ALL SEVEN Coates Talent League Girls winning teams on the weekend recorded multiple representatives in our Round 5 Team of the Week, an even contribution across the board. Of the 24 players, the victors shared in 17 of the 24 players, with two losing sides also featuring two players in this week’s side.

It was a dominant display by midfielders kicking some important goals, and the duo of Sara Howley and Ash Centra booted seven majors between them to steer comebacks for their respective sides and get the win. Howley had 32 disposals and kicked three goals – along with nine marks and eight tackles – to be this week’s captain, while Centra, who had 30 touches and kicked four majors, was named vice-captain.

Howley was one of two Falcons in the side, with fellow Vic Country hub member Seisia White making it onto the interchange after an impactful performance against the Calder Cannons. Also on the bench is one of two other Power players in making forward Abby Hobson. At half-back is defender Ella Stoddart who went forward late in the game and kicked two defining goals.

GWV Rebels earned their first win on the weekend and picked up three players in this week’s team, with bookends, Millie Lang (centre half-back) and Claire Mahony (full-forward) taking up their spots, while midfielder Elise Cook was named on the interchange.

Gold Coast Suns Academy also had another three representatives with players returning from last week. This time Havana Harris moves from the ruck rover spot to the ruck role, while Dekota Baron booted four goals and had 19 hitouts to also be the second ruck in the team when not forward. Meanwhile forward-turned-defender Heidi Talbot was named at half-back.

From the other Academy sides, fellow winners Brisbane Lions and GWS Giants also had two representatives. The Lions Academy duo of Mia Geere (wing) and Laura Roy (interchange) earned their places on the team, while Giants forward Majella Day (five goals) and mid-forward Isla Wiencke (23 disposals, two goals) both found their way inside 50.

Tasmania Devils were the other winners on the weekend, with midfielder Priya Bowering named in the centre and Mackenzie Williams in the back pocket. The sole Swans Academy member Taya White slotted into full-back.

Bendigo Pioneers were one of two losing sides to pick up two representatives after going down to GWV Rebels in a hard-fought performance. Jemmika Douglas was pushed onto a wing given the strength of the midfield and defence, while co-captain Lexi Gregor slotted onto the bench. Murray Bushrangers were the other with Holly Egan (back pocket) and Sophia Green (interchange) both making it in.

Rounding out the squad of 24 are two midfielders as their only club’s representatives in Eastern Ranges’ Tayla McMillan and Western Jets’ Sierra Grieves. As for the additional three emergencies, Suns Academy Tara Harrington, Geelong Falcons’ Stella Huxtable and Lions Academy’s Isabella McDonough were named as the next best.

2024 TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 5

B: Holly Egan (Murray Bushrangers) – Taya White (Swans Academy) – Mackenzie Williams (Tasmania Devils)
HB: Ella Stoddart (Gippsland Power) – Millie Lang (GWV Rebels) – Heidi Talbot (Suns Academy)
C: Mia Geere (Lions Academy) – Priya Bowering (Tasmania Devils) – Jemmika Douglas (Bendigo Pioneers)
HF: Isla Wienke (Giants Academy) – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power) (vc) – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons) (c)
F: Majella Day (Giants Academy) – Claire Mahony (GWV Rebels) – Dekota Baron (Suns Academy)
R: Havana Harris (Suns Academy) – Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges) – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
INT: Elise Cook (GWV Rebels) – Sophia Green (Murray Bushrangers) – Lexi Gregor (Bendigo Pioneers) – Abby Hobson (Gippsland Power) – Laura Roy (Lions Academy) – Seisia White (Geelong Falcons)

EMG: Tara Harrington (Suns Academy) – Stella Huxtable (Geelong Falcons) – Isabella McDonough (Lions Academy)