A TOP two battle takes place at Kilsyth Recreation Reserve on Sunday, with the winner to secure the minor premiership. Though both are locked into finals series and will face either Northern Knights or Calder Cannons in the first week of finals, the result will determine which sides gets pole position.

Sunday, September 3 @ Kilsyth Recreation Reserve, 2pm

Second placed Eastern Ranges play host to the top of the table Oakleigh Chargers, with both sides on 10 wins this season. The Ranges’ two losses have come against the Chargers, and the Dandenong Stingrays mid-season, but have steadied to win five on the trot. They were far from convincing against Sandringham Dragons last week, getting up by two points, but regain star midfielder Laura Stone for this contest.

Oakleigh Chargers are coming off a 140-point shellacking of Bendigo Pioneers, which came just a round – though effectively six weeks – since the Chargers lost to the Dragons by five points. Oakleigh’s other loss was to Gold Coast Suns Academy. Made more challenging for both sides is the loss of some bottom-age players to the Under 17s Futures match such as Emma McDonald, Sarah Poustie and Sienna Tallariti (Oakleigh) and Georgie Brisbane and Grace Baba (Eastern)

TOP-AGE DRAFT WATCH:

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

The inclusion of Stone into the side after missing last week and the final Vic Metro game will be a big one for the Ranges, as she provides that consistent pace through the middle, and off half-back. She has been named in defence, but expect her to cover the whole ground and set plays up for her teammates. Eastern’s most important player between the arcs.

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

The star forward might have rued a number of missed opportunities last week, but form is temporary, class is permanent and Pisano certainly has the latter. Expect her to cause a number of headaches inside 50, particularly once the ball hits the deck and she will relish being back at Kilsyth as well.

#11 Jess Vukic (Eastern Ranges)
09/11/2005 | 179cm | Ruck/Forward

It is a big opportunity for Vukic to take the reins after her partner-in-crime Jacinta Hose went down with injury last week. The AFLW Academy member has talent and is looking to show it over the next month, and given she has far more experience than the opposing ruck division, will look to control play from the middle.

#24 Jemma Rigoni (Oakleigh Chargers)
04/06/2004 | 173cm | Tall Utility

Though having done her best work as a defender, the potential Melbourne father-daughter spent time up the ground last week and has been named on a wing for this clash. She has that explosive speed and power, as well as a good size to compete on talls and smalls.

#29 Kristen Smith (Oakleigh Chargers)
01/02/2004 | 166cm | Forward

The over-age forward returned for her first game last week and slotted six, as well as having a couple of goal assists. The pressure goes up 10-fold playing the second best team in the competition, but she has the strength overhead and reliability in front of the big sticks to do some damage.

#8 Lara Hausegger (Oakleigh Chargers)
03/08/2005 | 170cm | Defender

The solid defender flies under the radar at times due to just doing her job week-in, week-out. She provides some handy run and gets into the right spots, mopping up where she can. She has a good opportunity to try and bbring that drive out of defence against a quality forwardline.

FUTURE STARS:

#37 Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers)
20/12/2007 | 172cm | Midfielder/Forward

Bown has had an enormous start to her Coates Talent League career and had her best game yet last week with 25 disposals and 3.2. She can play through the middle or as that contested marking forward, and will likely be the player that can step up in McDonald’s absence. A top-end talent for 2025.

#54 Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges)
25/05/2007 | 161cm | Midfielder

Another double bottom-ager who is right amongst the most talented in her age group. Though small in stature, McMillan is class with a capital ‘C’ and she showed it around the stoppages against the Dragons. With her quick first few steps and skill by hand or foot, McMillan is a name to remember for the future.

PREDICTION:

The game looms as an absolute thriller, and Oakleigh produced an eye-opening performance just a week ago. It will be far tougher here, and the Chargers are missing more at the Under 17 Futures game, which tips the scale in favour of the home side. Expect the winner to do it in a thriller in what could be a finals preview.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Western Jets vs. Calder Cannons
Saturday, September 2 @ Skinner Reserve, 10:30am

Western Jets close out their season at Skinner Reserve by hosting fellow Metro side, Calder Cannons. The Cannons have secured their spot in the finals series and are coming off a memorable victory over Geelong Falcons last week. The Jets scraped home in a thriller against GWV Rebels to make it three wins for the season, but this will be a tough ask. AFLW Academy members Kiera Whiley and Amy Gaylor going head-to-head will be huge, while Kayley Kavanagh is coming off a season-high 35 disposals for the Cannons. Calder to take home the four points. The half-forward line of Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner, Tamara Henry and Alex McBride-Loane is outstanding, while 07-born Cannons in Chloe Baker-West and Jade McLay are others to watch.

Dandenong Stingrays vs. Geelong Falcons
Saturday, September 2 @ Shepley Oval, 12:00pm

Dandenong notched up its seventh straight win last week, this time against Tasmania Devils. It was far tougher than the previous six, having to come from behind to get the job done. Geelong Falcons were outplayed by a full-strength Calder Cannons outfit and will be keen to atone here. Expecting a close game with Vic Country co-captains Mikayla Williamson and Chloe Adams going head-to-head. Both sides are missing key players, with Dandenong minus a trio of young stars including rucks Elli Symonds and Zoe Besanko, while Geelong is without leading ball-winner Sara Howley. With Sophie Butterworth in form, expect the Stingrays at home to be too strong. Up the other end, Chantal Mason is also capable of a bag of goals.

Gippsland Power vs. Murray Bushrangers
Saturday, September 2 @ Shepley Oval, 2:00pm

In the second game of the Shepley Oval double-header, two sides wrapping up their Coates Talent League season go head-to-head in an all-Country clash. Gippsland Power will look to go four points clear of the bottom two, and ideally leapfrog Western Jets in the process. Murray Bushrangers could avoid the wooden spoon – of the full-time sides – with a win, surpassing Bendigo Pioneers. Gippsland will be minus star utility Ash Centra given she is running out in the Under 17s Futures game, which means the likes of Jasmine Sowden, Ella Stoddart and Rebecca Fitzpatrick will be crucial. For the Bushrangers, Majella Day returns as that crucial defender, while Molly McLaren and Paige Duffy will provide important run.

GWV Rebels vs. Bendigo Pioneers
Sunday, September 3 @ Mars Stadium, 9:50am

Due to the finals conferences, the ninth placed GWV Rebels will end up the fourth country team regardless of the result in the last game, though are tipped to take care of Bendigo Pioneers anyway. The Pioneers have been hit hard by injury to key players this season, and will be hoping to go out with a bang, and the Rebels are missing key forward Claire Mahony and key defender Millie Lang. It leaves some big shoes to fill by the likes of Lily Jordan and Jessica Rentsch who are capable of providing that respective scoreboard pressure nad intercepting ability. Pioneers skipper Lila Keck and left-footed speedster Keely Fullerton are a couple who can change the Pioneers’ fortunes.

Northern Knights vs. Sandringham Dragons
Sunday, September 3 @ Kilsyth Recreation Reserve, 12:00pm

Northern Knights will have a great challenge heading into finals against Sandringham Dragons in the first game of the huge metropolitan double-header at Kilsyth. The Knights will be minus Zoe Hargreaves, while the Dragons are without Sophie McKay, but both have quality players across the board. Defender Jasmine Shepherd was strong for the Dragons last week, while the run of Isabel Bacon and Daisy Flockart is also important. For the Knights, the youth of Marlo Graham, Scarlett Johnson and Mary Robinson looked impressive in the win over the Power. The Dragons are in better form taking it up to the top two sides in the competition either side of the community break, but the Knights are ever-competitive. Expect a strong showing from both teams.