AFTER a Thursday standalone match last night completed Round 8 of the Coates Talent League Girls competition, we take a look back at the seven games that took place across the round ahead of the quick turnaround for this weekend.

Dandenong Stingrays 7.6 (48) defeated Sydney Swans Academy 5.4 (34)

It took until the final term, but Dandenong Stingrays eventually shook off a determined Swans Academy to win by 14 points at Belvedere Reserve. The Stingrays only led by a point at the last change – having trailed at the first two breaks – but kicked three of the last four goals to secure the victory.

STANDOUT: Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)

Our Player of the Week, Reynolds was a standout for her work around the clearances and really caught the eye all over the ground, usually extracting it and getting it forward to put pressure on the opposition defence. She finished with 31 disposals and numerous clearances while bringing her teammates into the game.

OTHERS:

Along with Reynolds, her partner-in-crime Kayla Dalgleish was superb kicking two goals from 25 touches, while debutant Lillian Snow also stepped straight into midfield action. Nikita Harris and Tahlia Sanger were also among the more productive Stingrays on the day. For the Swans Academy, Imogen Brown and Taya White stood out, while Ella Parker and Lily Race also impressed.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)
4 – Kayla Dalgleish (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – Lillian Snow (Dandenong Stingrays)
2 – Imogen Brown (Swans Academy)
1 – Taya White (Swans Academy)

Murray Bushrangers 4.5 (29) lost to Calder Cannons 5.9 (39)

With both sides yet to pick up a win this season, it was a fast-finishing Calder Cannons outfit that got the chocolates against Murray Bushrangers on the road. The Bushrangers looked in control midway through the third term, but a couple of costly turnovers inside defensive 50 resulted in two Cannons goals and it swung the momentum towards Calder and the visitors ran out 10-point victors.

STANDOUT: Madison Ibrahim (Murray Bushrangers)

It was an even spread across the boar, but one of those funny games where the better players were on the losing side. Ibrahim provided dash out of defence and through midfield, working hard to keep her side on top, and she was one of the few four-quarter performers.

OTHERS:

Though it might look strange to see a losing side receive four of the five votes, the top-end individual efforts were largely on the Bushrangers side, while Calder have an even contribution across the board. Future stars Sophia Green and Rose Bell impressed once again, while defender Holly Egan was among the best players as well. For the Cannons, Camryn Bux, Grace Azzopardi and Ava Gerada consistently impacted the contest.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Madison Ibrahim (Murray Bushrangers)
4 – Sophia Green (Murray Bushrangers)
3 – Holly Egan (Murray Bushrangers)
2 – Camryn Bux (Calder Cannons)
1 – Rose Bell (Murray Bushrangers)

Northern Knights 6.6 (42) lost to Tasmania Devils 7.7 (49)

Tasmania Devils survived a late comeback from Northern Knights to hold on for a road win by seven points. After a couple of losses, the girls from the Apple Isle controlled play for the most part, and while the Knights fought until the end, fell short of completing a comeback.

STANDOUT: Mischa Barwin (Tasmania Devils)

The bottom-age young gun simply starred when the ball came in her vicinity, showing her class going inside 50 and finishing with a couple of goals from 16 disposals. While others had more touches, she looked a class above with her finishing and creativity in the front half of the ground, also recording six inside 50s.

OTHERS:

Alongside Barwin, usual suspects in Priya Bowering and Mackenzie Williams found plenty of the ball, while Harriet Bingley kicked two goals in the win. For the Knights, Phoebe Hargreaves racked up 31 disposals ad kicked a goal as sister Zoe Hargreaves managed 25 and two. Marlo Graham, Holly Ridewood and Scarlett Johnson were all outstanding despite the narrow loss.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Mischa Barwin (Tasmania Devils)
4 – Phoebe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
3 – Scarlett Johnson (Northern Knights)
2 – Priya Bowering (Tasmania Devils)
1 – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)

GWV Rebels 5.4 (34) lost to Geelong Falcons 11.10 (76)

Geelong Falcons were too strong for GWV Rebels down in Warrnambool, recording a seven-goal victory at Reid Oval. The Falcons kicked away after a tight first half to boot eight goals to three in the second half for a 42-point win.

STANDOUT: Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)

Howley was at her brutal best, winning a stack of the ball (36 disposals), while kicking a nice goal to go with three marks, seven tackles and six inside 50s. She was highly efficient with ball-in-hand and looked arguably her most effective game for the season.

OTHERS:

Playing inside even with Howley back in the team, captain Mekah Morrissy racked up 24 disposals and laid 13 tackles to star once again. She along with midfielders, Georgia Tyrrell and Stella Huxtable, ruck Hayley Peck, and Vic Country MVP and debutant Ava Bilyk were all outstanding. The usual suspects of Isabella Davies, Elise Cook and Millie Lang were among the better players for the Rebels.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)
4 – Mekah Morrissy (Geelong Falcons)
3 – Hayley Peck (Geelong Falcons)
2 – Isabella Davies (GWV Rebels)
1 – Ava Bilyk (Geelong Falcons)

Gippsland Power 12.9 (81) defeated Sandringham Dragons 2.5 (17)

Putting in one of their best performances in club history, Gippsland Power dismantled Sandringham Dragons at Morwell to storm to a 64-point victory. The Power raced out to a 47-0 lead, and finished off just as strongly, kicking five goals to one in the second half.

STANDOUT: Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)

There was no surprise to see the star of the show in Gippsland’s win, with Centra having another day out. She racked up 29 disposals, eight marks, five tackles, four inside 50s and kicked 2.3 for the match in a best on ground performance.

OTHERS:

Centra’s midfield partner in Jasmine Sowden also kicked two goals, while Under 16s talent Lily Milner provided plenty of defensive pressure in the forward half of the ground. Abby Hobson (three goals) and skipper Zali Gallagher were also among the best. For the Dragons, Judie Goldman found plenty of the ball, while Scout Howden tried had all game.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
4 – Jasmine Sowden (Gippsland Power)
3 – Lily Milner (Gippsland Power)
2 – Abby Hobson (Gippsland Power)
1 – Zali Gallagher (Gippsland Power)

Bendigo Pioneers 2.2 (14) lost to Eastern Ranges 15.12 (102)

Eastern Ranges put Bendigo Pioneers to the sword up at Queen Elizabeth Oval, running away with a massive 88-point victory. The Ranges kept the Pioneers to just two behinds in the first half while having 19 scoring shots themselves, eventually topping the century in the huge win.

STANDOUT: Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges)

Belloni was one of a number of standout Ranges in a real even effort across the board from the side. he amassed a game-high 24 disposals, as well as five marks, two tackles, eight inside 50s and kicked a brilliant running goal in a standout performance.

OTHERS:

Fellow ball-winners Stasia Stevenson and Tayla McMillan both had big impacts on the game, while debutant Scout Semple kicked three goals from 16 touches. Captain Georgie Brisbane played her best game of the year clunking seven marks and kicking two majors, while Jordyn Allen and Brylee Anderson were also impressive. For the Pioneers, Lucia Painter nd Jemmika Douglas were the two clear standouts.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges)
4 – Georgie Brisbane (Eastern Ranges)
3 – Stasia Stevenson (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges)
1 – Scout Semple (Eastern Ranges)

Western Jets 5.8 (38) defeated Northern Territory Academy 3.0 (18)

In arguably the worst possible conditions, Western Jets got on the board in the 2024 Coates Talent League Girls season with a 20-point win over Northern Territory Academy at Craigieburn. With the ground turned into a waterpark as torrential rain impacted the match, it was the Jets who kicked away in the final term as a debutant kicked three consecutive goals to win her side the game.

STANDOUT: Kiara Boyd (Western Jets)

While she will not have the most touches or four-quarter impact, Boyd was responsible for the Jets picking up the four points. With the game on the line. the Under 16s talent slotted three consecutive goals – all from difficult ranges – to take her side from level to a three-goal lead and seal the win in wet conditions.

OTHERS:

It was no surprise to see Sierra Grieves finding the ball at will, while tall Alex McBride-Loane stood up despite the trying conditions. Olivia Castello and Hannah Brodie both found plenty of the ball in the pouring rain. For the losers, over-ager Kierra Zerafa played some great wet weather football with her booming left boot, while the likes of Tatyana Perry, Emma Stark and Marika Carlton showed clean hands.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Kiara Boyd (Western Jets)
4 – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
3 – Alex McBride-Loane (Western Jets)
2 – Kierra Zerafa (Northern Territory)
1 – Tatyana Perry (Northern Territory)