NINE of the 10 Coates Talent League Girls sides had multiple representatives in our Round 12 Team of the Week. Four of the five winners recorded an equal league-high three players in an even spread, as did surprise losers Geelong Falcons. Calder Cannons was the only winning side to record the two players, with the remaining four losing sides having two or less players in the Team of the Week.

The Round 12 Team of the Week captain went to our Player of the Week, Chloe Baker-West after a 36-disposal performance in the win over Sandringham Dragons. She was named alongside teammate and fellow 2007-born midfielder Jade McLay. The Dragons also had two representatives from the match make the team with ruck Ruby Dale starting in that role, and midfielder Daisy Flockart on the bench.

Oakleigh Chargers maintained their place at the top of the table and managed three players in this week’s team. In the middle, double bottom-ager Chloe Bown made it in, as did winger Jacinta Baxter. Defender Lucy Cronin was named in a back pocket, while for the Jets, bottom-age midfielder Sierra Grieves – who continued her stint up forward – was named on a flank.

Eastern Ranges took home the victory against Geelong Falcons despite missing a stack of key players. At full-back Grace Baba slotted in well after an outstanding effort, while midfielder Tayla McMillan slid to half-back. Grace Belloni was named on the bench.

For the Falcons, Sara Howley had another 39-disposal game and assumed her place at ruck rover, while teammates Mekah Morrissy (wing) and Chloe Adams (interchange) were the other representatives. Forward Seisia White was named as one of three emergencies with Ranges’ Indigo Linde and Gippsland Power’s Zali Gallagher.

Speaking of the Power, they had the two representatives make the 24-strong squad with versatile tall Ash Centra at centre half-back, and marking forward Abby Hobson at centre half-forward. They went down to Northern Knights who had three representatives, in four-goal forward Isabella Parnell, defender Hannah Scott and midfielder Phoebe Hargreaves.

In the other game for Round 12, Murray Bushrangers picked up their first win by defeating Bendigo Pioneers. Defender-turned-forward Kaylea Kobzan booted 2.2 and was named in one forward pocket opposite teammate Nikhita Spiteri who kicked three. Meanwhile Tamika Rourke was named on the bench alongside opponent Lucia Painter. Bendigo athletic top-ager Bryde O’Rourke was named at half-forward.

2023 TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 12

B: Hannah Scott (Northern Knights) – Grace Baba (Eastern Ranges) – Lucy Cronin (Oakleigh Chargers)
HB: Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges) – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power) – Jade McLay (Calder Cannons)
C: Jacinta Baxter (Oakleigh Chargers) – Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers) – Mekah Morrissy (Geelong Falcons)
HF: Bryde O’Rourke (Bendigo Pioneers) – Abby Hobson (Gippsland Power) – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
F: Kaylea Kobzan (Murra Bushrangers) – Isabella Parnell (Northern Knights) – Nikhita Spiteri (Murray Bushrangers)
R: Ruby Dale (Sandringham Dragons) – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons) – Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons) (c)
INT: Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons) – Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges) – Daisy Flockart (Sandringham Dragons) – Phoebe Hargreaves (Northern Knights) – Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers) – Tamika Rourke (Murray Bushrangers)

EMG: Zali Gallagher (Gippsland Power) – Indigo Linde (Eastern Ranges) – Seisia White (Geelong Falcons)