WET and windy conditions proved problematic for Coates Talent League Girls sides across the weekend in what provided a number of tight, low-scoring contests because of it. We recap Round 14 and how it all went down.

Northern Knights 7.12 (54) defeated Bendigo Pioneers 0.2 (2)

Northern Knights proved too strong for Bendigo Pioneers at home in Preston, running away 52-point winners. The Knights arguably should have won by more but were inaccurate in the conditions, kicking 7.12 including a 3.11 first half. They only conceded 17 inside 50s for the game though in an impressive victory.

STANDOUT: Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)

The Vic Metro midfielder just keeps getting it done and was important in transition for the Knights, earning best afield honours for us in an even team performance. It could have gone to any number of half a dozen players, but Hargreaves positioning and work from the stoppage and going forward was crucial in transitioning possessions into scores.

OTHERS:

Hargreaves was well supported on-ball by sister Phoebe and Olivia Gorman, with the latter having a gam-high 28 touches. Scarlett Johnson and Kira Lemire proved a threat up forward, while Maddison Meagher and skipper Holly Ridewood provided speed off the wing and half-back respectively. For the Pioneers, Jemmika Douglas and Olivia Lacy were prominent, while Sienna Hobbs provided aerial strength through the ruck and up forward.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
4 – Maddison Meagher (Northern Knights)
3 – Kira Lemire (Northern Knights)
2 – Olivia Gorman (Northern Knights)
1 – Holly Ridewood (Northern Knights)

Geelong Falcons 2.0 (12) lost to Tasmania Devils 3.5 (23)

In a tough slog in terrible conditions, three of the five goals were kicked in the opening quarter before Tasmania held on in a tight one over Geelong Falcons by 11 points. The Devils did enough to get the win, though there was not much between the sides with the Falcons’ tackling pressure incredible in making life difficult for the Devils.

STANDOUT: Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)

Despite her side going down, Howley was a prominent ball-winner throughout and laid nine tackles to go with her 24 touches, three inside 50s and two rebound 50s. The Geelong Falcons midfielder looked to create some run in the challenging conditions and did all she could through the course of the match.

OTHERS:

Howley’s counterpart Priya Bowering had a game-high 26 touches, while also laying eight tackles and having four inside 50s and two rebound 50s to get her team over the line. She thrived in the wet conditions, with the likes of Mia Anderson and Lucy Thompson also battling hard. Josie Rose kicked two goals to make up 40 per cent of the game’s score, as Mischa Barwin and Mackenzie Williams also had their moments. After Howley, Chloe Bryant was the next best with an eye-catching display, while Rebecca Clottey‘s defensive pressure and Hayley Peck‘s ruck craft also stood out.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)
4 – Priya Bowering (Tasmania Devils)
3 – Chloe Bryant (Geelong Falcons)
2 – Mia Anderson (Tasmania Devils)
1 – Josie Rose (Tasmania Devils)

Dandenong Stingrays 1.0 (6) lost to Eastern Ranges 3.9 (27)

In a low-scoring battle between top three sides in torrential rain, Eastern Ranges continued their great form this season to hand the Stingrays just their fourth loss of the season. The Ranges kicked all three of their goals in the first nine minutes, with just nine straight behinds in the last 71 minutes, while the Stingrays kicked their only goal in the second term.

STANDOUT: Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges)

Tayla-made for wet conditions, the clean and deadly bottom-ager was at her best yet again, collecting yet another best on ground. As has been the case so often this season, McMillan looked like she was running around with a dry ball, picking up 32 disposals, laying 11 tackles and having three inside 50s.

OTHERS:

McMillan was well supported by fellow Vic Metro Under 18s member Grace Belloni (29 disposals, two marks, eight tackles, four inside 50s and two rebound 50s). Over-ager Isla Baldwin and under-agers Jordyn Allen and Emily Rankin also did some nice things, as did Stasia Stevenson. For the Stingrays, Elli Symonds was strong before coming off early in the fourth term, while Jemma Reynolds and Kayla Dalgleish teamed up well. Under 16s prospect Scarlett Marsh had a strong game in transition as well.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges)
4 – Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges)
3 – Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)
2 – Elli Symonds (Dandenong Stingrays)
1 – Emily Rankin (Eastern Ranges)

GWV Rebels 3.9 (27) defeated Calder Cannons 3.7 (25)

There was not much between GWV Rebels and Calder Cannons in similar challenging conditions with the home side eventually winning by two points. They led by as much as 16 points at the final break, before the Cannons kicked 2.2 to 0.0 in the final term for an almighty scare. It would be too little, too late though, as GWV came away with the four points.

STANDOUT: Brook Ward (GWV Rebels)

In the most even game of the round, it was Ward who got the nod as our best on ground in what was just her second game for the year. She used her strong frame in at the clearances and was terrific defensively, even getting back to assist in the back 50 later in the game. Ward ended up with 19 touches, nine tackles, four inside 50s and two rebound 50s.

OTHERS:

Fellow midfielder Tyla Crabtree and defender Millie Lang both had 22 disposals and worked hard, while Isabella Davies also found plenty of the pill. Claire Mahony and Maggie Johnstone were among those more prominent players in the front half of the ground. Meanwhile Kyla Forbes had a big game for the Cannons, with Grace Azzopardi, Charli Calleia and Maddison Albrecht all among the better players.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Brook Ward (GWV Rebels)
4 – Kyla Forbes (Calder Cannons)
3 – Millie Lang (GWV Rebels)
2 – Claire Mahony (GWV Rebels)
1 – Charli Calleia (Calder Cannons)

Western Jets 4.6 (30) lost to Gippsland Power 11.8 (74)

Despite a couple of late consolation goals from Western Jets, Gippsland Power had too many avenues to go at a windy Williamstown, winning by 44 points at DSV Stadium. The Power had a five goals to nil third term which proved the difference, leading by as much as 50 points early in the fourth before the Jets managed to get back a couple of goals through debutant Piper Dixon.

STANDOUT: Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)

The potential pick one had just another game where she was that class above, kicking three goals from 28 disposals in windy conditions. Though set shots have been a rare blip in an otherwise ridiculous CV of weaponry, Centra had no problems in the Round 14 match with three straight. She rotated between midfield and forward and had an impact wherever she went.

OTHERS:

Alongside Centra were the likes of Rebecca Fitzpatrick and Lilly Leighton who worked hard all game, kicking a goal with the likes of Lily Milner and Ella Stoddart who continued their great form up forward. For the Jets, Olivia Castello started in defence and caught the eye in the air, finishing with a game-high eight marks to go with 20 touches, while Sierra Grieves and Hannah Brodie were also busy.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
4 – Rebecca Fitzpatrick (Gippsland Power)
3 – Olivia Castello (Western Jets)
2 – Lilly Leighton (Gippsland Power)
1 – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)

Sandringham Dragons 4.4 (28) defeated Murray Bushrangers 3.7 (25)

Despite a late scare, Sandringham Dragons were able to hold on and snap a six-game losing streak with a three-point victory over Murray Bushrangers. The Dragons kicked the only two goals of the third term up in Craigieburn to lead by 17 points at the final break, though the ball was camped inside Murray’s front half for almost the entire third term, mustering two goals but not quite enough to get over the line.

STANDOUT: Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons)

McKay earned our Rookie Me Central Player of the Week for her work through the midfield for the Dragon, collecting 27 disposals, five tackles, two inside 50s and four rebound 50s in the win, using her explosive burst to impact games.

OTHERS:

McKay and fellow inclusions, Scout Howden (24 disposals, five tackles and five rebound 50s) and Daisy Flockart (19 disposals, seven tackles and five inside 50s) were the difference in the end, while Tiger Doultree (20 disposals, five tackles and five rebound 50s) tried hard out of defence. Rain Dodd (25 disposals, 13 tackles, four inside 50s and three rebound 50s) starred for the Bushrangers, while Sophia Green, Holly Egan and Majella Day were also prominent in defeat.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons)
4 – Rain Dodd (Murray Bushrangers)
3 – Daisy Flockart (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Scout Howden (Sandringham Dragons)
1 – Sophia Green (Murray Bushrangers)