OAKLEIGH Chargers saluted in a thrilling seven-point victory over Eastern Ranges in the 2023 Coates Talent League Girls Grand Final on Saturday at Ikon Park. As always, we took note of the top performers from both sides, focusing on those who have represented Vic Metro, have Draft Combine invites or are under-age prospects.

All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

EASTERN RANGES:

#6 Hayley McLaughlin
22/11/2005 | 164cm | Wing

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles

McLaughlin produced a solid performance without being outstanding, as she contributed between the arcs. She had a lot less space than usual given the pressure around the ball carrier, but still had some big moments such as a bullet pass towards Georgie Brisbane in the second term, and a great run-down tackle in the third quarter in the attacking 50.

#9 Emma Stilve
13/01/2006 | 164cm | Forward

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

Continuing her impressive finals series, Stilve got the crowd up and about early with a clever snap on goal in the first term that bounced home. She could have had a second major in the third quarter after winning a free kick but missed that set shot. Still, she set up a goal to Pisano in the second quarter and also delivered a perfectly weighted kick to a loose McLaughlin inside 50.

#10 Laura Stone
22/11/2005 | 170cm | Defender/Midfielder

Stats: 30 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Simply superb throughout the game, Stone racked up 14 disposals in the first term and had 24 by the final break Though often under pressure, Stone did get her running game going at times and was able to quickly dish off by hand before absorbing contact, or burst from the stoppage and go forward. Though she went at 50 per cent by foot, she went at a greater than 50 per cent contested rate, winning the first possession often and having and outstanding influence on the game.

#11 Jess Vukic
09/11/2005 | 179cm | Ruck/Forward

Stats: 6 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 28 hitouts

Though she did not win a lot of it, Vukic controlled the ruck predominantly playing in that role then resting forward. She clocked up 28 hitouts – almost double the opposition’s total count of 16 – and time and time again palmed the ball down to either a teammate or open space for a Ranges player to run onto. Vukic continued to compete around the ground and getting her hands dirty once the ball hit the deck.

#14 Alyssia Pisano
01/07/2005 | 162cm | Forward

Stats: 8 disposals, 4 tackles, 3 goals

Threatened to be the gamebreaker in the match, Pisano kicked two majors in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit back to six points and give her side a sniff. She finished with three for the game, and while the Chargers will be happy with 90 per cent of the match keeping her contained, she had four touches and those two goals in the last term which goes to her match-winning ability.

#17 Grace Baba
17/09/2006 | 176cm | Defender

Stats: 23 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 4 rebounds 50s

The raw but talented bottom-age defender played her best game of the season, and had a ripping final term that saw her play super aggressive up the field. Though naturally an accountable defender, she was given the licence to run and carry, and she did just that, pumping the ball forward and putting pressure on the opposition. She almost kicked a goal earlier in the game that just missed, but it came off the back of multiple efforts and touches dashing down the ground.

#19 Ava Campbell
29/07/2005 | 174cm | Defender

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 9 rebound 50s

The skipper worked hard in defence, and was a force in the air, taking a number of strong grabs. Reading the ball in flight and distributing down the ground is her bread and butter, and though at times she could get caught out of position or unluckily gave away a free kick such as a high tackle on Baxter, her efforts were very strong and she refused to give in throughout the four quarters.

#22 Grace Belloni
09/09/2006 | 175cm | Forward/Midfielder

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 inside 50s

The taller midfielder/forward was not as prolific as other games but still worked hard and had some big moments. It included presenting well across the course of the game and competed both at ground level and in the air. Her polish is an area that will come with time, but her strength and versatility holds her in good stead for next year.

#38 Georgia Stubs
16/07/2005 | 165cm | Midfielder

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 3 rebound 50s

Stubs is an interesting player because the draftable qualities are there, it is just about piecing it together. She has the strength, is generally good overhead and has brilliant second and third efforts. Though she needs to get cleaner at ground level, Stubs still had a strong game cracking in for four quarters and asserting her influence. Though she did not win a clearance in the match, Stubs worked hard in defence to mop up and help out her teammates.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#1 Jacinta Baxter
18/01/2006 | 162cm | Forward

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 goal

The bottom-ager is a classy player with some nice speed, kicking a goal in the opening term after being taken high in a tackle close to goal. She was able to dish off quickly on a number of occasions, and perhaps could have had a second goal but rushed a little with a one-two after having a set shot going into goal. Still, was one of the more impressive distributors in transition.

#2 Sarah Poustie
05/01/2006 | 170cm | Midfielder

Stats: 20 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

After a quiet first term, Poustie got going in the second quarter, racking up nine disposals and being a real influence for the Chargers. She is so strong overhead, and works hard at ground level, winning multiple clearances and is able to weight her kicks well. In the third term, Poustie laid a terrific smother at half-forward to keep the ball in the area. Her defensive pressure, coupled with her inside performance was important in getting the win.

#3 Sienna Tallariti
10/07/2006 | 168cm | Defender

Stats: 32 disposals, 12 marks, 5 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 6 rebound 50s

The best on ground comfortably in the end, Tallariti played a four-quarter performance and racked up season-high totals of 32 disposals and 12 marks in the process. Her aerial prowess was sublime and she rebounded the ball time and time again. When Eastern was coming hard in the fourth quarter, Tallariti clunked a whopping five marks and had nine disposals, as well as three tackles and three rebound 50s.

#5 Abbey Vicino
13/02/2006 | 158cm | Midfielder

Stats: 20 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 rebound 50s

Vicino has enjoyed an impressive finals series, and that continued in the win over Eastern. She had 20 disposals, four clearances and laid six tackles, using her burst out of stoppages to full advantage. The bottom-ager was very impressive defensively as well as offensively, and is quick to dispose of the ball by hand or foot.

#6 Maggie Mahony
19/10/2006 | 161cm | Midfielder

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

An absolute wrecking ball, Mahony played the grand final on the edge, cannoning into players – fairly – by putting her body on the line and not holding back. She won a stack of ball under pressure, and though she can be rushed at times, she provides some run as well and got the ball forward to help her teammates inside 50. Overall one of those players who is built for finals football.

#8 Lara Hausegger
03/08/2005 | 170cm | Defender

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Arguably her best game, the premiership captain really stood up under pressure in critical moments and did everything she could to get her side over the line. Though at times she can rush under pressure, she puts her body on the line, and took a number of crucial intercept marks in defence. Hausegger does all the team things and one percenters and definitely played her role with a hard-running game across four quarters.

#10 Amy Cariss-Brett
20/03/2005 | 166cm | Wing

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 6 inside 50s

Having a real influence with ball-in-hand, Cariss-Brett showed her dash and was one of the few that found space in transition. Most of her touches were able to gain her side distance, running hard on a wing and distributing inside 50 on multiple occasions. She weaved around opponents early and delivered a great kick into McDonald, then set up a number of scoring chances in the second half with low kicks inside 50.

#17 Lucy Cronin
10/05/2005 | 177cm | Defender

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s

One of a number of strong defenders, Cronin has enjoyed a really impressive finish to the season. She is tall enough to compete with the bigger forwards, while also scrapping at ground level to win her fair share of the ball there too. She has some nice dash and a long kick, with draftable traits which she showed in the grand final.

#19 Charlotte Brewer
09/11/2006 | 164cm | Defender

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackes

Though Pisano got away from her in the last quarter, Brewer kept the dangerous forward to just four touches and no marks in the first three quarters, while having nine disposals herself. Really good one-on-one, the bottom-ager adds pressure at ground level and reads the play well, everything you want in a general defender who can play offensively and defensively.

#24 Jemma Rigoni
04/06/2004 | 173cm | Wing

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 5 rebound 50s

The potential Melbourne father-daughter prospect does not need a lot of touches to have an influence, but her metres gained is what stands out in a match. She can be a touch rough when it comes to bouncing the ball given the speed at which she takes off from half-back, but her work to get into space and take grass was impressive. She ended up playing behind the ball more and getting familiar with defence where she played most of her football earlier in the year, and certainly caught the eye on numerous occasions.

#25 Emma McDonald
18/04/2006 | 180cm | Forward

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 5 hitouts, 3 inside 50s

The key forward rarely found space but still bullocked her way to an impressive game playing at half-forward. She clunked four marks from 15 disposals, but perhaps the most impressive aspect was her ability to run off half-forward and lay a tackle on the wing to force a stoppage. Rather than wait forward for a play to happen, McDonald is a proactive forward who tries to impact every contest she attends.