ROUND 8 of the Coates Talent League Girls competition rolls on with two more matches on Sunday. A couple of mid-table sides in Gippsland Power and Sandringham Dragons face off in Morwell, while Eastern Ranges make the trek north to take on Bendigo Pioneers at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Sunday, May 26
Morwell Football Ground | @ 11:00am

FORM:

Both these sides have shown glimpses throughout the 2024 season with some ups and downs thus far. Gippsland Power went down in the wet to Geelong Falcons last week, but have managed to notch up three wins in six games and sit seventh overall. Sandringham Dragons are coming of a bye in Round 7, but did produce a five-goal victory over Western Jets before that, with three wins from five matches.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Gippsland Power:

Gippsland welcomes back pick one contender and star utility Ash Centra for the match, with the talent joining Jasmine Sowden and Rebecca Fitzpatrick in the midfield who have been playing well. Ella Stoddart has shown her versatility in recent weeks by hitting the scoreboard, while Abby Hobson and Zali Gallagher are other keys to the Power’s success.

Sandringham Dragons:

No doubt many would love to see Dragons’ star Sophie McKay up against Centra in the middle, with McKay winning plenty of the footy herself via her explosiveness from stoppages. Daisy Flockart and Scout Howden provide plenty of run and carry through the middle, while Tiger Doultree and Lucia Turnbull are damaging in the front half.

PREDICTION

It looms as a really tight contest between the sides, with Gippsland Power back on their home deck. It comes down to the midfield with the Dragons capable to transitioning it well, but the Power having some strong marking forwards and great depth in midfield.

Sunday, May 26
Queen Elizabeth Oval | @ 1:30pm

FORM:

Bendigo Pioneers started the season on fire, winning the first three games, before dropping tight ones to GWV Rebels and Northern Knights in the past fortnight. Coming off a bye last round, the Pioneers return home to Bendigo to face a strong Eastern Ranges outfit. The Ranges are bringing in their top-end Under 16s talent, and had their most impressive win of the year last week with a 58-point smashing of Tasmania down on the Apple Isle.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Bendigo Pioneers:

The Pioneers have found a nice core of midfielders who can help steer their side to victory, headlined by AFLW Academy member Lou Painter. She and the classy Jemmika Douglas are so strong and reliable with ball-in-hand, it has helped Bendigo notch up the wins already. Ella Jeffrey has provided a hard edge on the inside, while Sienna Hobbs and co-captain Lexi Gregor are tall targets inside 50.

Eastern Ranges:

The on-ball group from the Ranges in Tayla McMillan, Grace Belloni and Molly Paterson with Jordyn Allen and Stasia Stevenson rolling in has plenty of depth to it. Forward Georgia Knight, winger Evie Parker and bottom-age ruck Josephine Bamford are all in good form with skipper Georgie Brisbane returning last week. Watch for Scout Semple making her debut as another talented Under 16s prospect.

PREDICTION

Eastern Ranges has incredible depth across the field, but have had lapses throughout the season. With the inclusion of the top Under 16s talent along with midfield depth for days, it is hard to see them losing too many matches. At home the Pioneers should take it up to them, but expect the visitors to come away with the points.