A RECORD win and a league-high amount of players in the Team of the Week, it was certainly a memorable round for the Dandenong Stingrays in the Coates Talent League Girls competition. The Stingrays picked up five players in the Team of the Week, with all the other winning sides recording multiple representatives.

The Stingrays are headlined by this week’s skipper and Rookie Me Central Player of the Week for Round 14 in five-goal key forward, Sophie Butterworth. She is named at full-forward, with teammates Nikita Harris and Jemma Reynolds also inside 50. With only so many spots available, the other two Stingrays in Zoe Besanko and Kayla Dalgleish were named on the bench.

Tasmania Devils also enjoyed a big win, defeating Murray Bushrangers, and the Devils finished with three players in the side. Up forward, Georgia Clark was named in the other key position role, while Mackenzie Williams slotted into a back pocket, and skipper Candice Belbin on the bench.

Geelong Falcons were the other side to manage three players in the Team of the Week, highlighted by usual representative, Sara Howley on-ball. Forward Chantal Mason was named in a forward pocket after three goals in the win, while ruck Hayley Peck made her debut in the Team of the Week. Their opponents Western Jets had the two players with Sierra Grieves (37 disposals, three goals) dominant, and Kiera Leare named on the bench.

Eastern Ranges midfielder Laura Stone made it into the starting Team of the Week again, while teammate Indigo Linde was named on the bench. They defeated Gippsland Power, who contributed two players themselves in the loss. Both Ash Centra and Amber Schutte were named in defence.

GWV Rebels also recorded two players in the Team of the Week, with midfielder Molly Walton (28 disposals) and forward Claire Mahony (two goals) both finding their places in the side. They beat Northern Knights who had the one representative in Holly Ridewood.

Sandringham Dragons picked up two representatives this round with Sophie McKay named in the centre and Emily Gough rolling into half-back. Their opponents Oakleigh had the one player in the Team of the Week, that being Lucy Cronin.

Murray Bushrangers’ Alice Voss rounded out the 24-player squad for this round, with teammate Majella Day named as the defensive emergency. Northern Knights’ Zoe Hargreaves and Dandenong Stingrays’ Meg Robertson were the other two emergencies.

2023 TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 14

B: Amber Schutte (Gippsland Power) – Lucy Cronin (Oakleigh Chargers) – Mackenzie Williams (Tasmania Devils)
HB: Alice Voss (Murray Bushrangers) – Emily Gough (Sandringham Dragons) – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
C: Laura Stone (Eastern Ranges) – Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons) – Molly Walton (GWV Rebels)
HF: Nikita Harris (Dandenong Stingrays) – Georgia Clark (Tasmania Devils) – Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)
F: Chantal Mason (Geelong Falcons) – Sophie Butterworth (Dandenong Stingrays) – Claire Mahony (GWV Rebels)
R: Hayley Peck (Geelong Falcons) – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons) – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
INT: Zoe Besanko (Dandenong Stingrays) – Kayla Dalgleish (Dandenong Stingrays) – Kiera Leare (Western Jets) – Indigo Linde (Eastern Ranges) – Candice Belbin (Tasmania Devils) – Holly Ridewood (Northern Knights)

EMG: Majella Day (Murray Bushrangers) – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights) – Meg Robertson (Dandenong Stingrays)