A FIVE-game fixture played out across the weekend, with Oakleigh Chargers and Eastern Ranges moving to 2-0 for the year, while Gippsland Power and Bendigo Pioneers picked up a win in game one, and Sandringham Dragons bounced back to take home the four points.

Dandenong Stingrays 3.2 (20) lost to Oakleigh Chargers 11.4 (70)

Oakleigh Chargers maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a commanding 50-point win over Dandenong Stingrays at Shepley Oval. Piling on the first five goals efore the Stingrays had even scored, the Chargers always looked on top, and while Dandenong was far better than the scoreline might suggest, the Stingrays were unable to make any ground.

STANDOUT: Emma McDonald (Oakleigh Chargers)

The contested marking talent was tightly guarded in the early stages of the match but still presented well and clunked some grabs. Once she started to get off the chain it was simply sensational, and she booting two goals from 19 disposals, eight marks and four inside 50s.

OTHERS:

McDonald had a huge support cast including captain Sienna Tallariti and Chloe Thorn in defence, while Chloe Bown and Lucy Murphy both kicked three goals apiece in attack. Maggie Mahony was industrious off both sides of her body with 32 touches, while Sarah Poustie was among the better players. For the Stingrays, Kayla Dalgleish and debutant Kate Terri stepped up in defeat.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Emma McDonald (Oakleigh Chargers)
4 – Kayla Dalgleish (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – Sienna Tallariti (Oakleigh Chargers)
2 – Kate Terri (Dandenong Stingrays)
1 – Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers)

Eastern Ranges 6.5 (41) defeated Northern Knights 5.4 (34)

Eastern Ranges produced a massive come-from-behind victory against Northern Knights in a battle of the previously undefeated sides at Box Hill. The Knights kicked five consecutive goals to lead by as much as 25 points late in the third term before the Ranges came hard. Last year’s grand finalists kicked the final five goals of the game – including four in the last term – to come from the clouds and win by seven points.

STANDOUT: Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges)

The bottom-age silky midfielder backed up her Round 1 performance with a 25-disposal effort, also kicking the goal to draw within six points early in the last quarter. After winning a free kick in the dying moments, she added another to her name, and produced an all-round standout performance for the Ranges.

OTHERS:

Fellow midfielder Stasia Stevenson (28 disposals, eight tackles and eight inside 50s) was the top ball-winner in the match, while hard-running Evie Parker and bottom-age talent Jordyn Allen were also among the better players. Zoe Hargreaves was the standout player on the losing side with 24 touches and a goal, while Katelyn Busuttil and skipper Holly Ridewood were prominent throughout.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges)
4 – Stasia Stevenson (Eastern Ranges)
3 – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
2 – Evie Parker (Eastern Ranges)
1 – Jordyn Allen (Eastern Range)

Gippsland Power 12.15 (87) defeated Murray Bushrangers 0.0 (0)

Gippsland Power produced a stunning Round 1 performance to run away with a dominant 87-point win over Murray Bushrangers. The Power kept the Bushies scoreless throughout the match, kicking five goals in the second quarter and 10 after quarter time to win in outstanding fashion.

STANDOUT: Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)

The easiest ‘five vote’ decision of all time, Centra produced an all-time performance with 47 disposal, 11 marks, seven inside 50s and four goals in a dominant effort. She towered in the air, was clean as always at ground level and took the game by the scruff of the neck to enjoy a massive win.

OTHERS:

Jasmine Sowden (24 disposals, three marks, eight tackles and seven inside 50s) and Zali Gallagher (20 disposals, five inside 50s) were both strong, though the Power had a stack of winners on the day. Marking targets Abby Hobson, Chelsea Sutton and Addison Howe were all strong around the ground as well in a team effort. It was a tough day at the office for the Bushrangers Molly McLaren (21 disposals, six tackles) was the standout, while top-ager Madison Ibrahim also tried hard.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
4 – Zali Gallagher (Gippsland Power)
3 – Jasmine Sowden (Gippsland Power)
2 – Abby Hobson (Gippsland Power)
1 – Chelsea Sutton (Gippsland Power)

Bendigo Pioneers 9.4 (58) defeated Calder Cannons 6.4 (40)

A fast-starting Bendigo Pioneers outfit proved too good for Calder Cannons, securing a three-goal win at Highgate Recreation Reserve. The Pioneers slammed home the first six goals of the day to race out to a 36-point lead, before the Cannons kicked five of the last eight to make it respectable. The damage was already done though and the Pioneers enjoyed the 18-point victory.

STANDOUT: Kyla Forbes (Calder Cannons)

The left-footer returned from representing the Under 23 All-Stars to put in a big shift through the middle with 33 touches, five marks, four tackles and six inside 50s. Forbes has the potential to take her game to another level this season, and though her side was on the losing end, she stood out in the match.

OTHERS:

Funnily enough, Calder had a number of top stars despite losing with bottom-agers Chloe Baker-West and Jade McLay racking up the ball with ease, but also copping knocks at either end of the game. Jemmika Douglas looked classy coming out of defence in her return Coates Talent League game, while the top 10 talent in Lucia Painter shone once again.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Kyla Forbes (Calder Cannons)
4 – Jemmika Douglas (Bendigo Pioneers)
3 – Jade McLay (Calder Cannons)
2 – Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons)
1 – Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)

Sandringham Dragons 8.9 (57) defeated Western Jets 6.5 (41)

Sandringham Dragons got on the winners’ list in season 2024, with the home side recording a 16-point win over Western Jets at Trevor Barker Oval on Sunday. The Dragons narrowly led through the majority of the match and then kicked three goals to two in the final term to secure the four points.

STANDOUT: Mia Zielinski (Sandringham Dragons)

The tall forward kicked five goals in a relatively low-scoring game, making up over a third of the goals kicked. Using her extra year of experience, Zielinski racked up 16 touches, six marks and booted 5.2 in an imposing performance for the Dragons to kick off her over-age year with a bang.

OTHERS:

The Dragons could have raffled it through the midfield with the return of Sophie McKay to share the load alongside Daisy Flockart and Scout Howden who provided ball-winning on the inside and outside. For the Jets, AFLW Academy member Sierra Grieves had the all on a string with 31 touches, three marks, 11 tackles, 10 inside 50s and two goals, while defenders Lou-Lou Field and Ellie Pawlowski also tried hard throughout the match.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Mia Zielinski (Sandringham Dragons)
4 – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
3 – Daisy Flockart (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Scout Howden (Sandringham Dragons)
1 – Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons)