NORTHERN Academy sides were heavily invested in Round 4 of the Coates Talent League, with the two Queensland Academies joining the fray. Gold Coast Suns once again ended Oakleigh Chargers’ unbeaten streak, while the GWS Giants Academy had a win, and Bendigo Pioneers became the last undefeated team standing in the competition.

Gold Coast Suns Academy 8.10 (58) defeated Oakleigh Chargers 4.2 (26)

Repeating the win from 12 months ago, Gold Coast Suns Academy came from behind to knock off reigning Coates Talent League Girls premiers, Oakleigh Chargers in an inspirational 32-point win. The Suns, under new coach Jess Sedunary, kicked the last four goals of the game to come from 16 points down at the final break to win by 11, 8.10 (58) to 7.5 (47).

STANDOUT: Georja Davies (Suns Academy)

Playing a variety of roles, the athletic tall bottom-ager played through the ruck, behind the ball and even being a marking target in the front half as she helped herself to 23 disposals, four marks, five tackles, 20 hitouts, six inside 50s and two rebound 50s in the win.

OTHERS:

Teaming up with Davies in the ruck was pick one contender Havana Harris who was equally as versatile between ruck, midfield and forward, while fellow AFLW Academy talent Tara Harrington had a game-high 27 disposals. Mia Salisbury and Dekota Baron also came up big in crunch moments. Oakleigh Chargers midfielder Sarah Poustie (24 disposals, 13 tackles) and Maggie Mahony (23 disposals, six tackles and a goal) and defenders Sienna Tallariti and Chloe Thorn had impressive moments.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Georja Davies (Suns Academy)
4 – Havana Harris (Suns Academy)
3 – Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers)
2 – Sienna Tallariti (Oakleigh Chargers)
1 – Tara Harrington (Suns Academy)

Eastern Ranges 8.6 (54) defeated Sydney Swans Academy 5.2 (32)

Eastern Ranges survived a third quarter scare from Sydney Swans Academy to record a 22-point win at Highgate Recreation Reserve. The Ranges kicked five of the first six goals of the game to race out to a 25-point lead in the second term, before the Swans kicked the next four. Eastern was able to settle in the fourth quarter with the final three goals of the game to bring up another four points.

STANDOUT: Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges)

McMillan was one of a number of Ranges midfielders who teamed up well across the board, having 27 disposals, three marks, nine tackles and five inside 50s, working well in close and spreading to the outside. Her class and smart shine through, but she is equally as strong defensively too.

OTHERS:

The votes could have been raffled between McMillan, fellow bottom-ager Jordyn Allen and top-age winger Evie Parker who were all prominent, while other midfielders Grace Belloni and Molly Paterson contributed strongly. Imogen Brown crashed and bashed through the middle and kicked a nice goal, while Ellie Veerhuis and Taya White were good in defence, and Lucy Yates had the ball on a string through the middle.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges)
4 – Evie Parker (Eastern Ranges)
3 – Jordyn Allen (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Imogen Brown (Swans Academy)
1 – Ellie Veerhuis (Swans Academy)

Dandenong Stingrays 9.8 (62) defeated Gippsland Power 1.8 (14)

Dandenong Stingrays kicked away from a determined Gippsland Power to secure an eight-goal win and make it two victories on the trot. The Stingrays kicked nine of the 10 goals in the match, and were more accurate on goal resulting in the 48-point triumph.

STANDOUT: Kayla Dalgleish (Dandenong Stingrays)

Playing deep forward rather than her rotational mid-forward role, Dalgleish booted five majors from 17 touches and looked every bit the part of a small forward. She crumbed, pressured and finished well to be the dominant player on the day.

OTHERS:

Dalgleish’s partner-in-crime in the midfield Jemma Reynolds was sensational moving from the inside to the outside. She picked up 29 disposals, seven marks, six inside 50s and kicked a goal, while fellow midfielder Nikita Harris and defensive duo, Mizuki Brothwell and debutant Ruby Geurts both showed promising signs for the future. Gippsland’s midfield stars in Jasmine Sowden and Ash Centra tried hard, Ella Stoddart found plenty of the ball and Abby Hobson provided an aerial target.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Kayla Dalgleish (Dandenong Stingrays)
4 – Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – Mizuki Brothwell (Dandenong Stingrays)
2 – Jasmine Sowden (Gippsland Power)
1 – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)

Brisbane Lions Academy 1.4 (10) lost to Northern Knights 8.5 (53)

Northern Knights travelled north to take on the Lions Academy and came home with the four points, producing an impressive four-quarter performance, Kicking the first seven goals in the match, the Knights always had control of proceedings, eventually taking out the match by 43 points and moving to the top of the Talent League Girls ladder.

STANDOUT: Marlo Graham (Northern Knights)

The bottom-age talent who was our Round 1 Player of the Week put in another big shift, accumulating 27 touches, four marks, eight tackles, and five inside 50s in the win. She is clean by hand and quick to dispose of it, as well as being creative in the front half of the ground.

OTHERS:

In the hardest game of the round to award votes, both teams had evenly spread contributors. Bottom-age midfielder Katelyn Busuttil found plenty of the football, with skipper Holly Ridewood and top AFLW Draft prospect Zoe Hargreaves productive, as was Hannah Scott. The Lions also had players stand out with Isabella McDonough (21 disposals) the most for the Lions, while Mia Geere and Laura Roy were also strong.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Marlo Graham (Northern Knights)
4 – Katelyn Busuttil (Northern Knights)
3 – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
2 – Isabella McDonough (Lions Academy)
1 – Mia Geere (Lions Academy)

Sandringham Dragons 4.9 (33) lost to GWS Giants Academy 12.10 (82)

GWS Giants Academy bounced back from a first-up loss to the Tasmania Devils to storm to a 49-point road win over Sandringham Dragons. The Giants booted nine goals to three after quarter time en route to a comfortable 12.10 (82) to 4.9 (33) victory, with two of the Dragons’ goals coming in the final term.

STANDOUT: Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons)

Despite being on the losing side, McKay was clearly best afield, amassing 31 disposals and slotting two goals primarily playing midfield and resting forward. The Carlton father-daughter prospect was back to her brutal best, providing extraction from stoppages and working hard in transition.

OTHERS:

In an even contributing performance across the board, Giants bottom-ager Isla Wiencke had another big game, picking up 25 touches and having 11 inside 50s. Amelie Prosser-Shaw and Megan Mifsud were among the best in midfield, while Ashley Patton (two goals from 14 touches) and Darcie Prosser-Shaw (three goals from eight touches) were among the more dangerous forwards. For the Dragons, Scout Howden and Daisy Flockart were productive again, while Mia Zielinski added another two goals to her name.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons)
4 – Isla Wiencke (GWS Giants Academy)
3 – Amelie Prosser-Shaw (GWS Giants Academy)
2 – Scout Howden (Sandringham Dragons)
1 – Ash Patton (GWS Giants Academy)

Bendigo Pioneers 9.15 (69) defeated Murray Bushrangers 6.5 (41)

Bendigo Pioneers overcame a fast-starting Murray Bushrangers to become the last Coates Talent League Girls team to be undefeated, running away 28-point winners. The Pioneers trailed by three goals at the first break, but kicked eight goals to two after quarter time to win in an inaccurate, 9.15 (69) to 6.5 (41) result.

STANDOUT: Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)

Painter racked up the ball with ease, finishing with 32 disposals, seven marks, seven tackles, nine inside 50s and booted 1.3 to be prominent in the front half of the ground. She was a prime mover on-ball then provided a presence up forward, and though she missed some chances, set others up as well.

OTHERS:

There were some dominant performances from the Pioneers’ top-age contingent with co-captain Lexi Gregor booting 3.2 from 18 disposals and nine marks, while Gabrielle Drage (17 disposals, five marks and 2.3) and Jemmika Douglas (18 disposals, four marks and five tackles) were both strong. Sophia Green was impressive on debut coming off the AFLW Under 16 Championships, collecting a team-high 25 touches for the Bushrangers, while Madison Ibrahim and Nikhita Spiteri were also dangerous.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)
4 – Lexi Gregor (Bendigo Pioneers)
3 – Gabby Drage (Bendigo Pioneers)
2 – Jemmika Douglas (Bendigo Pioneers)
1 – Sophia Green (Murray Bushrangers)

Tasmania Devils 11.5 (71) defeated GWV Rebels 2.6 (18)

Making it back-to-back wins, Tasmania Devils ventured to Victoria for the first time this season to post an impressive 53-point win over the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels. A five goals to one second term was ultimately the difference, and while the Devils did not score in the third term, they kicked four goals in the last to run away with the game.

STANDOUT: Mischa Barwin (Tasmania Devils)

Barwin was a clear standout on the day, racking up 27 disposals through the midfield and then going forward and slotted three goals in the final term to cap off a great performance for the Devils. She was awarded our Player of the Week for her efforts.

OTHERS:

The Devils has plenty of impressive contributors with ruck/forward Tunisha Kikoak producing big once again, while forward Ava Read (2.4) and Josie Rose (4.0) kicked multiple goals. Midfielder Priya Bowering (27 disposals, five marks and a goal) was her industrious self as well. For the Rebels, Isabella Davies had a match-high 29 touches, while Elise Cook and Elsie Conroy were among the best.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Mischa Barwin (Tasmania Devils)
4 – Tunisha Kikoak (Tasmania Devils)
3 – Ava Read (Tasmania Devils)
2 – Isabella Davies (GWV Rebels)
1 – Elise Cook (GWV Rebels)