FIVE games take place across Victoria and Tasmania in a huge Sunday of action after a quiet one-game fixture today. Both Queensland Academies travel to Victoria, while a couple of country teams face off in a metropolitan venue.

Sunday, May 19
Highgate Recreation Reserve @ 10:00am

FORM:

Calder Cannons are yet to get on the board, but they have been close the last few weeks just fading late in games. The Gold Coast Suns Academy remains unbeaten, having been the only team to knock off Oakleigh Chargers, and followed that up with victories over Dandenong Stingrays and Geelong Falcons.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Calder Cannons:

Minus their bottom-age stars in Chloe Baker-West and Jade McLay, the Cannons will look to the likes of Kyla Forbes and Maddison Albrecht to get their running game going. Taylah Gilcrist has found her fair share of the ball in defence, while Ava Gerada has been rock solid.

Suns Academy:

The Suns Academy’s trio of athletic ruck/forwards in Havana Harris, Georja Davies and Dekota Baron will pose a problem for the Cannons, while Tara Harrington returns after missing last week. The likes of Mia Salisbury and Heidi Talbot have shown some terrific form the the last fortnight.

PREDICTION

Gold Coast Suns Academy to be too strong here. The Suns have got stronger with the inclusion of Harrington, and the Cannons have lost some key players.

Sunday, May 19
Mars Stadium @ 12:00pm

FORM:

After knocking off the previously unbeaten Bendigo Pioneers for their first win of the season, the GWV Rebels were brought back to earth by Gippsland Power. They now take on Northern Knights for the second time this season, with the Knights continuing to find ways to win even when challenged.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

GWV Rebels:

The tall timber of Millie Lang and Claire Mahony provide an aerial presence that will stretch the Knights, while the run and tenacity of Isabella Davies and clean hands of Elise Cook are others to watch. Bottom-agers such as Maggie Johnstone and Jovie Skewes-Clinton can do plenty of damage as well.

Northern Knights:

Northern has been able to get the game on its terms from the midfield with Zoe Hargreaves on the inside, and skipper Holly Ridewood rolling both inside and outside. Isabella Caminiti has also been important in defence and will have another big job, while Kira Lemire kept her cool last week to kick the match-winning goal, and is a strong forward set to team up with the dynamic Phoebe Hargreaves.

PREDICTION

Northern won this encounter last time, and while being at Mars Stadium will help the Rebels, the form of the Knights cannot be denied, so the visitors should have the upper hand.

Sunday, May 19
Shepley Oval @ 12:30pm

FORM:

Dandenong Stingrays boast a positive 3-2 record this season with losses to arguably the two best sides in Oakleigh Chargers ad Gold Coast Suns Academy. A road win over Tasmania last round was the best of the Stingrays’ victories, and now they face a Lions Academy team with two wins on the bounce since a disappointing first outing against the Knights.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Dandenong Stingrays:

Midfielder Jemma Reynolds has shown how classy she can be around the ball, sharing the clearance work with first-season top-ager Kate Terri. Up forward Kayla Dalgleish is a crafty small who brings intensity around the ball, while Nikita Harris is tenacious. Ruck/forward Zoe Besanko skippers the side and provides great versatility.

Lions Academy:

Speaking of skippers, Lions’ co-skipper Isabella McDonough has been fantastic over the few weeks in the Coates Talent League, rotating between the wing and on-ball, kicking three majors last week. Zimra Hussain has looked dangerous inside 50, while defenders Laura Roy and Farrandai Hopkins have been crucial in rebounding the ball. Watch for Mia Geere to play a key role again.

PREDICTION

Dandenong Stingrays’ form speaks for itself, though this is a genuine lineball call. Since being thrashed by the Chargers, the Stingrays have looked as good as anyone and can get the job done, though the Lions have done no wrong either since their only loss, so expect a tight contest.

Sunday, May 19
La Trobe University @ 1:00pm

FORM:

Gippsland Power enter this game off wins against Western Jets and GWV Rebels to now be 3-2 for the season and looking like having their best season on record. They still have lapses, but their stars stand up in big moments and are hard to contain. The Falcons have looked a little off the last couple o weeks, but managed to get the job done against the Cannons thanks to some Sara Howley magic before being beaten by the Suns Academy.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Geelong Falcons:

Howley had a rare down game last week, but is not in this game, with bottom-agers Stella Huxtable and Georgia Tyrrell both in consistent form. Skipper Mekah Morrissy always provides 100 per cent effort, while ruck Hayley Peck had her hands full last week but had some nice moments.

Gippsland Power:

A lot of the Power’s play centres around Ash Centra with the star talent able to drag her team over the line on occasions, but she is also out of the match like Howley. She has support at the Power now with the likes of Jasmine Sowden, Ella Stoddart and Rebecca Fitzpatrick all standing up around the contest, and Abby Hobson one of a number of marking targets inside 50.

PREDICTION

On paper the Falcons perhaps have a bit more depth at the bottom-end, but the Power have a side that when it believes, can put up a winning score. Without their respective AFLW Academy members, it will be down to the next group of players to stand up.

Sunday, May 19
Twins Oval @ 2:00pm

FORM:

After winning their past three games, Tasmania Devils suffered their second defeat of the season at the hands of Dandenong Stingrays by a few goals. They still sit at a handy 3-2, but remain at home looking to push that win-loss ledger further to the good. The Eastern Ranges on paper have a stack of talent, but have been inconsistent this season, smashed by Oakleigh and losing to Brisbane last week, but yet came from four goals down to knock off Northern.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Tasmania Devils:

The Devils have unearthed some players this year with bottom-ager Mischa Barwin a name to remember for 205. The top-age power of Mackenzie Williams and Lucy Thompson is important, while Priya Bowering and Harriet Bingley have been important across the ground. Tasmania will be without key goalkicker Ava Read in this one though.

Eastern Ranges:

Eastern Ranges will regain captain Georgie Brisbane for this match to provide a target up forward alongside the dangerous Georgia Knight. The midfield class of Tayla McMillan and Jordyn Allen complements the bullocking work of Grace Belloni and outside pace of Evie Parker. Eastern will miss Grace Baba for this contest.

PREDICTION

A fascinating duel that is hard to predict. Being on the Apple Isle the Tasmanians have the upper hand so the Devils should be favourites, but the speed on the ball for the Ranges will have them winning plenty of clearances too. Expect another nail-biter.