ONE game might have been called off due to flight cancellations, but Round 13 still saw five games take place across the Coates Talent League Girls. We recap how each match went down in what was ultimately challenging conditions across the board.

Calder Cannons 0.1 (1) lost to Eastern Ranges 10.9 (69)

In wet conditions, Eastern Ranges finished strong against Calder Cannons to blow away the home side by 68 points. Leading by 37 at the final break, the Ranges booted 5.1 to 0.0 in the last term, keeping the Cannons scoreless after quarter time.

STANDOUT: Jordyn Allen (Eastern Ranges)

In an even performance across the board, Allen provided some terrific run and carry between the arcs, able to get the ball inside 50 consistently and look to release teammates in space. She finished with 26 disposals, two tackles and five inside 50s and was consistently among the better players on the ground.

OTHERS:

Allen was one of a number of Ranges who featured prominently in the votes with top-age running talents Stasia Stevenson (20 disposals, 11 tackles and four inside 50s) and Evie Parker (24 disposals, six marks and two goals) both crucial in their own ways. Isla Baldwin had a match-high 30 touches, while Grace Belloni and Brylee Anderson also had their moments. In a tough day for the Cannons, Maddison Albrecht never stopped trying, while Jade McLay and Grace Azzopardi were also big ball-winners.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Jordyn Allen (Eastern Ranges)
4 – Stasia Stevenson (Eastern Ranges)
3 – Evie Parker (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Maddison Albrecht (Calder Cannons)
1 – Isla Baldwin (Eastern Ranges)

Gippsland Power 6.5 (41) defeated Bendigo Pioneers 2.5 (17)

In what was sometimes torrential rain, Gippsland Power managed to separate themselves from Bendigo Pioneers in the second half to secure a four-goal win at Craigieburn. The scores were level at half-time, but Gippsland found the key to victory in the second half, kicking 4.2 to 0.2 to come away with the hard-fought win.

STANDOUT: Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)

The star midfielder showed her class in the wet and was a clear best on ground. She rotated between midfield and attack, and collected 30 disposals, two marks, three tackles and five inside 50s, while also kicking a couple of behinds. So clean at ground level and still showing off her elite skills and vision, Centra was brilliant once again.

OTHERS:

The rest of the field was fairly even with double bottom-ager Lily Milner stepping up to have 22 disposals, six marks, four tackles, three inside 50s and two rebound 50s in an eye-catching effort, while Grace Dillow and Chelsea Sutton also contributed strongly. Ella Stoddart started forward and kicked two goals, while Rebecca Fitzpatrick also battled on fiercely. Bendigo Pioneers co-captain Lexi Gregor and fellow Vic Country member Jemmika Douglas were among the best for the Pioneers.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
4 – Lily Milner (Gippsland Power)
3 – Lexi Gregor (Bendigo Pioneers)
2 – Ella Stoddart (Gippsland Power)
1 – Jemmika Douglas (Bendigo Pioneers)

Murray Bushrangers 2.5 (17) lost to Northern Knights 5.10 (40)

Northern Knights proved too strong for Murray Bushrangers on their road trip to Wangaratta, heading home with the four points in the bank after a 23-point victory. The scores were tight early and even within the Bushrangers’ reach at the final break, but the volume of forward 50 entries ultimately was the difference during the impressive win.

STANDOUT: Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)

In an even game across the board, Hargreaves had a consistent performance largely through the midfield but resting forward, collecting 22 disposals, three marks, seven tackles and six inside 50s in a strong attacking game. She held her ground well and kept bobbing up when her side needed her.

OTHERS:

The Knights shared the load around with Olivia Jesser booting three goals from 15 disposals, skipper Holly Ridewood working hard on the outside, and the likes of Marlo Graham and Maddison Meagher providing some quality dare. Murray had a clear three standout players with Holly Egan having the ball on a string with 33 touches, four marks, nine tackles and six rebound 50s, while Rose Bell and Rain Dodd also had big days out.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
4 – Holly Egan (Murray Bushrangers)
3 – Rose Bell (Murray Bushrangers)
2 – Olivia Jesser (Northern Knights)
1 – Marlo Graham (Northern Knights)

Sandringham Dragons 1.2 (8) lost to Dandenong Stingrays 14.7 (91)

Terrible weather conditions blunted the Dandenong Stingrays’ scoring after quarter time as both sides battled through some tough adversity during the Rays’ 83-point win. Dandenong booted six first quarter goals before the rain began to set in and finished with eight more for the match. It mattered little in the end, with the ‘away’ Stingrays getting the big win over the Dragons.

STANDOUT: Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)

It was another outstanding performance from the ultra-clean Reynolds who ran around like it was a dry day with her ground level work. One of the cleanest players, she used the ball well, connected up with her teammates effectively and took control in the midfield from start until finish. Reynolds finished with 30 disposals, three marks, three tackles, seven inside 50s and a goal in the win.

OTHERS:

The win was made sweeter by the successful return of key tall Elli Symonds who played forward and kicked two goals from 22 disposals and laid six tackles, providing a few highlights along the way. Evelyn Connolly slammed home five goals – three in the first term – to spark the side early, while Tahlia Sanger and Makhaela Bluhm were also among the best in the win. Sandringham had a tough day out but defender Tiger Doultree tried hard with 27 touches, four marks and 14 rebound 50s.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)
4 – Evelyn Connolly (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – Elli Symonds (Dandenong Stingrays)
2 – Tahlia Sanger (Dandenong Stingrays)
1 – Makhaela Bluhm (Dandenong Stingrays)

Geelong Falcons 2.0 (12) lost to Oakleigh Chargers 6.16 (52)

Another game in challenging conditions but largely for the wind, reigning premiers Oakleigh Chargers brought up their 10th win of the season with a 40-point victory over Geelong Falcons in Werribee. The Chargers had 22 scoring shots to two, but kicked 6.16, missing a few fair chances on goal. Still, they showed why they are the team to beat with the commanding performance that included keeping the Falcons scoreless in the first half.

STANDOUT: Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers)

Poustie earned our Coates Talent League Girls Player of the Week honours with a standout 32 disposals – seven more than any other player on the field – as well as five marks, three tackles and six inside 50s. She was everywhere and utilised her elite endurance base to full effect to impact the match from the first bounce to the final siren.

OTHERS:

Emma McDonald (16 disposals, nine marks, three hitouts, two inside 50s and one goal) was prominent inside 50 particularly early, while Abbey Vicino did some damage on the scoreboard with two majors from 17 disposals. Chloe Bown, Maggie Mahony and wingers, Jacinta Baxter and Amy Cariss-Brett were among the other prominent players. Geelong’s Sara Howley and Stella Huxtable won their fair share in midfield while defender Ava Bilyk also got her chance on-ball.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers)
4 – Emma McDonald Oakleigh Chargers)
3 – Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers)
2 – Abbey Vicino (Oakleigh Chargers)
1 – Maggie Mahony (Oakleigh Chargers)