TWO full-time Coates Talent League Girls sides remain winless, but that will change in Round 11 when Murray Bushrangers host Western Jets up at Wangaratta Showgrounds tomorrow. As part of a six-game fixture, the two sides will battle for their first points of the season with seven rounds remaining in the competition.

Saturday, June 24 @ Wangaratta Showgrounds, 12pm

Both Murray Bushrangers and Western Jets are yet to taste victory in season 2023, and have been on the receiving end of some big losses. The Jets sit 17th on the ladder with an 0-6 record and 28.3 per cent, having come off a flag last year but also a lot of turnover of players to the AFLW or VFLW. Murray Bushrangers are the sole team below them, with an 0-7 record and 23.70 per cent.

However as is the case with the Coates Talent League, results are only secondary to development, and both teams have some quality players coming through the pathways. The Jets have two AFLW Academy members, and two that are locks for that honour next season, while the Bushrangers have players spread across both Vic Country and the Allies at the upcoming AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships.

TOP-AGE DRAFT WATCH:

#14 Kiera Whiley (Western Jets)
07/04/2005 | 172cm | Midfielder

The AFLW Academy member is as consistent as any player out there, with a nice balance of inside and outside qualities, as well as defensive traits. Though there are areas she can further improve – such as her scoreboard impact and even higher impact per possession, she makes few mistakes and can slot in just about anywhere. As skipper of the Jets, she will be a prime mover in the midfield to try and get her side over the line in this game.

#30 Krystal Russell (Western Jets)
22/09/2004 | 180cm | Ruck

The over-age ruck earned selection in the Vic Metro Under 18s squad for the second consecutive year after testing herself at VFL Women’s level. Having gained interest from AFLW clubs such was her inclusion in the Under 23 All-Stars side, Russell is a readymade ruck who is physically imposing and dominant at the stoppages. Russell will likely have a massive day out against Murray’s undersized ruck division.

#26 Kaylea Kobzan (Murray Bushrangers)
09/02/2005 | 172cm | Tall Defender

A top-age tall defender who will represent Victoria, Kobzan is a reliable interceptor and someone who drives the ball from the back 50 down the ground. She is a powerful long kick and good overhead, and while she has been pidgeonholed into that defensive position, she has been a shining light for the Bushrangers this year. Of her 101 disposals this season, 88 have been kicks, showing her preferred modus operandi.

#29 Destiny Dodd (Murray Bushrangers)
05/09/2005 | 167cm | Medium Utility

Enjoying perhaps an underrated season at the Bushrangers, Dodd was rewarded for her consistent form by trialling with Vic Country. Despite only being 167cm, Dodd has a nice vertical leap and incredibly has been playing in the ruck after being a deep forward prior to that. Though clearly not a ruck at the next level, she is a true utility who can slot in wherever is required, and is a lovely shot on goal with a booming kick.

FUTURE STARS:

#9 Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
18/05/2006 | 164cm | Inside Midfielder

The prime ball-winner in the Coates Talent League this year, it comes as no surprise that the bottom-ager was selected for Vic Metro in the upcoming Under 18 Championships. Averaging 29.2 disposals per game, Grieves has recorded 30 or more disposals in four of her six games this season. A terrific clearance player, Grieves looms as one of the top players for 2024, and will hold an important place in the Metro midfielder. She can also play other roles as well such as up forward like she did in 2022 for the Jets, booting nine goals in 10 games.

#9 Holly Egan (Murray Bushrangers)
01/07/2006 | 168cm | Utility

Similar to Dodd, Egan has been utilised in a multitude of positions, starting up forward, moving onto the wing, then going to half-back, and has attended centre bounces as well. She is tough, goes in hard and has some draftable qualities, not too dissimilar to older sister, Richmond AFLW’s Grace. Though more of an outside player due to her lighter frame, she knows how to find the ball, having 18 disposals for Country in the trial match. Her execution is an area that could improve, but some natural footballing abilities are clearly there and she is an exciting talent for next year.

PREDICTION:

It should be a tight contest, but Murray Bushrangers are missing a number of players due to Allies representation as that NSW-ACT based players set for the Under 18 Championships have a training camp in Sydney this weekend. Western Jets are still minus Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner who is recovering from a wrist injury, but should have enough to get the job done. At home in Wangaratta though, the Bushrangers are more than capable of getting the crowd behind them and potentially taking home the four points.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Eastern Ranges vs. Calder Cannons
Saturday, June 24 @ Box Hill City Oval, 10:30am

Both these sides started the season on fire, but have slipped off a touch, with Eastern Ranges losing two of their past three games, and Calder Cannons going down in three of their past four. The Ranges have had to be minus a number of top players, but will regain the likes of Alyssia Pisano and Laura Stone this weekend. Ruck/forward Jess Vukic also plays her first Talent League game since the community break, entering off a successful game with the AFLW Academy.

The Cannons have had to overcome the loss of AFLW Academy member Amy Gaylor (ACL) for the season, but Kayley Kavanagh and Sarah Grunden return from Victorian trials. Watch for 2007-born Chloe Baker-West who makes her 2023 season debut after impressing as a triple bottom-ager last year and winning back-to-back MVPs with Vic Metro at the Under 16s Championships.

Gippsland Power vs. Sandringham Dragons
Saturday, June 24 @ Morwell Recreation Reserve, 11:00am

Interestingly, both the Power and Dragons have had the opposite trajectory to the Ranges and Cannons over the past month, with the Power picking up two wins from four games, but having chances to win all four. The Dragons on the other hand, are on a two-game winning streak, fresh off an impressive victory over Western Jets last week.

The top-end talent of both sides largely comes in the form of bottom-agers, with Ash Centra and Jasmine Sowden impressive, and double bottom-ager Ella Stoddart always prolific. The Dragons will be minus Sophie McKay for the match, but have the likes of top-age Vic Metro squad members Emily Gough and Isabel Bacon to watch. It is tipped to be a beauty with the homeground advantage and no McKay tipping the scales the way of the Power.

GWV Rebels vs. Dandenong Stingrays
Saturday, June 24 @ Mars Stadium, 1:30pm

Coming off a bye in Round 10, the Dandenong Stingrays will still be fired up over the 107-point shellacking of Bendigo Pioneers in Round 9. The Stingrays – highly touted in the preseason – have finally clicked, have looked a different side since the community break, and look ready to mount their case as a premiership contender. GWV Rebels are on a four-game losing streak after starting the season at 2-1 and will be keen to turn that form around here.

AFLW Academy members Mikayla Williamson and Bianca Lyne were impressive for the AFLW Academy, while Brooke Smith further enhanced her claim to be drafted as an over-ager, with the MVP for the Under 23 All-Stars side. Tough forward Lily Jordan was also strong in that match, while Jessica Rentsch and Millie Lang will provide plenty of rebound for the Rebels. Dandenong has a bit too much depth and should win this one.

Bendigo Pioneers vs. Oakleigh Chargers
Sunday, June 25 @ Queen Elizabeth Oval, 11:00am

Opening up a two-game Sunday is the 15th placed Bendigo Pioneers trying their luck against the top of the table Oakleigh Chargers. After the ladder leaders lost their first game to Gold Coast Suns Academy a fortnight ago, they bounced back with an impressive win over Eastern Ranges at Warrawee Park last round. The Pioneers on the other hand are coming off a bye, having being smashed by the Stingrays in Round 9, and surviving a scare against Northern Territory in Round 8.

Bendigo has not had the services of both Lila Keck and Lucia Painter since Round 4 where the Pioneers pushed Tasmania for a good part of three quarters, but both players have been named together for the Round 11 clash. They along with the in-form Bryde O’Rourke have the potential to provide plenty of highlights, but the depth of the Chargers, which includes a stack of bottom-agers such as Sienna Tallariti, Emma McDonald and Maggie Mahony will be too much and should win well.

Tasmania Devils vs. Geelong Falcons
Sunday, June 25 @ Twin Oval Kingston, 11:00am

The other Sunday morning game is down on the Apple Isle with the Devils hosting the red-hot Geelong Falcons in a massive contest. The Devils will again be a little way off full strength with the Allies representatives having a camp in Sydney, while the Falcons are in no such predicament and have named an incredibly strong side. Geelong has crept to just four points off top spot after some ridiculous one-sided wins, while Tasmania has had the same amount of victories – five – albeit from one additional game.

Minus the likes of Georgia Clark, Candice Belbin and Mackenzie Williams, the devils will lean on their younger players such as Ava Read, Meg Harrison and Jorja Haberle who have been in good form. Geelong ball-winner Sara Howley has been in scintillating form, with skipper Chloe Adams also having a strong season. Forwards Chantal Mason and Bella Gilham have filled their boots in the past few weeks and raced up the leading goalkicker table, so expect that to potentially continue.