QUEENSLAND’S two Northern Academy sides entered the Coates Talent League Girls competition and came away with the four points, while Gippsland Power also won their first game on the year. There were mostly one-sided results in Round 7, but plenty of individuals looked the goods in the respective games.

Sydney Swans Academy remained undefeated in the 2023 Coates Talent League Girls competition, returning in Round 7 to post a big win over Tasmania Devils at Blacktown. The Swans controlled play for the majority of the game, and while the Devils kicked a couple of goals in the last quarter, it would not be enough as the Swans went on to win, 8.5 (53) to 3.3 (21)

STANDOUT: Kendra Blattman (Swans Academy)

It was an incredibly even performance from both sides, but Blattman stood out throughout the ruck, playing a key role in getting first hands down to her midfielders. She has been a utility this season in being able to slot into other positions, but worked hard around the ground and competed against a multitude of opponents.

OTHERS:

Classy forward Nelita Sherrin-Bob caught the eye with three goals to be the dominant goalkicker on the ground, while midfielders Asha Turner Funk and Olivia Morris also worked hard on the inside. For the Devils, it was a tough day for forwards, but Georgia Clark worked up the ground and rolled through the ruck, while Grace White provided a target in the front half.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Kendra Blattman (Swans Academy)
4 – Nelita Sherrin-Bob (Swans Academy)
3 – Asha Turner Funk (Swans Academy)
2 – Georgia Clark (Tasmania Devils)
1 – Grace White (Tasmania Devils)

Brisbane Lions Academy overcame wet and wild conditions to defeat Murray Bushrangers and leave their opponents still winless in the Coates Talent League. The job was mostly done in the first term as the Lions piled on 5.4 to 0.0, and while the Bushrangers restricted them to three goals after that – while Destiny Dodd kicked two for her side – it was not going to be enough, going down, 8.7 (55) to 2.0 (12).

STANDOUT: Sophie Peters (Lions Academy)

The AFLW Academy member showed nice class through the middle of the ground on a wet day and was voted the Lions’ best in the win. A prime mover in the wet, she lead by example in what was an even team performance overall, making the most of her 13 touches.

OTHERS:

Fellow AFLW Academy member Rania Crozier provided a tall target in a hybrid role up front, while Ebony Milne looked dangerous each time she went near it, narrowly missing some chances on goal. Tamika Rourke and Ellie Armstrong were among the most notable ball-winners for the Bushrangers in defeat.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Sophie Peters (Lions Academy)
4 – Tamika Rourke (Murray Bushrangers)
3 – Ellie Armstrong (Murray Bushrangers)
2 – Rania Crozier (Lions Academy)
1 – Ebony Milne (Lions Academy)

Heading into the game winless, Gippsland Power unveiled a stack of 2007-born talents who went on to take care of Northern Territory Academy in a one-sided affair. The visitors kicked three last term goals, but the game was done and dusted for a while before that as the Power stormed to a massive 13.10 (88) to 5.4 (34) win at a wet Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

STANDOUT: Chelsea Sutton (Gippsland Power)

Playing eight games last year as a triple bottom-ager, Sutton stood up in her first game of 2023 booting three goals from seven scoring shots in a dominant performance for the blue, red and white. She could have had an even bigger day, but tallied up 23 disposals and clunked three marks in the wet in an eye-catching effort.

OTHERS:

Other 2007-born talents making their debut included Abby Hobson (four goals) and Rebecca Fitzpatrick (20 disposals, four rebound 50s) who impressed up either end, while usual suspects, Ash Centra and Indiana Makai, and Gabrielle Foster also had days out. For the Top End team, Tatyana Perry was a class above despite the challenging conditions, while Sophie Berry and Marika Carlton also showed some toe around the ground.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Chelsea Sutton (Gippsland Power)
4 – Abby Hobson (Gippsland Power)
3 – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
2 – Tatyana Perry (Northern Territory)
1 – Indiana Makai (Gippsland Power)

Gold Coast Suns Academy produced an outstanding effort to come away with an 8.10 (58) to 1.3 (9) victory over the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels. From early on the Suns took control, and particularly through the middle two quarters put the foot down. Though the Rebels held their own late in the match, the Suns had done enough to record the 49-point victory.

STANDOUT: Havana Harris (Suns Academy)

Key position talent Harris is one of the top prospects for next year’s draft and she stood out on the big deck at Ikon Park. Rolling between the ruck and forward, Harris got involved in the play across the ground and finished with 27 disposals, two marks, eight tackles, 18 hitouts, six inside 50s, three rebound 50s and a goal.

OTHERS:

There was no shortage of star performances on the day, with midfielder/forwards Sunny Lappin, Alannah Welsh and Ava Usher all doing their bit with some outstanding individual efforts and team plays for the Suns. The Rebels had a tough day, but the likes of Millie Lang, Jessica Rentsch and Brook Ward all had moments.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Havana Harris (Suns Academy)
4 – Sunny Lappin (Suns Academy)
3 – Alannah Welsh (Suns Academy)
2 – Ava Usher (Suns Academy)
1 – Millie Lang (GWV Rebels)

Geelong Falcons made a statement to the rest of the competition with a massive 91-point win over Bendigo Pioneers. The Falcons dominated from the opening bounce and led by 78 points at the last change. Though the Pioneers produced their best quarter in the final term, it did not help the deficit as Geelong romped to a 16.14 (110) to 2.7 (19) victory.

STANDOUT: Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)

In one of the most outstanding performances of the year, Howley roamed around the ground and did as she pleased in a dominant 40-disposal effort. She started at stoppages then spread from defence to attack and had the ball on a string setting up scoring opportunities for her teammates. Kicking 1.4, Howley could have had an even bigger day, but she was just too good across the four quarters.

OTHERS:

Chantal Mason slotted seven goals from nine scoring shots and produced 23 disposals in an equally dominant effort up forward for the Falcons. Bella Gilham (three goals) and Sienna Mallon (two) kicked multiple goals, while Mekah Morrissy and Lucy Marescuk provided run on the outside. For the Pioneers, Lucia Painter was the standout with 30 disposals, while the likes of Jemmika Douglas, Bryde O’Rourke and Keely Fullerton all battled on well.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)
4 – Chantal Mason (Geelong Falcons)
3 – Lucia Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)
2 – Mekah Morrissy (Geelong Falcons)
1 – Lucy Marescuk (Geelong Falcons)