AFTER a league-wide bye for Victorian trials at the AFLW Academy-Under 21 All-Stars match, the Coates Talent League Girls returned to normal programming with five matches taking place across Round 10.

Calder Cannons 5.10 (40) lost to Western Jets 7.3 (45)

Western Jets produced yet another big comeback to secure their second victory of the season, defeating Calder Cannons by five points. Accuracy proved key in the contest, with Western trailing 28-0 at quarter time, before only conceding 1.6 (12) after that, booting 7.3 (45) in the last three quarters, including four goals in the final term to snatch the win.

STANDOUT: Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)

In a real even performance from both sides, Grieves got the nod as she was crucial in the Jets’ comeback with her work out of the middle, and then kicked the winning goal with a classy snap. Grieves had lower numbers than normal with just 19 touches – her lowest of the season – but she spent significant time forward and it paid dividends with that last clutch snap.

OTHERS:

Grieves had plenty of contributors with the likes of Hannah Brodie and Olivia Castello busy through midfield with 20-plus touches and being crucial extractors, while Alex McBride-Loane provided rebound and pushed up the ground, kicking a crucial last quarter goal as well. For the Cannons, Maddison Albrecht tried hard all day, while Kyla Forbes and Jade McLay had moments at different stages.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
4 – Maddison Albrecht (Calder Cannons)
3 – Hannah Brodie (Western Jets)
2 – Alex McBride-Loane (Western Jets)
1 – Kyla Forbes (Calder Cannons)

Northern Knights 5.8 (38) lost to Oakleigh Chargers 7.8 (50)

Despite trailing by 10 points at quarter time, Oakleigh managed to maintain its unbeaten season against full-time teams with a 12-point victory over a plucky Northern Knights outfit. The Chargers kicked away to a six-point lead by the main break, then kept the Knights at arms-length after that during the match.

STANDOUT: Abbey Vicino (Oakleigh Chargers)

The inside midfielder found herself spending time forward and had a purple patch from the last minute of the second term through to the final few minutes of the third term kicking three goals in a 20-minute span. Vicino also had 18 disposals and was efficient with ball-in-hand, working hard all over the ground.

OTHERS:

The Oakleigh midfield was strong throughout the game with Maggie Mahony (31 disposals) and Sarah Poustie (28) both picking up big numbers in the game. Skipper Sienna Tallariti worked hard under pressure, while up forward, Emma McDonald and Bailee Martin were lively. For the Knights, Kira Lemire had an eye-catching game clunking several strong marks and converting three goals for the losing side, while Marlo Graham, Zoe Hargreaves and Tahlia Plunkett were all among the better Knights.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Abbey Vicino (Oakleigh Chargers)
4 – Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers)
3 – Kira Lemire (Northern Knights)
2 – Emma McDonald (Oakleigh Chargers)
1 – Marlo Graham (Northern Knights)

Eastern Ranges 14.14 (98) defeated Sandringham Dragons 1.2 (8)

In a one-sided match, Eastern Ranges forgot their kicking boots in the opening term, before completely taking away the match from the Dragons in a dominant 15-goal victory. The Ranges kicked 7.2 in an eye-opening second quarter and added six more after half-time to control play and have a whopping 35 more inside 50s (52-17) and 101 more disposals (296-195) in the 90-point win.

STANDOUT: Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges)

With each that goes by, McMillan firms as the likely top Victorian prospect for next year with another dazzling display against the Dragons. She was everywhere, racking up 33 disposals and laying nine tackles, using her clean hands and decision making to maximise damage and set up here teammates flowing forward of centre.

OTHERS:

There were no shortage of winners all over the park for the Ranges, with Under 16s young gun Emily Rankin kicking two goals from 20 disposals in her best performance since making her debut in Round 7. Midfielders Grace Belloni (25 disposals, two goals), Jordyn Allen and Stasia Stevenson, winger Evie Parker and forward Georgia Knight (four goals) all had big days out. Sandringham had a couple who tried hard all day in Scout Howden and Daisy Flockart but they ultimately fought an uphill battle.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges)
4 – Emily Rankin (Eastern Ranges)
3 – Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Georgia Knight (Eastern Ranges)
1 – Jordyn Allen (Eastern Ranges)

Tasmania Devils 7.4 (46) defeated Murray Bushrangers 3.8 (26)

Tasmania Devils made the most of a straight kicking display across the first three quarters, and strong defensive effort after quarter time to come from behind and win by 20 points over the Bushrangers at Highgate Recreation Reserve. Murray lead by seven points at quarter time by the Devils kicked 5.0 before a behind, and finished with 6.4 to 1.7 after quarter time.

STANDOUT: Priya Bowering (Tasmania Devils)

The tough inside midfielder had herself a day out at Craigieburn, amassing a career-high in the Talent League with 32 disposals to earn our Player of the Week. She also had 14 inside 50s – eight more than anyone else on the field, and was ultra-impressive when the Devils needed someone to stand up.

OTHERS:

Alongside Bowering, Mackenzie Williams produced a strong performance, recording 24 disposals, six marks, four inside 50s, four rebound 50s and laying 10 tackles. She was well supported by the likes of Harriet Bingley (14 disposals, five marks and two goals) and Meg Harrison (20 disposals).

The Bushrangers had a number of standouts too with Ellie Hall making a jaw-dropping return to Talent League for the first time since 2022 with 31 disposals, seven marks, nine tackles, five inside 50s and three rebound 50s, while Rose Bell and Sophia Green continued their form as highly talented Under 16s prospects.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Priya Bowering (Tasmania Devils)
4 – Ellie Hall (Murray Bushrangers)
3 – Mackenzie Williams (Tasmania Devils)
2 – Rose Bell (Murray Bushrangers)
1 – Sophia Green (Murray Bushrangers)

GWV Rebels 5.3 (33) defeated Bendigo Pioneers 2.6 (18)

GWV Rebels made it two from two against their rivals Bendigo Pioneers this season, bouncing away to a 15-point win at Windy Hill. The Rebels lead at each break and opened up to a 22-point lead at the last change before the Pioneers kicked the final goal of the game to reduced the deficit back to the 15 points in a tight, low-scoring contest.

STANDOUT: Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)

The standout top-ager was again at her brutal best, racking up a game-high 33 disposals, while laying 10 tackles and kicking 1.2 for the Pioneers. Despite playing in a loss, Painter helped herself to nine inside 50s and three rebound 50s and was hard to stop across the field.

OTHERS:

For the winning GWV Rebels, the usual suspects were at the top of the list as defender Millie Lang had nine rebound 50s to go with 28 touches and four marks, and fellow tall Claire Mahony continued her move further afield with 13 touches and winning it in each third of the ground. Ruby Thomas (two goals) was the spark up forward, while Isabella Davies and Elsie Conroy were also impressive. Along with Painter, Lavinia Cox (25 disposals, seven tackles and seven inside 50s) was busy, while Jemmika Douglas tried hard all match.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)
4 – Millie Lang (GWV Rebels)
3 – Claire Mahony (GWV Rebels)
2 – Lavinia Cox (Bendigo Pioneers)
1 – Ruby Thomas (GWV Rebels)