A FULL compliment of Northern Academy sides filled out Round 4 of the Coates Talent League Girls competition with a range of top-age, bottom-age and Under 16s talents impressing across the seven matches. We highlighted some of the players who caught the eye, with the notes the opinion of the individual writer.

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

SUNS ACADEMY:

#15 Sunny Lappin
Forward | 169cm | 28/11/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50, 2 goals

The potential Carlton and St Kilda father-daughter prospect looked dangerous inside 50, finishing off with a couple of classy majors. Showing clean hands and great forward craft, she kicked both of her goals in the final term to help get the Suns Academy the win. In both cases it was getting into the right spot and converting under pressure well.

#17 Alannah Welsh
Utility | 170cm | 23/11/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 goal

Welsh throws herself at every contest and plays with a natural aggressive nature. The bottom-ager is a versatile type who plays on all three lines, and did everything from running out of deep defence, to slotting the winning goal in the final fe minutes of the match. She kicked her major being on the end of a chain of handballs, and while she did not have massive numbers in the game, still caught the eye.

#22 Tara Harrington
Midfielder | 166cm | 24/03/2006

Stats: 27 disposals, 5 marks, 12 tackles, 7 inside 50s

Racking up more touches than anyone else on the ground, Harrington was fierce on the inside and applied stacks of defensive pressure. Her efficiency was lower than what she has the potential to produce, but the pressure around the ball made it difficult for everyone. She was important in extracting it from the coalface, and certainly added to that pressure with her dozen tackles.

#23 Mia Salisbury
Defender/Midfielder | 168cm | 27/06/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Salisbury continues to grow in confidence and she had a good first outing in the competition, showing clean hands at ground level and getting involved in the defensive half of the ground. She pushed up when required and is composed with ball-in-hand. In one instance midway through the third term, she was in the defensive 50 with three opponents approaching and she managed to trick them all going one way then turning back and nailing a pass to Harrington.

#29 Georja Davies
Utility | 183cm | 17/01/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 20 hitouts, 6 inside 50s

A standout on the day, Davies took most of the stoppages around the ground, and also dropped back into defence to take a couple of good marks behind the ball. She showed her athleticism and has freedom to roam similar to Harris with her ground level game strong for a tall and she can get involved in transition as well which helps. Her aggression is a big tick too.

#30 Havana Harris
Ruck/Midfielder | 181cm | 01/07/2006

Stats: 23 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 24 hitouts, 11 inside 50s

Harris starting in the ruck at centre bounces then transforming into a midfielder at the stoppages around the ground at times is a unique element that only really the Suns Academy can do. She did her usual thing where she won a stack of hitouts, found space and burst away, pumping it long inside 50. Her quick tap early in the third term set up a goal to Baron, and she was just too tall and athletic in the ruck for her opponents.

#31 Dekota Baron
Forward | 178cm | 03/01/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks, 9 hitouts, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 4 goals

The main goalkicker on the day, Baron finished the match with four goals, including two in the third term to keep the Suns Academy within striking distance. Her fourth quarter goal from a set shot gave them the spark needed to go on with it and she almost had a fifth late in the match but was just touched on the way through. Overall played her role at full-forward and provided a marking target.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#2 Sarah Poustie
Midfielder | 170cm | 05/01/2006

Stats: 24 disposals, 13 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

A standout for the Chargers, Poustie provided a presence both around and outside the contest, racking up the ball at will and laying stacks of tackles along the way. She covered the ground with ease and won some free kicks for going in hard and getting to the ball first, also dishing off cleanly when she had her chance. Overall in a touch game for outside touches, Poustie did find some space and brought the necessary heat required.

#3 Sienna Tallariti
Defender | 168cm | 10/07/2006

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 8 rebound 50s

In her toughest challenge to-date this year, Tallariti could hold her head high in defeat, still marshalling her defence well in the back 50 even when under siege. The Suns Academy ran over the top of the Chargers, but Tallariti did what she could, disposing of the ball cleanly under pressure and intercepting on a number of occasions to settle down the visitors.

#6 Maggie Mahony
Midfielder | 161cm | 19/10/2006

Stats: 23 disposals, 6 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

It was another industrious performance from the midfielder who found a way to hit the scoreboard again after charging forward following an opposition turnover. She has great finishing capability and did so midway through the third term, while maintaining a fierce attack on the ball and setting up teammates to score via clearances.

#9 Chloe Bown
Forward | 174cm | 20/12/2007

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals

Even when not winning a lot of the ball, Bown finds a way to look dangerous, kicking two goals from her nine touches and applying good defensive pressure inside 50. She had another snap hit the post to almost make it three majors, but the forward pushed up to the wing at times and worked back when required.

#14 Chloe Thorn
Defender | 166cm | 07/09/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 tackles, 6 rebound 50s

The bottom-ager is becoming a really important cog in the Chargers’ back six with consistent rebound coming out of defence. She copped a big knock in the middle late in the first term, but bounced back to have an influence and save the Chargers on a number of occasions, and was among the best for her work both competing in the air, and mostly applying defensive pressure and delivering out of the back 50.

#19 Charlotte Brewer
Defender | 165cm | 11/09/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 marks, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Brewer worked well alongside Thorn to provide some rebound, and while she did not have it on her terms as much as the last couple of weeks, was able to compete strongly one-on-one and more often than not deliver well to half-back or down the field. She got up the field as well to hold a high line when the Chargers were on the front foot.

#20 Emma Stark
Wing | 165cm | 01/02/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 1 goal

Providing run and carry on the outside, Stark still had an impact in the game despite it being an inside-heavy match. She found 15 touches, dashed forward and even kicked a clever goal via a snap from congestion inside 50 at a crucial time early in the third term. The NT local has provided a nice touch of run on the outside to work well with over-ager Amy Cariss-Brett and take over Poustie’s wing role.

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

EASTERN RANGES:

#6 Tayla McMillan
Midfielder | 161cm | 25/05/2007

Stats: 27 disposals, 3 marks, 9 tackles, 5 inside 50s

Another big game from the bottom-ager who has that brilliant balance of class and toughness. Though she distributes the ball cleanly, McMillan is not afraid to get her hands dirty and the 161cm midfielder gives as good as she gets. She can deliver pinpoint passes with time and space and laid a great tackle on Juneja in the final term when the Swans Academy member tried to step around her. A fierce competitor.

#10 Jordyn Allen
Midfielder | 166cm | 12/11/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Playing even more minutes through the midfield in this game, Allen found plenty of the ball across the four quarters. Though early on her efficiency was lower than her usual silky self, Allen worked into the game well and her vision and precision by had stood out. In the fourth term, she scooped in a ball one-handed at speed and under pressure, to be able to dish off cleanly to a teammate.

#11 Grace Belloni
Midfielder | 174cm | 09/09/2006

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 tackles, 1 goal

Belloni did not have the time and space she likes when charging down the ground which led to a more predominant handball game (14 handballs, nine kicks) compared to her usual gamestyle of predominant kicking. However, the Ranges midfielder still used her body well and showed her strength around the stoppages, dishing off by hand to bring others into the game.

#12 Georgia Knight
Forward | 164cm | 11/10/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 7 marks, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Knight worked up the ground at times and was strong overhead, clunking seven marks across the course of the match. Her sole goal came from a great spin and snap late in the first term, but most impressively set up goals to Cleo Smith and Emma Stilve with unselfish passes across the forward 50. Overall it was her most well-rounded game of the year.

#24 Evie Parker
Wing | 179cm | 06/07/2006

Stats: 24 disposals, 10 marks, 2 tackles, 6 inside 50s

The tall winger does not do too much wrong, with a great athletic base and aerial presence that allows her to find space and kick long inside 50. Though at ground level she could be a touch cleaner, she continually gets into ball-winning positions and plays that outside role well, looking to go long to dangerous positions.

#35 Molly Paterson
Midfielder | 170cm | 11/02/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 marks, 4 inside 50s

It was a hard working performance from the midfielder who just kept bobbing up across the ground, hitting up short chip passes or quick release handballs to teammates. She missed a set shot that should have been capitalised on, but kept presenting into space and opening up angles for her teammates to kick to.

SWANS ACADEMY:

#10 Ella Parker
Defender | 170cm | 04/10/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles, 2 rebound 50s

Parker has settled into defence this season and stepped up from game one to game to and have more of an impact against the Ranges. She was outmarked by Georgie Brisbane one-on-one early, but fought back well against smaller opponents to take a number of good intercept gabs. She found space, ran hard and often looked to team up with Juneja to provide dash out of defence and down the ground.

#19 Amelia Martin
Forward/Midfielder | 173cm | 08/09/2006

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 1 goal

The top-age talent is a good size with some eye-catching traits and defensive accountability playing in the forward half. Martin showed a nice burst at times and had a highlight when taking it cleanly at speed and running past opponents to snap across her body in the third term for a goal. She applied pressure throughout the game and though her production was lower this week, still did some nice things.

#21 Ellie Veerhuis
Defender | 171cm | 18/01/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

A generally effective defender who can win it in the air or at ground level and take on a variety of opponents. She does her best work peeling off and looking. torun forward, getting higher up the ground and dishing off cleanly. She was a player teammates looked to for some run deep in defence, and she was clean by hand when she did charge away and ran into trouble.

#22 Emma Juneja
Wing | 170cm | 08/05/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 8 marks, 3 tackles, 3 rebound 50s

The AFLW Academy member was a touch quieter than the week before, but still showed her aerial strength to clunk eight marks and try for run and carry. She always looks to sidestep opponents, and while it can run her into trouble, the reward is worth the risk. With time and space she delivers well, and is developing her delivery under pressure.

#24 Imogen Brown
Midfielder | 169cm | 03/03/2005

Stats: 19 disposals, 8 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

The over-ager has had a good couple of weeks and that continued with another strong one against the Ranges. Brown is ultra-competitive with repeat pressure acts, and her finishing ability is also something special. Taking a strangely high bounce while running – starting at her chest – Brown still controlled the ball and then finished off well with the major in the second term. Her kicking is effective more often than not as well.

#26 Taya White
Defender | 171cm | 25/05/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 6 rebound 50s

Usually tasked with either the kickouts or the very next touch, White has provided a balance of offensive and defensive traits for the Swans. She has the run and carry to bring the ball down the field in transition, but can compete well one-on-one and take intercept marks against an opponent too.

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

DANDENONG STINGRAYS:

#3 Jemma Reynolds
Midfielder/Forward | 163cm | 29/04/2006

Stats: 29 disposals, 7 marks, 3 tackles, 6 inside 50s

Reynolds had the ball on a string across the game, racking up 29 touches, taking seven marks and having six inside 50s. She is so clean and composed with ball-in-hand, her extraction from inside to outside catches the eye. Further developing that first-possession ground ball winning element is an area for the future, but as a second-possession winner or straight off ruck taps, Reynolds can do an immense amount of damage with ball-in-hand.

#11 Kayla Dalgleish
Forward | 161cm | 15/07/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 5 goals

Stationed at full-forward for the match, Dalgleish was outstanding, booting half of the game’s goals with five majors from 17 disposals, marking it on the lead, and cleanly taking it at ground level to cause all sorts of headaches for the Power defence. She also applied great defensive pressure too. Her performance was detailed in our Player Focus for Round 4.

>> Kayla Dalgleish Player Focus

#13 Nikita Harris
Midfielder | 162cm | 01/01/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 8 tackles, 2 inside 50s

Dalgleish playing forward enabled Harris to essentially spend her time in the middle, and she was ale to extract the ball from congestion with quick handballs. Usually a 50 per cent split in her possessions, Harris had just the three kicks from 20 touches, showing just how close she was on the inside and often was a first-possession winner and dished it off to teammates on the outside.

#17 Evelyn Connolly
Forward | 169cm | 26/05/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

The bottom-ager looked dangerous inside 50, kicking a goal from three scoring shots and being a marking target at half-forward. She works hard and hsas a strong frame she looks to break through tackles, converting her major after a set shot late in the third term. She had another chance in the opening minute of the fourth term following a fantastic tackle, and while her set shot fell short, Dalgleish marked and converted the goal.

#22 Mizuki Brothwell
Defender | 170cm | 22/10/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Each week Brothwell has offered an element to the Stingrays, and her game against the Power was her best yet. She is still a raw talent and ironing out some fundamentals, but she possesses good hands and is not afraid to run and carry. She set up Dalgleish’s fifth goal with a clean gather in the middle and had the composure to sidestep an opponent and kick long inside 50.

#54 Ruby Geurts
Defender | 169cm | 17/09/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 1 rebound 50

The Under 16s All-Australian member held her own on debut, tasked with the kickouts and providing run and carry out of defence. She had a couple of shaky kicks first up, but settled into the game and got her lovely delivery going to add a point of difference to the Stingrays’ defence.

GIPPSLAND POWER:

#3 Zali Gallagher
Wing | 162cm | 08/07/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 6 marks, 7 tackles, 3 rebound 50s

The hard-running Power wing always brings pressure wherever she goes, and she ran hard up and down the ground to provide a marking option. Strong above her head for her size, Gallagher was particularly prolific in the first half, and had a great run-down tackle on Jemaya Bressan to win a free kick as one highlight.

#15 Jasmine Sowden
Midfielder | 164cm | 17/12/2006

Stats: 27 disposals, 6 marks, 6 tackles, 3 inside 50s

The damaging midfielder provided her usual output, going in hard, winning the ball and using both sides of her body. Her second and third efforts are strong, and her defensive pressure was high. She was usually effective with her disposal, and has enough pace to breakaway or sidestep an opponent. Can do a bit too much at times such as a no-look handball, but when she does the fundamentals she is able to influence the contest.

#16 Ash Centra
Midfielder/Forward | 174cm | 02/06/2006

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 marks, 6 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

After an illness-interrupted match last week, Centra was back and looking strong once again, teaming up well with Sowden in the middle. She was composed with ball-in-hand, used it well and found it in each third of the ground. She weights her kicks so well and her decision making is sublime. She has had bigger games, but Centra made her presence felt around the ground and had an impact.

#19 Ella Stoddart
Defender | 173cm | 30/01/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 3 marks, 5 rebound 50s

The rebounding defender did just that, driving it out of the back 50 consistently. She gets into ball-winning positions and thumps it long, and this season has started to use her opposite right foot a touch more. Generally kicking long down the line to safety, Stoddart is competitive in the air and puts her body on the line at ground level, it is just about tidying up the final execution under pressure at times.

#32 Abby Hobson
Forward | 174cm | 11/09/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 7 marks, 2 behinds

Boasting velcro hands, Hobson is such a fantastic presence in the forward half of the ground as once she sticks the mits up, she is so hard to spoil. Most of her touches come from marking, but she does work hard at ground level too. Had some chances on goal that did not pan out, but is not afriad to crash packs when required.

Brisbane Lions Academy 1.4 (10) defeated Northern Knights 8.5 (53)

LIONS ACADEMY:

#3 Zimra Hussain
Forward/Midfielder | 01/01/2006 | 160cm

Stats: 13 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles

Playing in a different role to her usual rebounding from defence, Hussain was inside 50 looking to craft some scoring chances. She did not get many opportunities but runs hard to get to the right positions which enables her to rack up touches quickly. She had a snap towards goal late in the first term that was intercept, and again in the second, before having some time further afield later in the match.

#11 Mia Geere
Midfielder | 171cm | 08/04/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The Under 16s All-Australian caught the eye with her moment around the ground and was not afraid to take the game on. She tucked the ball under her arm and even took a bounce at one stage to hit a precise pass to McIlwain inside 50. Strong overhead and capable of playing in all positions, Geere had a promising debut.

#12 Isabella McDonough
Midfielder | 164cm | 13/02/2006

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 7 inside 50s

McDonough won more of the ball than any other player and had that balance of offensive and defensive traits down pat. She applies great defensive pressure and looked to get the ball forward every chance she got, with some nice touches transitioning the ball from midfield into attack and working hard in that half of the ground.

#28 Harlee McIlwain
Forward | 174cm | 07/04/2008

Stats: 9 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 4 inside 50s

Another Under 16s All-Australian coming in for her debut, McIlwain provided a promising target inside 50 and leading out of the forward 50. She has strong hands, competes in the air and at ground level and gives herself opportunities to score. Though she finished with just the one behind and missed others, she showed promising forward craft in the match.

#30 Laura Roy
Defender | 172cm | 16/08/2005

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 11 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

The over-ager has played in a variety of roles, but on the weekend was stationed at centre half-back and drove the ball out of the defensive 50 on a number of occasions. As a stronger player, Roy applied plenty of tackling pressure, and then late in the game got forward and had a ping at the goal which missed to the near left side.

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

#3 Marlo Graham
Midfielder/Forward | 163cm | 15/11/2007

Stats: 27 disposals, 4 marks, 8 tackles, 5 inside 50s

Graham had another big game after her Round 1 performance yielded a Player of the Week nomination, collecting 27 disposals on the weekend. She is very quick to dispose of the ball and has nice vision to dish off, and while her set shot from 35m was touched on the line, she provided some class in the front half of the ground. Graham is still quite light and gets pushed off the ball rather easily, but once she has it, she does plenty of good with it.

#5 Zoe Hargreaves
Midfielder | 172cm | 03/06/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 5 inside 50s

The Vic Metro hub member started in the middle and won the first clearance and inside 50 for her side, and finished the match with a solid overall performance. She set up some goalscoring chances for her teammates and did well at one stage to fake a handball to distract the opposition before kicking forward as she was bumped. Though she can blaze away at times, her power and impact-per-possession through her running is high.

#7 Scarlett Johnson
Forward | 174cm | 26/11/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 4 hitouts, 2 goals

Johnson had a purple patch early in the third term where she kicked two goals in two minutes with great finishes, one from a set shot and the other from a turn and snap. She set up a goal to Phoebe Hargreaves in the first term as well and though she did not win a heap of it, always looked dangerous around the ball.

#10 Katelyn Busuttil
Midfielder | 163cm | 15/02/2007

Stats: 26 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles, 2 inside 50s

A handball-heavy performance from the bottom-ager who won a lot of touches at ground level and in close where she quickly dished off to other teammates. Busuttil covers the ground well and is a natural first-possession winner but also applies defensive pressure too. With only one in three of her touches being kicks, developing her outside game will be an area to build on over the next 18 months, but for now she is contributing well on the inside.

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

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#14 Mia Zielinski
Forward | 174cm | 21/07/2005

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals, 3 behinds

Zielinski had to work harder and push up the ground more to get involved this week after nine goals in her first fortnight. She kicked a couple of consolation majors in the fourth term and did well to set up others as well with clever taps and nice weighted kicks around the forward 50. Her work rate was an area she has improved the last 12 months.

#15 Sophie McKay
Midfielder/Forward | 168cm | 27/04/2006

Stats: 31 disposals, 2 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals

The star of the show and the clear best on ground despite the loss, McKay showed her class and ball-winning ability all around the ground. She kicked the goal of the day off a step while being off balance in the first term, then converted a more regulation set shot late in the third quarter. She provided dash from the contest, made smart decisions and stepped up when required to try and get her team back into it.

#21 Daisy Flockart
Midfielder | 179cm | 23/02/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Flockhart supported McKay well on the inside and drove the ball inside 50 on a number of occasions. She covered the ground well from defence to attack, and was strong overhead. Though under pressure can thump the ball forward, she is able to use her size in order to get a disposal away even when tackled.

#46 Scout Howden
Wing | 174cm | 17/02/2006

Stats: 24 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 2 rebound 50s

Has not played a bad game all year and that continue on the weekend with another 24 disposals and four-quarter effort. Though Howden can make some errors and dropped a chest mark at one stage late in the third term, her second and third efforts to win the ball back are noticeable and she continually works into space to win it and drive the ball forward. She even got back to win it on the last line of defence, showing great understanding of when to add an extra number behind the ball.

GIANTS ACADEMY:

#15 Eliza Matthews
Wing | 169cm | 27/07/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Matthews was one who caught the eye throughout the game as she was clean at ground level and used the ball well going forward. An outside player who creates her own space, she looks to be an option and delivered a lovely kick to Patton who was all alone inside 50 early in the fourth quarter. Overall a promising performance from the bottom-ager.

#20 Ashley Patton
Forward | 170cm | 26/09/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 2 goals

Another AFLW Academy member in the match, Patton improved on her first week performance to kick a couple of goals and look dangerous. She is strong overhead, has a nice burst and is classy around goals, nailing two majors from finding uncontested marks inside 50. Her first was the most impressive, slotting it with a quick turn and kick off a couple of steps.

#23 Amelie Prosser-Shaw
Midfielder | 175cm | 14/11/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 8 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The older Prosser-Shaw sibling is building a nice start to her top-age season, and while there was less space for her to roam in, she got her hands dirty and applied plenty of pressure. She moves well out of a stoppage and has a long booming kick which puts pressure on opposition defences. Her run and carry when given the opportunity was handy and she was rock solid once again.

#32 Isla Wiencke
Midfielder/Forward | 174cm | 30/03/2007

Stats: 25 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 11 inside 50s

Showing sheer strength time and time again, Wiencke was able to break through multiple tackles and get the ball inside 50 a ridiculous 11 times. The bottom-ager shrugs tackles really well, and if she is brought down, can usually dispose of the ball in time. Had a chance on goal in the fourth term but was bumped as she kicked it.

#36 Darcie Prosser-Shaw
Forward | 174cm | 02/06/2008

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 3 goals

In her second game, the AFLW Under 16s Pool B Best and Fairest winner converted three goals and all were classy finishes. Though a natural midfielder, she is starting her Under 18s career as a forward, and showed she can do the job there as well, with some smarts inside 50.

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

BENDIGO PIONEERS:

#5 Lucia Painter
Midfielder/Forward | 174cm | 23/02/2006

Stats: 32 disposals, 7 marks, 7 tackles, 9 inside 50s, 1 goal, 3 behinds

It was another dominant display from the top-age star who just about did it all. Painter won the ball in all thirds of the ground, applied pressure, burst forward and had chances on goal. Her sole major came via a set shot, with some misses both from st shots and quick attempts, but she also set up a number of scoring opportunities for her teammates. A clear standout on the day with her work both inside and up forward.

#7 Gabrielle Drage
Forward/Midfielder | 173cm | 21/05/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals, 3 behinds

Drage started forward and then moved into the midfield once again where she was able to find the ball well and contribute in a strongly built on-ball group. She got forward to take a couple of good marks and convert set shot goals, with one other falling short and another couple just missing. The left-footer is a point of difference in the midfield and looks dangerous when the ball is in her area.

#13 Jemmika Douglas
Defender | 166cm | 20/02/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 2 inside 50s

The classy defender worked up the group nicely and loves to take the game on. She is so strong overhead for a player of 166cm, and she takes on opponents taller than her. She backs herself at ground level with ball-in-hand and opens the transitional game up with her delivery and decision making. One to watch further develop this season.

#26 Sienna Hobbs
Forward | 179cm | 14/10/2006

Stats: 9 disposals, 3 marks, 6 hitouts, 1 goal, 4 behinds

Though inaccuracy might have hurt her final numbers, Hobbs still showed some enticing traits as a forward. She is strong overhead, a great size at 179cm and she showed the capacity to be good below her knees as well, having a snap after picking it up off the deck in the second term. She could have finished with a big day out, but her work to get into the right spots was at least a tick.

#45 Alexis Gregor
Forward | 180cm | 07/04/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 9 marks, 3 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 3 goals, 2 behinds

Gregor’s confidence is coming back and she was outstanding inside 50 providing a strong presence. The key forward clunked nine marks and kicked three goals including an early one off a quick snap. She is mobile for her size, has a penetrating kick and works hard up the ground. A Vic Country key forward to remember as she will be a difficult matchup for opposition defenders.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS:

#10 Sophia Green
Defender/Midfielder | 171cm | 22/11/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Debuts do not come much better than Green’s performance, who coming off an impressive Under 16s campaign, racked up the ball with 25 touches coming out of defence and pushing up to the middle of the ground. She set up a first quarter goal to Ellie Armstrong and always looked to run and carry, generally disposing of it well. She was crunched early in the second term and had to come off, but returned to run out the game and make an impact as the Bushies’ best.

#14 Nikhita Spiteri
Forward | 169cm | 20/07/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal, 3 behinds

Spiteri looked incredibly dangerous inside 50 with a number of chances on goal that could have handed the Bushrangers an even larger quarter time lead. She has the evasion and smarts to find space and get into goal-scoring positions, and can win the ball via a mark or competing at ground level. Though Spiteri could have a touch more composure, she has high upside and is a highlight real waiting to happen.

#23 Madison Ibrahim
Defender/Midfielder | 169cm | 12/12/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 8 rebound 50s, 1 goal

The Vic Country hub member tried hard all game and worked from defence into the middle and eve capped off her performance with a goal in the final term. She disposed of the ball well by hand or foot and was clean at ground level. A lot of her play came via transitional running rather than intercept marking, but she still contributed and had some great moments.

#24 Rose Bell
Defender | 170cm | 18/03/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 7 marks, 4 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

Bell did get a taste of Under 18s action last year, and she was stationed in defence for the Bushrangers this time. Her overhead marking was a feature of her game, and she clunked seven marks from her 10 disposals. Time ad time again she would intercept and drive it out of the back 50, then had a stint in midfield during the fourth quarter. A play in the second term that caught the eye included a crunching goal-saving tackle, followed up by winning the ball and clearing it to safety.

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

By: Michael Alvaro

TASMANIA DEVILS:

#1 Mischa Barwin
Forward/Midfielder | 164cm | 04/12/2007

Stats: 27 disposals, 6 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 3 goals

In an electric performance which yielded Player of the Week honours, Barwin brought plenty of energy and speed to Tasmania’s forward line. She looked most dangerous when roaming up the ground, marking, and accelerating back towards goal in full flight. The first of her three final quarter majors came in such fashion, as the bottom-ager stormed inside 50 and finished on the run. Barwin’s tackling pressure was also terrific and while sometimes prone to blazing away by foot, she launched the ball into dangerous areas to compound her metres gained through run-and-carry.

#4 Ava Read
Forward | 176cm | 21/06/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 goals, 4 behinds

Read may be unorthodox at times but is largely effective as a tall forward with great range and agility. Her ability to step back and evade opponents came in handy throughout a productive outing in attack, along with the usual overhead marks she plucked at the top of her reach. Read dribbled home the game’s first major and snapped another in term two, posting six scoring shots overall to be a constant threat around goal.

#15 Priya Bowering
Midfielder | 167cm | 02/01/2007

Stats: 27 disposals, 5 marks, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Bowering produced her most prolific game of the season so far, racking up 27 disposals. She accumulated possessions through work rate, chain running to win the ball multiple times in the same passage and getting her hands dirty with repeat efforts at stoppages. Her strong hands and penetrating kick came in handy at different points too, like her 40m set shot goal in term two.

#29 Mackenzie Williams
Defender | 171cm | 26/06/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 15 kicks, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Williams held a typically high line while Tasmania attacked and cut off plenty of GWV rebounds through sheer competitiveness. She intercepted the ball just about everywhere between the arcs and helped launch deep inside 50 entries for the Devils forwards to thrive off. Williams made a couple of uncharacteristically sloppy errors in the way of kicking and handling, but overall read the play well and offered her usual drive before getting late run at the centre bounces.

#37 Tunisha Kikoak
Ruck | 180cm | 12/05/2005

Stats: 26 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 15 hitouts

Returning another monster stat line in the ruck, Kikoak imposed herself as any good over-ager should. She utilised her size to win the ruck duels and was not afraid to grab the ball out of the air and prise her own clearances. While a little clumsy at times, the 180cm talent clunked a couple of nice intercept marks to lock the ball into Tasmania’s forward half, ruling the airways all game.

GWV REBELS:

#1 Isabella Davies
Defender/Midfielder | 160cm | 29/10/2006

Stats: 29 disposals, 4 marks, 10 tackles, 5 inside 50s

Topping the disposal count for a second week running, Davies’ never say die attitude was admirable in a tough loss. The combative top-ager started in defence but spent most of the game in midfield, where she had very little trouble getting her hands on the ball by continuing to show up from contest to contest. In both roles, her ground level play and ability to swoop on the loose balls shone.

#4 Elise Cook
Midfielder | 170cm | 28/01/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

Cook has been a consistent figure for GWV across three games to date, and was again influential through midfield. She lifted in term three to kick the only goal of the quarter and contribute plenty of stoppage work, proving clean by hand and bringing others into the play while moving it forward. Finding a bit more power and speed to shake off tackles or burst away could elevate her game.

#15 Millie Lang
Midfielder/Defender | 177cm | 06/11/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s

Lang built steadily into Sunday’s game, shifting back from her starting spot in midfield. The Rebels’ skipper rushed a few of her early kicks but began to show greater composure, absorbing contact and patiently dishing the ball off. She got to showcase a bit of overlap run and her kick penetration – on both feet – to go with strong contested work both at stoppages and on the last line of defence.

#17 Claire Mahony
Key Forward | 181cm | 21/08/2006

Stats: 8 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 1 goal

The going has been tough for Mahony over the last fortnight in a scoring sense, though not for a want of trying. The key forward was again made to search high up the ground to impact with her aerial presence and mobility, helping the Rebels connect out of defensive 50. It was difficult to find any clean possession, but Mahony reeled in two strong marks and pounced on a Tasmanian mistake in the goalsquare to snap her lone major in the second quarter.