A FULL complement of Coates Talent League Girls matches returned over the weekend with six games taking place in the penultimate round. Only Murray Bushrangers had the bye, and some of those top-age players suited up with the Bendigo Pioneers, as teams jostled towards finals spots.

Calder Cannons capped off their regular season with a strong finish to defeat Western Jets bby 29 points on the weekend. The Cannons had their work cut out for them during the match, only leading by eight points at the final change, but a 3.3 to 0.0 last quarter saw the visitors secure a 7.13 (55) to 4.2 (26) win at Skinner Reserve.

STANDOUT: Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons)

The consistent midfielder continued her incredible 2023 season with another best on ground performance, earning five votes for 25 disposals, four marks, five tackles and two inside 50s, as well as a couple of behinds. Getting involved on both the inside and outside, she was a force to be reckoned with across the game.

OTHERS:

The Cannons midfielder was among a host of usual suspects who stood up, with fellow midfielders Amy Gaylor having seven inside 50s apiece and providing plenty of drive forward. Skipper Amy Trindade was lively in attack kicking a handy goal, while double bottom-ager Shauna McElligott kicked 2.2 from 16 disposals. For the Jets, Stella Cossey and Zoe Attard found their fair share of the ball, while Tamara Henry kicked a couple of goals in the loss.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons)
4 – Amy Gaylor (Calder Cannons)
3 – Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons)
2 – Amy Trindade (Calder Cannons)
1 – Stella Cossey (Western Jets)

Dandenong Stingrays stormed to an eighth consecutive win with a strong seven-goal victory over Geelong Falcons at Shepley Oval. The Stingrays found themselves down by 11 points at quarter time after Geelong kicked four first quarter goals, but Dandenong defence kicked the last eight goals of the game to run away 10.8 (68) to 4.2 (26) winners.

STANDOUT: Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons)

Despite playing in a loss, it was hard to look past Adams as a clear best on ground in the absence of usual ball magnet, Sara Howley. The Geelong skipper racked up 38 disposals – 14 more than any other player on the field and 21 more than anyone on her team – Adams worked hard all match between midfield and defence to crack in and try and help her team get over the line.

OTHERS:

Dandenong had a more even spread of contributors, with skipper Jemma Ramsdale producing another sensational performance to earn best afield honours for her side. She was well supported by Abbey Tregellis (three goals) up the other end, and the likes of Stella Rogers and Mikayla Williamson. For Geelong, Stella Huxtable and Hayley Peck tried hard.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons)
4 – Jemma Ramsdale (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – Abbey Tregellis (Dandenong Stingrays)
2 – Stella Rogers (Dandenong Stingrays)
1 – Mikayla Williamson (Dandenong Stingrays)

Gippsland Power produced one of its best performances of the season to down Murray Bushrangers by 51 points in the second match of a Saturday double-header at Shepley Oval. The Power did all their best work in the first three quarters to race out to a 57-point lead at the final change, and while Murray did win the last quarter with the only two goals, still went down, 9.11 (65) to 2.2 (14).

STANDOUT: Abby Hobson (Gippsland Power)

The 2007-born forward was simply sensational with her marking inside 50, clunking 11 grabs – a lot of which were contested – to go with 18 disposals – all kicks – in the big win. Had she capitalised on all her chances she could have had an even bigger day out, but finished with 4.3 in an eye-catching performance.

OTHERS:

Gippsland’s other multiple goalkicker was midfielder Jasmine Sowden who spent significant time forward in the match and still accumulated 23 disposals, took seven marks and laid 13 tackles while finishing with two goals. Alisha Molesworth, Ella Stoddart and Siena Lane also had their moments in a strong team performance. For Murray, two of the key standouts were tall defender Alice Voss and 2008-born talent Rose Bell.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Abby Hobson (Gippsland Power)
4 – Jasmine Sowden (Gippsland Power)
3 – Alice Voss (Murray Bushrangers)
2 – Alisha Molesworth (Gippsland Power)
1 – Rose Bell (Murray Bushrangers)

A six goals to nil final term resulted in Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels storming away with a 37-point win over Bendigo Pioneers in a Sunday morning clash. The Pioneers threatened to cause an upset on the road at Mars Stadium leading by two points at the last change, but the Rebels stepped up to storm home in a ripping fourth quarter.

STANDOUT: Jess Rentsch (GWV Rebels)

The GWV Rebels captain played her best game of the season, slotting three goals from 27 disposals, two of which were from 50. She also laid seven tackles and had 11 inside 50s, in a clear standout best on ground performance. She won Player of the Week for her performance in steering the Rebels to victory.

OTHERS:

Fellow Vic Country representative Lily Jordan racked up 29 kicks and disposals, as well as 11 inside 50s in a strong performance, while ruck Laila Lappin found a stack of the ball as well. Through the middle, Molly Walton and Tyla Crabtree worked hard on the inside, while double bottom-ager Ruby Thomas kicked two goals from 16 disposals on debut. Steph Demeo was a standout for Pioneers who had 27 disposals, while Olivia Lacy and Ella Jeffrey were also among the better players.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Jess Rentsch (GWV Rebels)
4 – Lily Jordan (GWV Rebels)
3 – Molly Walton (GWV Rebels)
2 – Steph Demeo (Bendigo Pioneers)
1 – Ruby Thomas (GWV Rebels)

Sandringham Dragons saved possibly their best performance until last, kicking the first five goals of the match against Northern Knights and winning by 44 points in a high scoring contest at Kilsyth Recreation Reserve. The Dragons lead by as much as 41 points midway through the second term, and while the Knights kept it even after that, it was a case of too little, too late in the 14.4 (88) to 7.2 (49).

STANDOUT: Isabel Bacon (Sandringham Dragons)

The top-age speedster went to another level in the game in a dazzling effort across four quarters. Bacon produced 20 disposals, nine inside 50s and 13 tackles while kicking an incredible goal to-boot. Stepping up both offensively and defensively, Bacon was a tar in the win and pieced together all her traits in the one game.

OTHERS:

Along with Bacon, fellow Vic Metro top-ager Emily Gough looked good across the ground, while bottom-ager Daisy Flockart and top-age forward Mia Zielinski (three goals) also impressed. The ruck battle between Maddison Torpey and Knights’ Lauren Jatczak was a matchup to watch. Suwindi Buckley and Hannah Scott also had some nice moments.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Isabel Bacon (Sandringham Dragons)
4 – Daisy Flockart (Sandringham Dragons)
3 – Emily Gough (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Maddison Torpey (Sandringham Dragons)
1 – Lauren Jatczak (Northern Knights)

Eastern Ranges stormed to a massive win over Oakleigh Chargers to take top spot on the Coates Talent League Girls ladder to finish the season. The Ranges kicked away with eight goals to one in the second half to win by 49 points at Kilsyth Recreation Reserve. Only leading by seven points at the main break, the Ranges kicked 8.2 to 1.2 to run out 11.7 (73) to 3.6 (24) winners.

STANDOUT: Georgia Stubs (Eastern Ranges)

The Eastern Ranges top-ager was strong and consistent across the four quarters, totalling up 18 disposals, two marks, seven tackles, six inside 50s and a goal to be a key player on-ball. She worked hard all game, and continued her good form in the second half of the season.

OTHERS:

The Ranges had a variety of contributors including noted goalkickers Georgia Knight (four goals) and Alyssia Pisano (three), while ruck Jess Vukic (11 disposals, 21 hitouts) played one of her best games of the season. Tayla McMillan and Hayley McLaughlin shared in an equal team-high 19 disposals. For the Chargers, Maggie Mahony (25 disposals, 12 tackles and five inside 50s) worked hard all game with Chloe Bown (23 disposals, five marks, seven tackles, seven inside 50s and a goal) also a standout in the loss.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Georgia Stubs (Eastern Ranges)
4 – Georgia Knight (Eastern Ranges)
3 – Jess Vukic (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers)
1 – Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges)