A FRIDAY night blockbuster kicks off Round 2 of the Coates Talent League Girls as reigning premiers Oakleigh Chargers head to Shepley Oval under lights to take on a strong Dandenong Stingrays outfit which promises to be a fantastic contest.

Friday, April 12
Shepley Oval @ 5pm

FORM:

Dandenong Stingrays are playing their first match of the season after coming off a preliminary final loss to the Chargers. They will be keen to get one-up on the talented Oakleigh side, which got the job done in a thriller down on the Apple Isle against Tasmania Devils in Round 1.

WHO’S MISSING?

Unfortunately Dandenong Stingrays will be without ruck/forward Elli Symonds for at least the first half of the year as she recovers from a stress fracture in her foot. Otherwise the Stingrays’ squad is looking pretty strong to take on an Oakleigh outfit who has regained all of its Metro hub members for the clash, while double bottom-ager Zoe Curry will not play this one after an eye-catching debut in Round 1.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Dandenong Stingrays:

Captain Zoe Besanko would have taken heaps from her experience with the best players across the country in the AFL Women’s Academy match. She will likely lineup forawrd and rotate into the ruck at times, and perhaps even midfield. Coach Josh Moore has no shortage of flexible players, with Jemma Reynolds, Kayla Dalgleish and Jemaya Bressan all capable of rolling forward after starting midfield. Moore has high hopes on bottom-age Japanese twins Mizuki and Nalu Brothwell who have been named at centre half-back and centre half-forward respectively.

Oakleigh Chargers:

The Brothwell’s could have a baptism of fire against two AFLW Academy members in Emma McDonald and Sienna Tallariti who have so much importance to the Chargers’ lineup. The pair are so strong overhead and lovely kicks of the football. Sarah Poustie remains one of the better players outside the Academy and will make her opponents work for it be it on the wing or the inside, while Abbey Vicino will appreciate having Poustie and Maggie Mahony back in Chargers colours. Over-age midfielder Sanne Bakker caught the eye in Round 1 and will be another to watch.

PREDICTION

Dandenong Stingrays always make for a competitive effort, especially on their home deck at Shepley Oval. It is hard to look past the Oakleigh Chargers in this one though, as they may well be the team to beat again this season given their mix of top-end talent and depth. However the Stingrays are likely to be there at the pointy end of the season, particularly if they are able to regain the services of Symonds ahead of finals.