A DOUBLE-header switched from the Sunday to tomorrow means there is no shortage of footballing action in place for the Coates Talent League Girls. Heading into the penultimate Round 16, there are all-metropolitan battles and all-Country battles, with though most are tipped to be fairly one-sided based on past results.

Saturday, August 17
Highgate Recreation Reserve | @ 10:00am

FORM:

Calder Cannons return to Highgate for the first time in just under a month, and will look to snap a five-game losing streak that dates back to Round 10. The Cannons’ sole win came in Round 8 when knocking off the winless Murray Bushrangers by 10 points in a come-from-behind thriller at Wangaratta, but will find the Knights a tough side to overcome. Northern won the corresponding fixture back in Round 1 by four goals, but have got even better since then, and have won four matches on the bounce, albeit against sides outside the top eight.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Calder Cannons:

Calder will welcome back bottom-ager Jade McLay to the mix, to lineup in the midfield alongside Charli Calleia, while top-ager Maddison Albrecht has hit top form in the second half of the season since returning from injury. Kyla Forbes also comes back into the lineup in her familiar Metro defensive role, while Stephanie Mitchell has shown promising signs in 2024.

Northern Knights:

The Knights have a strong midfield group with Vic Metro representatives Zoe Hargreaves and Marlo Graham roving to Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb, and skipper Holly Ridewood providing run between half-back and the wing. Olivia Jesser has been in some fantastic form of late, while contested marking options, Kira Lemire and Scarlett Johnson continue to pose problems for the opposition defence.

PREDICTION

Northern Knights should make it five wins on the trot and keep the momentum going ahead of finals where they will face Eastern Ranges in the first week of the metropolitan finals series. For Calder, pride is on the line and a second potential win in the Cannons’ last official game of the season.

Saturday, August 17
Warrawee Park | @ 10:30am

FORM:

Sandringham finally cracked through for a win against Murray in the Dragons’ last match back on July 28, having suffered some heavy losses across the past seven weeks prior to that. It included a 94-point shellacking at the hands of Oakleigh Chargers back on July 6, so the game spells as a danger one for the Dragons. These two sides will face off in the first round of the metropolitan finals series as well, with the Dragons early season form getting them there. Oakleigh on the other hand will finish minor premiers again and are strong favourites for back-to-back flags.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Oakleigh Chargers:

The Chargers have named key forward Emma McDonald in defence for a nice switchup, while Caulfield Grammar star Bailee Martin returns to the Talent League and will likely have a lot more freedom in the forward half of the ground for the Chargers. Skipper Sienna Tallariti and midfielder Sarah Poustie also return, while Maggie Mahony still recovers with her arm in a sling. Vice-captain Abbey Vicino and fellow forward Amelie Gladman provide some extra punch to the front half of the ground.

Sandringham Dragons:

After playing in Melbourne Grammar’s successful Herald Sun Shield final on Tuesday, Sophie McKay will continue nursing a corked thigh sustained during the last national carnival game on the weekend. She will miss the clash, but co-captain Scout Howden, and fellow Vic Metro representative Daisy Flockart will remain in the side. Best on ground for Melbourne Grammar in that game, Chloe Williams will play, as will midfielder Macy Watkins.

PREDICTION

Fairly easy prediction here unless a massive upset brews. Oakleigh is the team to beat in season 2024, and Sandringham, though improved in its last match, will struggle to contain the Chargers and what they are capable of scoring.

Saturday, August 17
Highgate Recreation Reserve | @ 12:10pm

FORM:

Time is running out for Murray to post its first win of the season, and a victory in teh final fortnight would be deserving given how many tight losses the Bushrangers have had to endure. It seems tough to expect it here though, with the Power rolling on towards finals. In what has been Gippsland’s best season to-date, the Power will finish in the top three for the country regions, but could rise as high as top spot if they win both, knocking off Dandenong in the final round.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Gippsland Power:

Heading into the clash with the bottom-side minus star Ash Centra, Gippsland will have a different look to its group. Skipper Zali Gallagher has been named on the inside along with Vic Country representative Jasmine Sowden, while Ella Stoddart will start forward as she so often does. Double bottom-agers Grace Dillow and Lily Milner have also been in great form since coming into the Power lineup.

Murray Bushrangers:

Murray’s side has no shortage of talent across the board, and the midfield that includes Ellie Hall, Nikhita Spiteri and Sophia Green will match it with anyone. Vic Country representatives Madison Ibrahim and captain Holly Egan will provide important run, but the Bushrangers are missing two double bottom-agers who can hit the scoreboard in Rose Bell and Majella Day.

PREDICTION

Once again, Gippsland looks that bit more polished, and if the Power’s stars come to play, they have a little too much firepower for Murray. The Bushrangers have a stack of quality players, and do defend well compared to the other bottom six sides, but have had trouble scoring in the past.

Saturday, August 17
La Trobe University | @ 2:00pm

FORM:

Tasmania Devils will be gunning for a home final in the upcoming series, and without a match in Round 17, the Round 16 clash against Bendigo Pioneers becomes a must-win. If the Devils get up, they will finish top two in the country division as both Gippsland and Dandenong – favoured to win over the weekend as well – face each other in the final round. Bendigo on the other hand can actually rise above Sandringham Dragons with a victory, but the issue is the Pioneers have lost nine on the trot since starting the season 3-0.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Bendigo Pioneers:

Bendigo will be minus star Vic Country midfielder Lou Painter for the clash, though ruck/forward Sienna Hobbs, forward/defender Alexis Gregor and defender/ruck Sasha Pearce have all been named. Last round’s five-goal hero Ava Bibby lines up once again, while through the midfield, Jemmika Douglas, Lavinia Cox and Olivia Lacy should provide some important dash.

Tasmania Devils:

The Devils have a quality midfield, with star bottom-ager Priya Bowering coming off a ridiculous 47-disposal performance a fortnight ago. Her partner-in-crime Mischa Barwin has been named in the centre, while Harriet Bingley and Ava Read provide targets up forward alongside Josie Rose. Lucah Conkie and Natasha Furjanic provide some important run for the Devils across the board.

PREDICTION

With more on the line from a finals perspective for the Devils, expect them to have the hunger for wanting a top two division finish. Tasmania have more depth and consistency across the board, though the Pioneers do have match-winners and if it all clicks, can be a threat more so than some of the other lower sides. Arguably the biggest chance of an upset from the four games.