A GRAND final rematch takes place tomorrow between Oakleigh Chargers and Eastern Ranges, with both sides unbeaten from the opening two rounds. GWS Giants Academy also enters the Coates Talent League Girls competition, while Bendigo Pioneers host a second consecutive game and will look for a second straight win.

Sunday, April 21
Blacktown International Sportspark @ 10:00am

FORM:

Giants Academy enter the Coates Talent League Girls for the first time in 2024, taking on a Tasmania Devils outfit that pushed reigning premiers Oakleigh Chargers in Round 1 at home, and will now hit the road for the first time.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Giants Academy:

GWS Giants Academy have a nice balance across the board with talented forward/midfielder Ashley Patton an AFLW Academy member with class and speed. Ellie Hall plays her first competitive match in over a year since injuring her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), while co-captains Megan Mifsud and Sophia de Castella, and athletic top-ager Amelie Prosser-Shaw are others to keep in mind.

>> GWS Giants Academy preview

Tasmania Devils:

The Devils will welcome back defender Mackenzie Williams to the lineup after her AFLW Academy stint, while over-ager Jasmyn Thompson has been named beside her at half-back. Up forward, Ava Read has shown her potency in front of goal, while the midfield combination of Sophie Strong and bottom-agers Priya Bowering and Harriet Bingley is a strong one.

PREDICTION

Going off the Devils’ work against Oakleigh they will e a formidable lineup this season, however at home with confidence coming out of both the Summer Series and AFLW Under 16 Championships, the Giants Academy will be difficult to beat.

Sunday, April 21
Warrawee Park @ 11:00am

FORM:

In the first grand final rematch for 2024, both Oakleigh Chargers and Eastern Ranges come in unbeaten off two matches. The Chargers defeated the Devils in a nail-biter before storming away from Dandenong Stingrays. Eastern got the better of Sandringham Dragons in Round 1, before needing to come from behind to knock off Northern Knights last weekend.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Oakleigh Chargers:

The Chargers have no shortage of stars with key forward Emma McDonald so hard to beat in the air, and she has the athleticism to get it done once the ball hits the deck. Captain Sienna Tallariti sets up the defence well, while the midfield of Maggie Mahony, Sarah Poustie and Sanne Bakker will step up in the absence of the injured Abbey Vicino.

Eastern Ranges:

The Ranges midfield of Tayla McMillan, Grace Belloni and Stasia Stevenson showed plenty last week, with co-vice-captains Molly Paterson and Evie Parker also finding plenty of the ball. AFLW Academy member Grace Baba could well go head-to-head with McDonald in a one-on-one that would promise plenty.

PREDICTION

A tough match to predict but Oakleigh’s form last Friday night was ominous, and back at home at Warrawee Park, expect the Chargers to make a statement in the grand final lineup. Regardless, both sides have plenty of talent across the board.

Sunday, April 21
Queen Elizabeth Oval @ 11:30am

FORM:

Bendigo Pioneers are coming off an impressive win at this very ground up against Calder Cannons in Round 2, while Western Jets went down to Sandringham Dragons, but not without a fight and will want to bounce back with a victory here.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Bendigo Pioneers:

AFLW Academy member Lucia Painter was impressive first-up for the Pioneers in Round 2, while Jemmika Douglas and Olivia Lacy coming off half-back were key players in the win. The Pioneers have a host of marking forwards now as well, with captain Alexis Gregor alongside the likes of Gabrielle Drage and Sienna Hobbs.

Western Jets:

Midfield dynamo Sierra Grieves was outstanding last week and expect her to find plenty of the ball again in Round 3, while going forward and hitting the scoreboard. Skipper Lou-Lou Field will miss this game, but Ellie Pawlowski and Alex McBride-Loane will hold up the defence.

PREDICTION

At home and looking good last week, Bendigo Pioneers seem to be a team to watch this season with some dangerous ball users and contested marking forwards. The Jets will be better for the run last week, but it will be tough without Field in defence given Bendigo’s strong forwards.