A QUICK turnaround between the finish of Round 8 and start of Round 9 sees a standalone Coates Talent League Girls Saturday match take place in Ballarat between two country sides, GWV Rebels and Dandenong Stingrays.

Saturday, June 1
Mars Stadium | @ 2:00pm

FORM:

GWV Rebels have been a little up and down of late, suffering their second defeat to Geelong Falcons last weekend, but had played some good footy prior to that with wins over Northern Knights and Bendigo Pioneers. Dandenong Stingrays have won everything outside the top two sides of Oakleigh Chargers and Gold Coast Suns Academy, seeing off the challenge of Sydney Swans Academy last week.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

GWV Rebels:

Key forward Claire Mahony returns to the Rebels’ lineup, though the home side does lose key interceptor Millie Lang who has been in great form this season. The midfield duo of Elise Cook and Isabella Davies will provide defensive pressure to the Stingrays’ on-ball stars, while Elsie Conroy will have a huge day in defence.

Dandenong Stingrays:

Stingrays duo Jemma Reynolds and Kayla Dalgleish have been in ripping form and will look to continue that in this game, while Tahlia Sanger and second-gamer Lillian Snow can also build on their last match. Skipper Zoe Besanko could have a big game without Lang in defence to pick off inside 50s.

PREDICTION

Dandenong Stingrays should be too strong for the Rebels, especially without Lang in defence. The visitors have shown they are up there with the best sides, and have a lot of depth across the field, and plenty of fresh faces making an impact. The conditions at Mars Stadium are usually challenging and should favour the home team, but the Stingrays will be up for the challenge.