RETURNING after a week off, Sandringham Dragons star Sophie McKay was crucial in her side’s nail-biting three-point win over Murray Bushrangers at Highgate Recreation Reserve. The Carlton father-daughter prospect shone in windy conditions at Craigieburn, producing a best on ground performance to be our Rookie Me Central Coates Talent League Girls Player of the Week for Round 14.

McKay racked up a game-high 27 disposals, while also finishing with five tackles, two inside 50s, four rebound 50s and a mark in an even all-round performance from both sides. The inclusion of McKay and fellow Vic Metro representatives Scout Howden and Daisy Flockart was enough to spark the Dragons into snapping a six-game losing streak, defeating the winless Bushrangers despite Murray kicking the last two goals of the game and drawing within a kick just six minutes into the final term.

After missing Round 13 and having a quiet second half against Oakleigh in Round 12, McKay got back to what she does best – winning the footy. Her 27 disposals matched that of her performance against the Western Jets back in Round 6, though she bettered that twice with 30 and 31 disposal performances which also came with two goals. They were against the Northern Knights in Round 11 and GWS Giants Academy in Round 4 respectively.

McKay is averaging 22.9 disposals, 2.8 marks, 5.5 tackles,3.8 inside 50s, 1.9 rebound 50s and has booted five goals across eight games for the Dragons. She has also been among the better players for Vic Metro at this year’s national carnival.

Bottom-age wing Rain Dodd (25 disposals, 13 tackles, four inside 50s and three rebound 50s) was the pick of the opposition, while out west, Ash Centra had another day out. The Gippsland Power star booted three goals from 28 touches in a dominant performance against the Western Jets.

Centra was one of a number of past Player of the Week winners to impress, with Tayla McMillan having the ball on a string in her side’s win over Dandenong Stingrays. The Eastern Ranges bottom-ager finished with 32 disposals, 11 tackles and three inside 50s in the wet at Frankston, while Grace Belloni (29 disposals, two marks, eight tackles, four inside 50s and two rebound 50s) was also very good.

Up at La Trobe University in similar conditions, top ball winners and past Player of the Week nominees in Tasmania Devils’ Priya Bowering and Geelong Falcons’ Sara Howley went at it. The former had the last laugh with the four points, but also finished with 26 disposals, eight tackles, four inside 50s and two rebound 50s, while the latter managed 24 disposals, nine tackles, three inside 50s and two rebound 50s.

In Northern Knights’ win over Bendigo Pioneers, the contributions were split, though Olivia Gorman had a game-high 28 disposals, as well as four marks, five tackles and three inside 50s. Zoe Hargreaves and skipper Holly Ridewood were also very good.

2024 COATES TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Round 1 – Marlo Graham (Northern Knights)
Round 2 – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
Round 3 – Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)
Round 4 – Mischa Barwin (Tasmania Devils)
Round 5 – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)
Round 6 – Maggie Mahony (Oakleigh Chargers)
Round 7 – Mekah Morrissy (Geelong Falcons)
Round 8 – Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)
Round 9 – Sophia Green (Murray Bushrangers)
Round 10 – Priya Bowering (Tasmania Devils)
Round 11 – Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges)
Round 12 – Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers)
Round 13 – Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers)
Round 14 – Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons)