ANOTHER standalone Coates Talent League Girls game – though in conjunction with the Sandringham Dragons and Eastern Ranges’ boys game – the Ranges play host to Geelong Falcons at Trevor Barker Oval today from 12:30pm.

Sunday, June 30
Trevor Barker Oval | @ 12:30pm

FORM:

Since losing to the Brisbane Lions Academy, the Ranges have awoken from their slumber and last year’s grand finalists have completely destroyed their opponents. In the past month, Eastern has won by 58, 88, 90 and 75 points, taking control early and never looking like losing. Though three of those four wins have come teams outside the eight, the first was on the road against Tasmania, no mean feat.

Geelong Falcons on the other hand have beaten all bar reigning premiers Oakleigh Chargers, the Gold Coast Suns Academy and Dandenong Stingrays this season, bouncing back from a loss to the Chargers in Round 9 with a hard-fought win over cellar dwellers Murray Bushrangers. Prior to that, the Falcons had held Gippsland Power at bay in torrential rain, and easily accounted for GWV Rebels for the second time this season,

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Eastern Ranges:

Eastern does see its side severely depleted due to a lot of its stars dominating in Vic Metro’s huge win over the Allies. Georgie Brisbane (five goals) and Grace Belloni (four), as well as Stasia Stevenson were all among the best, as Georgia Knight, Molly Paterson and Josephine Bamford also played their roles.

However a huge inclusion is a player who would have played yesterday had she not spent significant time on the sidelines in Grace Baba. The athletic defender makes her return, and will be alongside a lost of bottom-age and double bottom-age future talents in Zoe Vozzo, Jordyn Allen, Brylee Anderson, Scout Semple, Lara Williams and Emily Rankin, however there is no Tayla McMillan named this week.

Geelong Falcons:

Without Vic Country duties, Mel Hickey’s side has been able to keep relatively stable and the Falcons have a huge chance to take out one of the contenders this season. AFLW Academy member Sara Howley will look to control the midfield, while her fellow onballers in Stella Huxtable, Chloe Bryant and Georgia Tyrrell can feast on the contested ball, and Lucy Marescuk and skipper Mekah Morrissy win plenty of it on the outside.

Given Eastern is minus Vic Metro ruck Bamford, that could give Geelong a massive advantage in the ruck with in-form over-ager Hayley Peck. High pressure forwards and Vic Country members Seisia White and Rebecca Clottey will also cause a few headaches.

PREDICTION

Normally Eastern would be the pick given the form the Ranges are in, but missing seven of your best players against a full strength side that is still a finals contender – and possible top four side – means that the favouritism just has to go to Geelong. The Falcons have had some lapses against lower ranked teams so cannot take the younger Ranges for granted given the talent still in the team, but this should be a game the Falcons really look to take advantage of extra extra experience.