OAKLEIGH Chargers and Eastern Ranges will face off in the 2023 Talent League Girls Grand Final after winning their respective preliminary finals on the weekend. Both games had plenty of individual highlights at Shepley Oval, as the Chargers knocked out the Dandenong Stingrays, and the Ranges proved too strong for the Geelong Falcons.

Oakleigh Chargers produced a four-quarter performance to take down the hosts at Shepley Oval, ending Dandenong Stingrays’ nine-game winning streak. Booting two goals to nil in the opening term, the Chargers held sway despite the Stingrays coming at them in the second term, closing the gap to 10 points at one stage.

That was as close as it got however, with Oakleigh booting four of the last six goals to stamp their authority on the contest in an entertaining win 8.5 (53) to 5.3 (33).

STANDOUT: Mikayla Williamson (Dandenong Stingrays)

The hard-running Stingrays midfielder found plenty of the ball in an impressive display, collecting 26 disposals and having three inside 50s and two rebound 50s working up and down the ground. She stood up in crucial moments and was productive across four quarters despite being on the losing side

OTHERS:

From the winners, it was an even team performance rather than having a particular standout. Bottom-age midfielder Sarah Poustie was impressive across the ground with 19 disposals, four marks and nine tackles, while Jacinta Baxter got forward to kick two goals from 18 disposals. Jorja Jackson and Maggie Mahony chipped in with their fair share of the pill; in the middle, while Charlotte Brewer and Lucy Cronin stood up in the back half.

Ruck Elli Symonds dominated through the ruck with 25 disposals, 21 hitouts and two goals, sharing the load with Zoe Besanko (nine disposals, 25 hitouts and a goal). Skipper Jemma Ramsdale played another important role in defence, while the likes of Meg Robertson and Jemma Reynolds found their fair share of the ball.

Top ranked metropolitan team Eastern Ranges never looked like losing in a dominant 10-goal win over Geelong Falcons in the second match of the double-header at Shepley Oval. Taking full advantage of the breeze in the opening term, Eastern piled on five goals to nil and lead by 33 points.

Winning each of the four quarters, the Ranges blew out to a 58-point lead at the final break, and while Geelong kicked a couple of consolation majors in the final term, ultimately went down, 12.11 (83) to 3.5 (23).

STANDOUT: Hayley McLaughlin (Eastern Ranges)

The Eastern Ranges winger put in a strong shift against the Falcons, racking up 19 disposals, two marks, five tackles and even getting free forward to take a good mark and kick a nice goal. Providing some great run in transition, she stood up when it counted and was critical between the arcs.

OTHERS:

McLaughlin was far from alone in the win though, as AFLW Academy member Laura Stone produced her best game since returning from injury, picking up 18 disposals, six inside 50s and laying six tackles, while Alyssia Pisano looked dangerous but finished the game with 2.4 from 10 touches. Grace Belloni, Mackenzie Bourne and Georgie Brisbane all kicked a couple of goals each, while Indigo Linde, Evie Parker, Jordyn Allen and Ava Campbell had some big games.

For Geelong, midfield duo Sara Howley (23 disposals, seven marks, five tackles and five rebound 50s) and Chloe Adams worked hard all game, as did defender Johanna Sunderland (19 disposals, three marks, four tackles and fie rebound 50s) who impressed one-on-one against Pisano. Ruck Hayley Peck also had her moments for the losing side.