IN her second Coates Talent League Girls game back from a long-term ankle injury that curtailed her season last year, Bendigo Pioneers’ Lucia Painter made every post a winner during her side’s second consecutive win on the weekend.

The Pioneers star racked up 30 disposals, six marks, 13 tackles, 11 inside 50s and kicked 1.2 in a starring role through midfield and attack. Her strength overhead has always been a highlight of her game, and she showed on the weekend how damaging she can be when on-song, bringing her own ball to the game.

She had the most touches of anyone on her side and second most behind Western Jets’ Sierra Grieves who was again industrious for the losers with 34 disposals, 10 tackles and eight inside 50s. The other massive ball-winner on the weekend was Geelong Falcons’ Sara Howley who had the 34 touches, five marks, four tackles, three inside 50s, two rebound 50s and kicked the first goal of the game in the loss to Dandenong Stingrays.

Around the grounds there were several eye-catchers for both Gippsland Power and Sydney Swans Academy, with Power midfielder Jasmine Sowden racking up 32 disposals, five marks, four tackles, four inside 50s and nine rebound 50s helping out the defence. For the Swans, Imogen Brown and Emma Juneja both caught the eye with their work across the ground.

In Oakleigh Chargers’ convincing win over Eastern Ranges, Emma McDonald was again fantastic with 21 touches, three marks and three goals, while both Maggie Mahony and Sarah Poustie stood tall. Grace Belloni and Tayla McMillan were phenomenal in the loss.

Tasmanian ruck Tunisha Kikoak was another impressive player, stepping up for the Devils, booting two majors from 24 touches, 15 hitouts and five inside 50s. Inside 50 at Preston City Oval, Phoebe Hargreaves kicked three goals from nine touches and four marks for the Northern Knights in a win over GWV Rebels.

2024 COATES TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Round 1 – Marlo Graham (Northern Knights)
Round 2 – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
Round 3 – Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)