A CLASH of the here and now up against the future takes place at Morwell Recreation Reserve when Gippsland Power plays host to Eastern Ranges. Both sides have draftable talent across all years, but in particular Eastern’s top-age crop, and Gippsland’s bottom-age and double bottom-age groups are particularly strong.

We focus on those ahead of the big match, and cast our eye across the other five Round 14 matches in the Coates Talent League Girls competition.

Sunday, July 15 @ Morwell Recreation Reserve, 12pm

Two sides with plenty of draftable talent meet at Morwell Recreation Reserve, with title contenders Eastern Ranges travelling to meet the younger, but much improved Gippsland Power. On paper, the Ranges, led by a couple of AFLW Academy stars and an array of Vic Metro members look the team to beat, but the Power have been ultra competitive in recent weeks credit to a host of 2007-born talents who have thrived in the program.

Missing quality players in Rounds 8 and 10 where the Ranges went down to fellow contenders Dandenong Stingrays and Oakleigh Chargers by five goals each, Eastern has picked up since, posting wins over Calder Cannons and Geelong Falcons, the latter thanks to an incredible start. Gippsland Power might not have the wins on the board of other teams, but were competitive against both Northern Knights and Geelong Falcons the past fortnight, and could easily have scrapped together five wins with a bit more luck.

For this preview, we take focus on the Eastern Ranges from a top-age draft approach, and the Gippsland Power from a future draft approach.

TOP-AGE DRAFT WATCH:

#10 Laura Stone (Eastern Ranges)
22/11/2005 | 170cm | Midfielder/Defender

Enjoying an outstanding season and national carnival, Stone would be the leading contender for Vic Metro’s MVP if she continues her form into the final game. She has the explosive speed and knack of finding the pill with ease, she can also drift back and use that speed off half-back. She has all the traits that club look for in a midfielder and defender, which is why she is touted among the top five players.

#14 Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges)
01/07/2005 | 162cm | Forward

Despite Vic Metro having limited chances on the weekend, Pisano still found a way to convert two goals, and should have had a couple more. Her deadly left foot causes so many headaches for the opposition and she will no doubt apply the same concerning thought for the Power staff in this game. If she is given an inch, she will take a mile and do a lot of damage on the scoreboard.

#38 Georgia Stubs (Eastern Ranges)
16/07/2005 | 165cm | Midfielder

Eastern Ranges had a lot of high-profile players coming into the season, but one person who has impressed beyond expectations is Stubs. Holding her own in the Vic Metro midfield, she can get involved in transition. She is not a high-production player compared to some others – averaging 13.1 disposals across her seven Talent League Games – but she makes good decisions and uses it well.

OTHERS:

Given the amount of talent at the Ranges disposal at top-age level, it would be remiss not to mention the likes of ruck Jess Vukic who is one of the most technically sound tap rucks going around, and rebounding defender Ava Campbell who will have a big job likely on Centra or one of the young Power forwards on the weekend.

FUTURE STARS:

#16 Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
06/02/2006 | 174cm | Tall Utility

Starting forward last week, Centra did a wealth of damage with an early goal and kicking 2.3 for the game covering the ground well. She has improved in that area of her profile, with her football skills and general athleticism outstanding. If there is one player that would concern the Ranges coaching staff in terms of matchups, it is Centra who can play on any line, and is incredibly difficult to beat in the air, or bring to ground.

#15 Jasmine Sowden (Gippsland Power)
17/12/2006 | 163cm | Midfielder

One of the impressive players coming into the Gippsland Power lineup this year, Sowden has quickly established herself as the next one in line from the Power for 2024. She has those eye-catching athletic traits and can kick it well and over long distances. Though she is a smaller midfielder at 163cm, she can work her way out of traffic and has settled into a midfield role without any issues whatsoever.

#19 Ella Stoddart (Gippsland Power)
30/01/2007 | 172cm | Defender

The Vic Country Under 16s MVP just keeps finding the ball and can be relied upon to provide that rebound out of defence. She plays with an aggressive style, and when she can get on her left side, do a lot of damage. She is competitive in the air, and powerful at ground level, with a season and a half already under her belt at Talent League level.

OTHERS:

Gippsland Power has brought in a trio of 2007-born players to add to Stoddart in Rebecca Fitzpatrick, Chelsea Sutton and Abby Hobson who are all shaping as genuine prospects. They play in the front half of the ground, and Sutton and Hobson are the two marking targets, while Fitzpatrick is the damaging distributor.

PREDICTION:

Eastern Ranges have the extra experience and are a genuine contender this season, but Gippsland Power’s crop over the next couple of years looks incredibly exciting and they will be a team to watch. In this game, the Power should be competitive, but expect the Ranges to have that extra class and be too strong.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Tasmania Devils vs. Murray Bushrangers
Saturday, July 15 @ North Hobart Oval, 11:00am

Tasmania Devils have an opportunity to regain some form they might have lost of late, taking on the last-placed Murray Bushrangers on the Apple Isle. Competitive last week but unable to take home the chocolates against the Oakleigh Chargers, the Devils will be favoured to beat a Bushrangers side that has been on the improve of late. The ruck battle between two in-form players in Tunisha Kikoak and Destiny Dodd should be fascinating.

Northern Knights vs. GWV Rebels
Saturday, July 15 @ Preston City Oval, 11:30am

It was a long time between drinks, but the GWV Rebels finally picked up their third win against Murray Bushrangers after five consecutive losses to move to 3-6 for the season. The Knights are having no such trouble at the moment, notching up the victories to be equal second thanks to some superb depth at their disposal at the bottom-age and double bottom-age level. The Knights’ sister act of Zoe and Phoebe Hargreaves has been pivotal for the Knights’ success, while Millie Lang looms as a key player to stop the forward thrusts from the opposition.

Western Jets vs. Geelong Falcons
Saturday, July 15 @ Williamstown Football Ground, 12:00pm

No doubt disappointed with the loss to Eastern Ranges last week, Geelong Falcons will be out to repent against Western Jets who are still stuck on one win from nine games. The Jets lost a lot of their top-age talent from their premiership last season, and have been bringing in some future stars. The return of Sierra Grieves to tackle fellow bottom-ager Sara Howley will be a matchup to keep an eye on in the game.

Dandenong Stingrays vs. Bendigo Pioneers
Saturday, July 15 @ Shepley Oval, 1:00pm

Dandenong Stingrays took a little while to hit their straps, but have done so over the past month, having won all four games since the community break. The Stingrays sat at 2-3 after five rounds, but are now up at 6-3 and within striking distance of the top four. Bendigo Pioneers are struggling with injury to top talents at the moment which makes the task even harder, with Bryde O’Rourke having plenty of responsibility through the middle. The Stingrays ruck-midfielder combination of Elli Symonds and Mikayla Williamson has been on fire of late and is an area where the Stingrays can take control out of the middle. The last time these teams played the Stingrays won by 107 points.

Oakleigh Chargers vs. Sandringham Dragons
Saturday, July 15 @ Warrawee Park, 2:00pm

Rounding out the weekend’s action is a metropolitan rivalry game at Warrawee Park between Oakleigh Chargers and Sandringham Dragons. The Chargers will be heavily fancied in this one, sitting atop the Talent League Girls ladder and firing on all cylinders. The Dragons have improved over the past month, but lost to Calder and Dandenong the past fortnight after stringing three consecutive wins together. Chargers forward Emma McDonald is the danger inside 50, while potential Carlton father-daughter prospect Sophie McKay is the Dragons’ X-factor in the middle.