A STACK of Vic Metro representatives were out of their respective sides for Round 12, but Eastern Ranges – who were arguably most affected by the absences – still found a way to win. Calder Cannons won their first game in a month, ending the streak of Sandringham Dragons, while Murray Bushrangers finally won their first match to ensure all full-time teams registered a win in the season.

Calder Cannons snapped a three-game losing streak by knocking off Sandringham Dragons at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, getting up by 13 points in a nail-biter. The Cannons kept the Dragons to six behinds at half-time, and then fought off a late comeback from the Dragons to kick a steadier and win, 5.10 (40) to 3.9 (27).

STANDOUT: Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons)

The double bottom-ager built on a 29-disposal performance with a whopping 36 touches in the win. Playing through midfield, Baker-West won the ball at will and was influential across the ground, being a standout player for the Cannons. At times she rushes her kicks, but when she has that time and space, can be incredibly potent.

OTHERS:

Baker-West teamed up well with fellow 2007-born midfielder Jade McLay who was influential around the stoppages, while Maddison Albrecht also caught the eye with her work rate and determination around the ground. Sandringham ruck Ruby Dale did her best at the stoppages and around the ground, while Daisy Flockart was classy with ball-in-hand.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons)
4 – Jade McLay (Calder Cannons)
3 – Ruby Dale (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Daisy Flockart (Sandringham Dragons)
1 – Maddison Albrecht (Calder Cannons)

After trailing at quarter time, Murray Bushrangers steadied to boot six goals to three in the remaining quarters and run away to their first win of the 2023 season. The Bushrangers knocked off Bendigo Pioneers by 22 points, kicking 8.7 (55) to 5.3 (33) in their best performance of the year.

STANDOUT: Kaylea Kobzan (Murray Bushrangers)

After plying her trade as a key defender and being tasked with the kick outs, Kobzan has spent time up the other end of late, and it seems to be paying dividends. Strong overhead and a powerful kick, Kobzan benefited from her side having plenty of chances, booting 2.2 from 17 disposals and five marks in arguably her best game of the season.

OTHERS:

Also inside 50, double bottom-ager Nikhita Spiteri booted three goals from 13 touches and four marks, her best performance of the season in her fifth game. In midfield, Tamika Rourke and Molly McLaren were strong, while Holly Egan impressed out of defence. Vic Country representatives Lucia Painter and Bryde O’Rourke were the best for the Pios, while Steph Demeo and Keely Fullerton also worked hard.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Kaylea Kobzan (Murray Bushrangers)
4 – Nikhita Spiteri (Murray Bushrangers)
3 – Tamika Rourke (Murray Bushrangers)
2 – Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)
1 – Bryde O’Rourke (Bendigo Pioneers)

Oakleigh Chargers flew out to a four-goal lead and never looked like losing after that against Western Jets, coming away with a 7.9 (51) to 1.1 (7) victory at Werribee. The Jets kicked their only goal late in the first term, and while the Chargers were inaccurate in the final three quarters – kicking 3.9 – they still skipped away to a 44-point win by restricting Western to just one behind.

STANDOUT: Jacinta Baxter (Oakleigh Chargers)

Playing off a wing, Baxter was sublime with her hands at ground level, working into the match and winning it with ease in the end. She had a game-high 33 disposals – 22 handballs – and opened up space for her teammates. She narrowly missed a chance to kick a major, but was lively all over the ground with three inside 50s and four tackles.

OTHERS:

Along with Baxter, the young midfield brigade of Chloe Bown and Abbey Vicino found a stack of it, while Amy Cariss-Brett on the other wing provided plenty of classy run. Forward Maiya Stobie is best known for her scoreboard impact, but she also did a lot right further up the field, while defender Lucy Cronin stood tall in defence. For the Jets, Sierra Grieves was the sole goalkicker and worked hard all game, while the likes of Ella Tyson and Hannah Brodie worked tirelessly.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Jacinta Baxter (Oakleigh Chargers)
4 – Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers)
3 – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
2 – Lucy Cronin (Oakleigh Chargers)
1 – Amy Cariss-Brett (Oakleigh Chargers)

A blistering five goals to nil start for the Eastern Ranges saw them cause an upset over a strong and in-form Geelong Falcons outfit at Shepley Oval by 20 points. Going out to as much as a 32-0 start early in the second term, Geelong clawed its way back into it, but could not make up the difference and the Ranges saluted, 8.6 (54) to 5.4 (34).

STANDOUT: Tayla McMillan

The Eastern Ranges double bottom-ager was superb in the midfield, really stepping up in the absence of key teammates. She was clean by hand and read the ball well off hands, being one of a number of important players for the Ranges in the win. As a 2007-born player she has a bright future.

OTHERS:

Eastern Ranges had an even spread across the game in terms of performers, with defender Grace Baba having an outstanding game of 17 disposals and eight rebound 50s. McMillan had an equal team-high 24 disposals with Indigo Linde. The massive ball-winning display from Sara Howley (39 disposals) continued her huge season, while winger Mekah Morrissy and skipper Chloe Adams were also impressive on the wing and midfield respectively, the latter arguably the most efficient of the Falcons players.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges)
4 – Grace Baba (Eastern Ranges)
3 – Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons)
2 – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)
1 – Mekah Morrissy (Geelong Falcons)

Northern Knights came back from a slow start to run over the top of Gippsland Power by 14 points. Booting six of the last seven goals of the match, the Knights turned a 16-point deficit midway through the second term into a 14-point win, getting up 6.1 (37) to 3.5 (23) at Preston City Oval.

STANDOUT: Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)

Despite being on the losing side, Centra was simply outstanding in the game, racking up 29 disposals and being an intercepting force behind the ball. She was our Player Focus for the week, which detailed her sublime performance.

>> ASH CENTRA PLAYER FOCUS

OTHERS:

The match-winner for the Knights was Isabella Parnell, whose two second quarter goals sparked the home side, and she finished with four majors in low-scoring win. The Knights were generally on top in the midfield, led by Phoebe Hargreaves, while Hannah Scott was consistent in defence. For the Power, Abby Hobson was a marking target up forward again, while Zali Gallagher was another standout in defeat.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
4 – Isabella Parnell (Northern Knights)
3 – Hannah Scott (Northern Knights)
2 – Abby Hobson (Gippsland Power)
1 – Phoebe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)