SUFFERING leather poisoning for yet another week, Murray Bushrangers midfielder Ellie Hall had a dominant day out for her side as she helped steer the Bushies to their first win of the season. The Bushrangers defeated Bendigo Pioneers by 17 points up at Queen Elizabeth Oval, ensuring they finished the season on a high.

Hall had 12 more disposals than anyone on the ground, racking up a massive 39 touches, while taking five marks, laying eight tackles and having 12 inside 50s. She was clearly best afield and potential top 30 prospect has been building brilliantly, having recorded three consecutive matches of 30-plus disposals, and has only dipped below the mark once from her five matches this season.

Returning from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury over the off-season, Hall has quickly found her form, averaging 26.6 disposals, 5.9 marks. 6.4 tackles 4.0 inside 50s and 2.1 rebound 50s to become a critical member of Murray’s lineup.

Opposition midfielder and pas nominee Lou Painter (27 disposals, four marks, six tackles, six inside 50s and five rebound 50s) and her co-captain Alexis Gregor (25 disposals, 10 marks, six tackles, five inside 50s, nine rebound 50s and a goal) were other strong candidates.

Meanwhile around the grounds, Dandenong Stingrays’ Nalu Brothwell had a day to remember slotting four goals from 20 disposals, three marks, six tackles and four inside 50s, while Ash Centra accumulated 28 disposals, five marks, four tackles and three rebound 50s in the Power’s loss.

In the other Round 17 match, Sara Howley returned to her standout form, racking up 30 disposals, seven marks, five tackles, six inside 50s, two rebound 50s and a goal, while her fellow midfielder/forward in Stella Huxtable (28 disposals, three marks, eight tackles, five inside 50s and a goal) was also prolific in Geelong’s win over GWV.

Meanwhile from the Wildcard Round matches, another Player of the Week nominee was selected, with Western Jets’ Sierra Grieves well overdue. Having been best on ground most weeks – unfortunately in more losses than wins – Grieves has marginally kept missing out. However across the triple-header at Trevor Barker Oval, Grieves was the standout player on the day.

She still played in a loss to Calder, but the Jets midfielder and Vic Metro MVP finished with 35 disposals, two marks, 13 tackles, five inside 50s and a classy goal to be best afield despite the defeat. She earned the nomination in her side’s final match of the year, with fellow standouts Lou-Lou Field and Alex McBride-Loane also having a couple of big games.

In the first game of the triple header, Northern Knights skipper Holly Ridewood was a standout, collecting 30 disposals, two marks, six inside 50s and kicking an early goal, while Sandringham Dragons’ Sophie McKay was best-on to half-time, finishing the match with a couple of goals from 19 disposals.

In the other match, Oakleigh midfielders and Rounds 12-13 nominees Sarah Poustie and Chloe Bown were everywhere for the Chargers, while Stasia Stevenson and Grace Belloni were among the better Eastern players in the tight loss.

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)
Round 15 – Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges)
Round 16 – Jasmine Sowden (Gippsland Power)
Round 17 – Ellie Hall (Murray Bushrangers)
Wildcard Round – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)