A TRIPLE treat of Coates Talent League Girls action takes place on Sunday with four more teams playing their first games of the season. The matches are at Craigieburn, Bendigo and Sandringham with the chance for some to unveil some fresh faces.

Sunday, April 14
Highgate Recreation Reserve @ 12:00pm

FORM:

Neither of these sides has played yet this season, which means they will be raring at the bit to go and try and get premiership points on the board.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Gippsland Power:

There are fewer more exciting players in this year’s AFLW Draft crop than Ash Centra, with the talented utility near impossible to stop. With elite skills and decision making, she is a natural playmaker who can turn a game on its head. Gippsland has plenty of growing talent at the club now, with Jasmine Sowden a dual-sided midfielder with huge defensive pressure and nice speed. Abby Hobson a marking forward to remember for next year, as is rebounding defender Ella Stoddart.

Murray Bushrangers:

The Bushrangers are missing some players from their best side, but defender Madison Ibrahim is a Vic Country hub member, while bottom-age midfielder Molly McLaren is a consistent inside ball-winner. The likes of Ellie Armstrong and newcomer Lyla Bell are also highly rated and should impress in 2024.

PREDICTION

Gippsland Power looks to be closer to full strength in this one, and while they are playing at a neutral venue, expect the more experienced Power to take the upper hand.

Sunday, April 14
Queen Elizabeth Oval @ 12:00pm

FORM:

Calder Cannons is coming off a loss at home to Northern Knights last week, going down by four goals. Bendigo Pioneers have had to wait the extra week to get out on the park, so will be fresh to take on the Cannons at midday, while not leaving their homeground.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Bendigo Pioneers:

Bendigo will be thrilled to welcome back AFLW Academy member Lucia Painter for the first time since injuring her ankle mid-year last year. The top-ager will be the player to watch from the home side, though another player returning from injury is forward and captain Alexis Gregor, who will team up with the talented Gabrielle Drage up forward. Jemmika Douglas is another class act who is returning from injury last season.

Calder Cannons:

The Cannons will be looking to gain the return of Kyla Forbes who played for the Under 23 All-Stars last round. She is not the only big inclusion for the Cannons, with star bottom-ager and Under 16s Vic Metro MVP Chloe Baker-West also back in the side. She will complement Jade McLay who was fantastic in defeat last week, while Stephanie Mitchell is yet another inclusion for the visitors who showed promising signs last year.

PREDICTION

Calder Cannons are getting closer to full strength, and while Bendigo at home with its top-end talent will not be easy, having the run last round could prove crucial. Calder should do well around the ball and give its forwards more opportunities this week.

Sunday, April 15
Trevor Barker Oval @ 1:30pm

FORM:

Western Jets enter the competition for their first match of the season after the additional week’s break. They take on a Sandringham Dragons outfit that went down to Eastern Ranges in Round 1 with a slow start proving costly in the end.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Sandringham Dragons:

Impressive ball-winner Scout Howden was the clear star for the Dragons last week and will enjoy having AFLW Academy member and potential top 10 pick Sophie McKay back in the midfield. Kera Galaminda Gellar also had a great experience representing the Under 23 All-Stars up forward, while Daisy Flockart is a naturally classy talent who can play on multiple lines.

Western Jets:

The Jets have two star AFLW Draft prospects for this year in Sierra Grieves and Lou-Lou Field who will likely play midfield/forward and half-back/wing respectively. One for 2025 to remember is Jets’ tall Alex McBride-Loane who has been named at centre half-back, but has the potential to go forward as well.

PREDICTION

Sandringham Dragons will benefit from the Round 1 hitout and given the depth to compliment the top-end quality, and being at home, should get the job done. The Western Jets have a young list so will likely get better as the year goes on.