A RETURN of the Sydney Swans Academy opens Round 8 of the Coates Talent League Girls, while one of Murray Bushrangers or Calder Cannons will register their first win when they face off in Wangaratta. Four games take place tomorrow for the competition and we preview each one.

Saturday, May 25
Belvedere Reserve | @ 11:00am

FORM:

Dandenong Stingrays have had some up and down form this season, but ultimately they have beaten the full-time teams bar Oakleigh so far, while losing to the Chargers and the Queensland Academies for a 3-3 record. Sydney Swans Academy have not played since losing by a point to Tasmania back on May 4, which marked the end of a 1-2 record through Rounds 3-5.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Dandenong Stingrays:

The Stingrays’ midfield has been in great form, with Jemma Reynolds and Kayla Dalgleish producing big most weeks, while Kate Terri and Nikita Harris provide additional defensive pressure around the ball. Skipper Zoe Besanko will test the Swans defence, while Marlee Black – daughter of former Stingrays player and coach Craig – makes her debut.

Swans Academy:

Swans fans will keep an eye on AFLW Academy member Emma Juneja off a wing, while in defence, Ella Parker takes the game on. Up forward, the duo of Lauren Bull and skipper Taylor Smith provide marking targets, while Ellie Veerhuis and Taya White have performed strongly up the other end.

PREDICTION

At home the Stingrays should be too strong, boasting some quality players both at top-age and bottom-age level. The Swans also have exciting prospects coming through, but it will be hard to know how they go after a week off from competition without AFL Sydney, and now making the trek back to Victoria.

Saturday, May 25
Wangaratta Showgrounds | @ 12:00pm

FORM:

The bottom two sides in the Coates Talent League Girls face off, which means at least one of them will get their first points of the season. Calder’s percentage of 30.2 is better than Murray’s 18.3, but both have had competitive outings, and also suffered blowout losses.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Murray Bushrangers:

Murray will welcome back talented double bottom-ager Majella Day into the side after she most recently kicked five goals against the Bushrangers will playin for the Giants Academy. She joins some talented underagers such as Rose Bell and Sophia Green, while top-agers Madison Ibrahim and Holly Egan have stepped up well. Another Giants Academy returning to the Bushies is midfielder Tamika Rourke who has spent a fair time forward for the orange team.

Calder Cannons:

The Cannons are still minus Chloe Baker-West and Jade McLay due to school football, with top-age duo Maddison Albrecht and Kyla Forbes showing the way last week against the Suns in a tough loss. Captain Ava Gerada and Stephanie Mitchell will always provide pressure to the opposition.

PREDICTION

A literal lineball call between the sides, but being in Wangaratta in front of a home vocal crowd, expect the Bushrangers to lift. It could go either way with some future prospects on both sides, so expect it to be the closest game both sides have played in thus far.

Saturday, May 25
Preston City Oval | @ 12:00pm

FORM:

Northern Knights suffered a shock loss to GWV Rebels last week, their first loss since going down to Eastern Ranges in Round 2. With the exception of an impressive seven-goal win over Brisbane Lions Academy in Round 4, all of Northern’s games have been decided by four goals or less, and the last two have been a kick or less. Tasmania Devils were well beaten by Eastern Ranges last week and have slipped a little the past fortnight, but looked good early in the season and have the potential to step back up.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Northern Knights:

Northern’s midfield will be looking to get on top against a bigger-bodied Devils outfit. Zoe Hargreaves will be alongside sister Phoebe and another bottom-ager Marlo Graham. Katelyn Busuttil has been consistent all season with finding the ball, while skipper Holly Ridewood covers the ground well and has impact in the front half.

Tasmania Devils:

The Devils has a strong inside group headlined by AFLW Academy member Mackenzie Williams and bottom-ager Priya Bowering who rotate around with fellow contested ball-winner Harriet Bingley, while captain Lucy Thompson lines up at full-forward with Ava Read returning to the side, and Mischa Barwin named at half-forward.

PREDICTION

Both sides have had their moments this season and are coming off losses. Once again the home team in Northern Knights should have the upper hand, though funnily enough the Devils are unbeaten from two games when on the road this season.

Saturday, May 25
Reid Oval | @ 4:00pm

FORM:

This clash is a repeat of the season opener that took place under lights at GMHBA Stadium on March 28. Almost two months later since the Falcons got up by 26 points, Geelong added two wins and two losses to its record, while the Rebels have played an extra game, with two wins and three losses.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

GWV Rebels:

The Rebels have found some consistency through the midfield with Isabella Davies and Elise Cook performing strongly, while the inclusion of Millie Lang has provided a bigger body inside. Ruby Thomas has been building nicely into the season, while Maggie Johnstone is one to remember for next year.

Geelong Falcons:

Geelong showed it could win in a wet scrap last week, and will head to the south west hoping to add another win to the tally, this time with AFLW Academy member Sara Howley. The Falcons midfielder missed last week, and in her absence skipper Mekah Morrissy stepped up to the plate, collecting 40 disposals. Stella Huxtable continues to be strong on the inside, while Seisia White and Hayley Peck provide terrific pressure around the ground.

PREDICTION

Geelong Falcons should get the job done again after being in control for the most part in Round 1. However the Rebels did have moments of ascendancy at times, and the Falcons have occasionally had lapses within games this season, so expect a pretty tight contest, particularly if it ends up wet.