A HALF dozen makes for a massive Sunday of action, with games in both Queensland and Victoria as the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns Academies continue their stints in the 2024 Coates Talent League Girls competition.

Sunday, May 12
Austworld Centre Oval @ 10:30am

FORM:

The Gold Coast Suns Academy is playing its third game of the Coates Talent League Girls competition, having notched up wins over Oakleigh Chargers and Dandenong Stingrays. Geelong Falcons came from behind to defeat Calder Cannons to make their season record 2-1, having had two byes in the first five rounds.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Suns Academy:

Gold Coast Suns Academy have stars across the board with key position trio Havana Harris, Georja Davies and Dekota Baron all sharing the ruck load and causing plenty of headaches for the opposition. Heidi Talbot had a breakout game off half-back, while Mia Salisbury will be key in the middle in the absence of Tara Harrington.

Geelong Falcons:

Star midfielder Sara Howley was on-song last week with three goals from 32 disposals, while winger Lucy Marescuk and midfielder/forward Seisia White both stood out. It will be a big week for ruck Hayley Peck up against the trio of Suns Academy rucks, while father-daughter eligible Meg Lappin returns to the state where her dad Nigel made his name. The Falcons also regain skipper Mekah Morrissy for the match.

PREDICTION

The unbeaten Suns Academy look too strong across the board and in Queensland have the upper hand. Geelong will need to be at its best to win, though should put up a fight throughout the game.

Sunday, May 12
Queen Elizabeth Oval @ 11:00am

FORM:

Bendigo Pioneers suffered their first defeat of the season last week after going down to GWV Rebels while missing a number of key players, as they look to bounce back against a Northern Knights side that had the bye last week but is 3-1 for the season and on top of the ladder.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Bendigo Pioneers:

Bendigo will be pleased to see the return of Lucia Painter and Gabrielle Drage for the match, with the pair to provide more power and skill through the middle going forward. Jemmika Douglas was all class last week, while Lexi Gregor provided a marking target for the home side. Both will be key again, while pocket rocket Issy Boulton is creative in the front half of the ground.

Northern Knights:

After a trio of Knights got to step up to VFLW last week for Carlton during Northern’s bye, the pair of Zoe Hargreaves and skipper Holly Ridewood return to the level. Bottom-agers Scarlett Johnson and Phoebe Hargreaves can do some damage inside 50, while Northern will be minus classy small Marlo Graham for the clash.

PREDICTION

Bendigo Pioneers are yet to lose at home this season and will enjoy being back at Queen Elizabeth Oval. Northern is yet to play a bad game though and hard to tip against them. Expect it to be a thriller right to the end with not much separating the sides.

Sunday, May 12
Brighton Homes Arena @ 1:00pm

FORM:

Brisbane Lions Academy bounced back from a first-up loss to the Knights to defeat Eastern Ranges last week in an impressive victory on the road. The Lions return home to face the winless Calder Cannons who looked good against the Falcons for the most part, but faded in the end.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Lions Academy:

Returning home, the Lions Academy will have the likes of co-skipper Lilu Hung, Under 16s talent Harlee McIlwain and fellow tall Chloe Gaunt look to stretch the Cannons’ defence. Sophie Schulze impressed up forward last week, while double bottom-age duo of Mia Geere and Molly Ferguson, as well as top-age co-captain Isabella McDonough will provide drive inside 50.

Calder Cannons:

in what will be the Cannons’ strongest team yet, they regain bottom-ager Chloe Baker-West to team up alongside Jade McLay for the match. They also have left-footed utility Kyla Forbes and tenacious small Maddison Albrecht, marking the first time this season the four have all played in the one team. Shauna McElligott is another exciting bottom-ager to watch.

PREDICTION

Calder improved on its efforts last week, but the Lions Academy were red hot in Box Hill and returning back to Queensland, one would expect them to go on with it here. The Cannons need to capitalise on the opportunities they get, but expect the home side to take home the chocolates.

Sunday, May 12
La Trobe University @ 1:30pm

FORM:

After breaking through for their first win of the season last week – against the unbeaten Pioneers no less – the Rebels are searching for back-to-back victories in the competition. They face a Gippsland Power side that came home with a wet sail to win against Western Jets in Round 5, having now evened their ledger at 2-2 for the year.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

GWV Rebels:

Getting the monkey off the back for the first win last week would have been relieving for the Rebels, with talls Millie Lang and Claire Mahony (four goals) impressing up respective ends. Through the midfield, Elise Cook worked hard, while sharing the load with both Lang and Isabella Davies, while Scarlett O’Donnell had some eye-catcing moments.

Gippsland Power:

The cream rose to the top last week, with Vic Country MVPs Ash Centra and Ella Stoddart combining for all six of the Power’s goals. Stoddart moved up to a wing and played some aggressive football, while Centra finished with a ridiculous 30 disposals and four goals. Abby Hobson marked anything in her vicinity, while Jasmine Sowden looms as a key talent against the Rebels.

PREDICTION

Both teams have some serious top-eng talent, and it will come down to the depth and experience of the squad. Gippsland’s side has been playing together for longer and has looked the stronger side thus far in season 2024.

Sunday, May 12
Deakin Reserve @ 2:00pm

FORM:

Two teams at opposite ends of the ladder, Oakleigh Chargers are refreshed off a bye having lost to the Suns Academy the week before after four straight wins. They are still percentage off top spot, and take on a Murray Bushrangers outfit that has been competitive at times, but ultimately started the season with three straight losses.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Murray Bushrangers:

It was great to see Holly Egan back at full flight last week rotating between defence nad midfield, creating plenty of run. Expect her to to do the same, while Madison Ibrahim and Sophia Green have both been outstanding for the Bushies. Forward Nikhita Spiteri is another who can create plenty of scoring chances inside 50.

Oakleigh Chargers:

Oakleigh has gone full strength for its trip to Shepparton, with defender-turned-wing Charlotte Brewer returning after her impressive VFLW game with Casey Demons. Chargers’ skipper Sienna Tallariti and key forward Emma McDonald are both key players up respective ends while Amelie Gladman has shown the capacity to kick a big bag of goals when the ball hits the deck. Maggie Mahony and Sarah Poustie are prime movers through the midfield.

PREDICTION

Reigning premiers Oakleigh are raging favourites for this one, with more experience and a stack of Vic Metro representatives. The Bushrangers have some talented young players, but the key will be to try and keep the Chargers’ scoring down as Oakleigh has the potential to kick huge totals if given the chance.

Sunday, May 12
Avalon Airport Oval @ 2:00pm

FORM:

Wrapping up the weekend sees the winless Western Jets – who were so close to knocking of the Power last week – taking on the evenly balanced Sandringham Dragons. The Dragons also suffered defeat in their last match, at the hands of GWS Giants Academy, as they moved to 2-2 for the season, before a bye in Round 5.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Western Jets:

Midfielder Sierra Grieves was a standout in the defeat to Gippsland Power last week, and continued her incredible form she has shown over the last few seasons. She will enjoy having partner-in-crime and skipper Lou-Lou Field back in to settle the defence. Alex McBride-Loane will have a big job in defence, while Olivia Castello has been consistent all year.

Sandringham Dragons:

The Dragons have that class midfield which includes Sophie McKay, Daisy Flockart and on the outside, Scout Howden. That engine room helps give the likes of Mia Zielinski and Tiger Doultree chances inside 50, while Lucia Turnbull has also had her moments through games.

PREDICTION

In a funny fixture quirk, these two sides have already faced off once this season back in Round 2. Almost a month to the day later since Sandringham Dragons defeated Western Jets by 16 points, it is anticipated a similar result will occur with the Dragons a touch ahead of the Jets, but it should be a tight game.