2:45pm @ Blacktown ISP
Murray Bushrangers vs. Lions Academy | 3:30pm @ Highgate Recreation Reserve

Sunday May 21

Gippsland Power vs. Northern Territory Academy | 11:00am @ Trevor Barker Oval
GWV Rebels vs. Suns Academy | 12:30pm @ Ikon Park
Bendigo Pioneers vs. Geelong Falcons | 1:30pm @ Queen Elizabeth Oval

HOW MANY ROUNDS ARE LEFT?

There are six rounds down and 11 to go this season. The Swans Academy will play their final game this weekend, while the Lions and Suns enter the fray for their first of three respective fixtures. All remaining rounds will feature a minimum of four games each, meaning there is plenty of action to come this season. There is no Wildcard Round but three weeks of finals are pencilled in for September.

KEY DATES

Competition byes – June 10-11 & July 29 – August 19
Elimination Finals – September 9-10
Preliminary Finals – September 16-17
Grand Final – September 23

WHO ARE THE CONTENDERS?

As many would have predicted in preseason, Eastern looks like the team to beat. The Ranges have a raft of representative stars in each age group and boast arguably the strongest top-age crop, which has translated to a perfect 4-0 start.

Oakleigh has been somewhat of a surprise packet, currently topping the table with a superior percentage to Eastern. The Chargers became the first side to knock Calder off and did so in style to stamp their claims as a finals contender.

Elsewhere, the Cannons are among a trio of sides sitting pretty on 3-1 records, alongside Northern Knights and the Tasmania Devils. It is hard to see too many other sides challenging, though Dandenong has a squad which is arguably good enough to rise steeply up the ladder.

LADDER

1. Oakleigh Chargers (4-0, 443.6%)
2. Eastern Ranges (4-0, 261.8%)
3. Northern Knights (3-1, 126.9%)
4. Calder Cannons (3-1, 110.7%)
5. Tasmania Devils (3-1, 93.7%)
6. Swans Academy* (2-0, 307.5%)
7. Giants Academy* (2-1, 159.6%)
8. GWV Rebels (2-2, 151.8%)
9. Dandenong Stingrays (2-3, 105.7%)
10. Geelong Falcons (2-2, 74.7%)
11. Bendigo Pioneers (1-3, 60.3%)
12. Sandringham Dragons (0-4, 56.5%)
13. Western Jets (0-3, 56.4%)
14. Murray Bushrangers (0-4, 33.2%)
15. Gippsland Power (0-3, 10.4%)

Yet to play: Lions Academy*, Suns Academy*, Northern Territory Academy*

* – not part of full-time competition

STAT LEADERS (AVERAGES)*

Disposals:
Sierra Grieves (Western Jets) – 34.3
Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons) – 27.5
Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons) – 26.8

Marks:
Georgia Clark (Tasmania Devils) – 8.0
Ash Centra (Gippsland Power) – 6.7
Claire Mahony (GWV Rebels) – 6.0

Tackles:
Sierra Grieves (Western Jets) – 11.3
Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons) – 9.8
Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons) – 9.0

Inside 50s:
Laura Stone (Eastern Ranges) – 7.3
Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons) – 6.8
Ella Parker (Swans Academy) – 6.5

Rebound 50s:
Millie Lang (GWV Rebels) – 8.5
Lou-Lou Field (Western Jets) – 7.3
Kaylea Kobzan (Murray Bushrangers) – 7.0

Hitouts:
Krystal Russell (Western Jets) – 35.5
Ellie Sbeghen (Calder Cannons) – 26.3
Lauren Jatczak (Northern Knights) – 19.5

Total Goals:
Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges) – 16
Maiya Stobie (Oakleigh Chargers) – 12
Lily Jordan (GWV Rebels) – 11

* – Note: Two-game minimum requirement

RMC MEDAL COUNT

=1. Millie Lang (GWV Rebels) – 17 votes
=1. Laura Stone (Eastern Ranges) – 17
3. Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons) – 15
=4. Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons) – 14
=4. Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons) – 14
=4. Georgia Clark (Tasmania Devils) – 14

>> Updated: 2023 RMC Medal leaderboard

UPDATED PREDICTIONS

Premier: Eastern Ranges
Runner-up: Tasmania Devils
Top 4: Oakleigh Chargers, Calder Cannons
Best & Fairest: Georgia Clark (Tasmania Devils)
Leading Goalkicker: Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges)

>> State of play: 2023 Coates Talent League Boys