A WHOPPING 13 players made their debut in our Rookie Me Central Coates Talent League Girls Team of the Week for Round 7 as the Northern Academy teams came to town. A very different looking squad saw an even spread across the league, with Geelong Falcons (five players) and Gold Coast Suns Academy (four) leading the way, just ahead of fellow winner, Brisbane Lions Academy and Gippsland Power (three each).

Geelong Falcons boast this week’s skipper in our Player of the Week, forward Chantal Mason who booted seven goals from 23 disposals, as she alongside 40-disposal winner Sara Howley, and winger Mekah Morrissy started on the field. Another speedy outside mover in Lucy Marescuk and clever small forward Bella Gilham rounded out the Falcons’ representatives. Falcons’ skipper Chloe Adams was one of three emergencies.

Gold Coast Suns Academy provided four starters in the side, with ruck Havana Harris starting in that position, and a trio of double bottom-agers straight off the AFLW Under 16 Championships slotting into the team. Ava Usher (rover), Sunny Lappin (wing) and Alannah Welsh (half-forward) were able to slide into the team, with another midfielder in bottom-ager Tara Harrington named as an emergency.

The Suns’ Sunshine State rivals Brisbane Lions Academy managed the three players and one emergency, with AFLW Academy members Sophie Peters and Rania Crozier named in the centre and centre half-forward respectively. Smooth-moving forward Ebony Milne was named on the bench, while Brooke Sheridan booted three goals and was just squeezed out to an emergency.

Gippsland Power posted their first win of the season in fine fashion, and the win came with three Team of the Week representatives. Ash Centra slotted in once again, and this time she was joined by a couple of double bottom-agers in Abby Hobson and Chelsea Sutton who combined for 7.5 up forward. Tatyana Perry was the sole Northern Territory representatives from that game.

Sydney Swans Academy provided two Team of the Week representatives in ruck Kendra Blattman and forward Nelita Sherrin-Bob, with Tasmania Devils leader Georgia Clark also making the team again. Murray Bushrangers also only had one representative after their loss to the Lions Academy, with Tamika Rourke named on the bench.

The remaining two teams to field players were Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels and Bendigo Pioneers who suffered big losses but still managed two players apiece. The Rebels were represented by Millie Lang and Jessica Rentsch, while Lucia Painter and Jemmika Douglas were the Pioneers’ players in the squad.

2023 TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 7

B: Jemmika Douglas (Bendigo Pioneers) – Millie Lang (GWV Rebels) – Tatyana Perry (Northern Territory Academy)
HB: Lucia Painter (Bendigo Pioneers) – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power) – Jess Rentsch (GWV Rebels)
C: Mekah Morrissy (Geelong Falcons) – Sophie Peters (Lions Academy) – Sunny Lappin (Suns Academy)
HF: Alannah Welsh (Suns Academy) – Rania Crozier (Lions Academy) – Chelsea Sutton (Gippsland Power)
F: Nelita Sherrin-Bob (Swans Academy) – Abby Hobson (Gippsland Power) – Chantal Mason (Geelong Falcons) (c)
R: Havana Harris (Suns Academy) – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons) – Ava Usher (Suns Academy)
INT: Kendra Blattman (Swans Academy) – Georgia Clark (Tasmania Devils) – Bella Gilham (Geelong Falcons) – Lucy Marescuk (Geelong Falcons) – Ebony Milne (Lions Academy) – Tamika Rourke (Murray Bushrangers)

EMG: Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons) – Tara Harrington (Suns Academy) – Brooke Sheridan (Lions Academy)