THE final round of the Coates Talent League Girls season – and Wildcard Round for metropolitan teams – took place across the weekend with some nail-biters and breakthrough performances. Here is the recap from the six matches.

Gippsland Power 3.3 (21) lost to Dandenong Stingrays 13.16 (94)

Dandenong Stingrays shook off an early challenge from Gippsland Power – and some inaccuracy on their own part – to run away with a 73-point win at Morwell on Saturday. The Power lead by a point at quarter time, but kicked three behinds for the rest of the match as the Stingrays piled on 11.11 (77) in that time to secure the huge victory.

STANDOUT: Nalu Brothwell (Dandenong Stingrays)

The Dandenong Stingrays forward was enormous in the front half, producing the perfect game. She kicked four goals from 20 disposals, three marks, six tackles and four inside 50s, with only a few gettable behinds away from having an absolutely massive day out. Still, was a headache all day for the Power defence.

OTHERS:

Brothwell’s twin sister Mizuki was also impressive off half-back, while the wings in Tahlia Sanger and Alice Cunnington – the latter of whom got forward to kick 3.3 – were eye-catching, Makhaela Bluhm and Jemma Reynolds were also outstanding in the even win. Ruck/forward Elli Symonds continued her great form too. For the Power, Ash Centra found plenty of the ball, and though not as efficient as the elite user always is, still was the biggest threat to the Stingrays. Jasmine Sowden kicked all of her side’s three goals in the first term, while Grace Dillow, Lily Milner and Rebecca Fitzpatrick tried hard throughout the match.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Nalu Brothwell (Dandenong Stingrays)
4 – Alice Cunnington (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – Makhaela Bluhm (Dandenong Stingrays)
2 – Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)
1 – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)

Bendigo Pioneers 5.3 (33) lost to Murray Bushrangers 7.8 (50)

Finishing off the year with a win, Murray Bushrangers broke their winless season drought with a memorable 17-point triumph over the Pioneers. The Bushrangers had been teetering on the edge of a victory of late, and eventually got the job done. Murray did have to survive a late fightback from the Pioneers after leading by as much as 36 points at one stage in the last term, but were too far ahead at that point.

STANDOUT: Ellie Hall (Murray Bushrangers)

The Murray Bushrangers midfielder/defender posted a season-high 39 touches against the Pioneers, continuing her red-hot start to the season. She also clunked five marks, laid eight tackles and had 12 inside 50s, to be nominated as our Coates Talent League Girls Round 17 Player of the Week.

OTHERS:

Skipper Holly Egan ran hard across four quarters, while Nikhita Spiteri and Sophia Green had their moments through transition. Up forward, double bottom-agers Majella Day (15 disposals, three goals) and Eliza Roche (15 disposals, two goals) were able to hit the scoreboard. The Pioneers usual suspects were on the case with AFLW Academy member Lou Painter (27 disposals) and Alexis Gregor (25 disposals, 10 marks, six tackles, five inside 50s, nine rebound 50s and one goal) phenomenal in defeat. Lavinia Cox and Jemmika Douglas were also busy throughout the contest.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Ellie Hall (Murray Bushrangers)
4 – Lexi Gregor (Bendigo Pioneers)
3 – Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)
2 – Holly Egan (Murray Bushrangers)
1 – Majella Day (Murray Bushrangers)

Geelong Falcons 7.10 (52) defeated GWV Rebels 4.3 (27)

Despite a four-goal first term to the GWV Rebels, Geelong Falcons were able to storm to victory by 25 points in a tune up for finals. The Rebels kicked the first four goals, before the Falcons kicked the next four to level the scores at half-time. After a dour third term, the Falcons picked up the pace again, kicking 3.6 to 0.0 in the final term to get up at LaTrobe University, Bundoora.

STANDOUT: Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)

The Geelong Falcons star capped off her regular season with another big performance, bouncing back from a quieter effort the week before to have the ball on a string once again. Howley finished with 30 disposals, seven marks, five tackles, six inside 50s and a goal in a clear best on ground performance.

OTHERS:

Howley was well supported by Stella Huxtable in midfield, while the wing combination of Lucy Marescuk and Mekah Morrissy worked hard all day. Through the ruck Hayley Peck dominated once again, while running defender Ava Bilyk found her fair share of the ball and used it well in transition. From GWV, hard working contested ball-winners Tyla Crabtree and Isabella Davies stood out, while Maggie Johnstone and Elise Cook were also consistent.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)
4 – Stella Huxtable (Geelong Falcons)
3 – Ava Bilyk (Geelong Falcons)
2 – Tyla Crabtree (GWV Rebels)
1 – Isabella Davies (GWV Rebels)

Northern Knights 6.15 (51) defeated Sandringham Dragons 8.2 (50)

Northern Knights survived a massive scare against Sandringham Dragons, with a couple of late behinds ultimately saving the day for the higher ranked side. Inaccuracy was a problem for the Knights who had 42 more disposals and six more inside 50s, but the Dragons kept coming to even hit the front and be ahead in the last couple of minutes. But forward pressure forced a behind in the last minute to put the Knights ahead.

STANDOUT: Holly Ridewood

The Northern Knights captain was outstanding for a second week in a row, earning the full five votes for her efforts. She picked up 30 touches, two marks six inside 50s and kicked an early goal, rotating between midfield and forward to provide some hard running and leadership to her team when they needed her.

OTHERS:

Alongside Ridewood, Marlo Graham and Olivia Gorman rotated in similar roles and provided some clean hands on the inside and showed their toughness around the coalface. Zoe Hargreaves was her typically impressive slf, while Scarlett Johnson (14 disposals, 1.3) and Olivia Jesser (11 disposals, two goals) were able to impact the scoreboard. For the Dragons, Sophie McKay was near best-on in the first half, and finished with 19 touches and two goals in the loss, while Daisy Flockart, Macy Watkins and Tiger Doultree all tried hard. The loss was compounded by co-captain Scout Howden finishing with an iced ankle.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Holly Ridewood (Northern Knights)
4 – Marlo Graham (Northern Knights)
3 – Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Olivia Gorman (Northern Knights)
1 – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)

Oakleigh Chargers 7.5 (47) defeated Eastern Ranges 6.6 (42)

Oakleigh Chargers came from the clouds to gain incredible bragging rights over arguably their biggest challenger for the flag, kicking four goals to nil in the last term to win by five points at Trevor Barker Oval. The Chargers trailed by 22 points at the last change but kept the Ranges scoreless while hitting the line hard, as a couple of late goals to Amelie Gladman proved key.

STANDOUT: Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers)

In another even field of candidates, Poustie was the most consistent across four quarters yet again, getting it done both offensively and defensively. The top-ager racked up 25 disposals, four marks, nine tackles, seven inside 50s, two rebound 50s and a kicked a goal to continually be a thorn in the Ranges’ side.

OTHERS:

Alongside of Poustie, Chloe Bown continued her fantastic form, while skipper Sienna Tallariti was a rock at half-back. Jacinta Baxter looked lively in the front half as did Isabelle Godfrey behind the ball. Inside 50, Bailee Martin posed a problem, while Emma McDonald and Charlotte Brewer provided rebound out of defence. For the Ranges, Stasia Stevenson and Grace Belloni were busy all day, while being supported by the likes of Tayla McMillan, Molly Paterson and Jordyn Allen.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers)
4 – Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers)
3 – Sienna Tallariti (Oakleigh Chargers)
2 – Stasia Stevenson (Eastern Ranges)
1 – Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges)

Western Jets 4.13 (37) lost to Calder Cannons 6.10 (46)

Winning just their second game of the season, Calder Cannons finished off on a high in the wet at Sandringham, securing a nine-point victory over the Western Jets. The Cannons started fast before the Jets reeled them in, and by the final break both sides were level on points. However accuracy played a part in the last term as the Cannons booted 2.1 to the Jets’ 0.4 which was the difference in the end.

STANDOUT: Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)

Another phenomenal effort from the Vic Metro MVP who was everywhere across the ground and easily best-on despite being on the losing team. She racked up 34 disposals, two marks, 13 tackles, five inside 50s and a classy goal on the run, all while monopolising the centre clearances.

OTHERS:

It was a strange game where Western arguably had four of the best five on the ground, but the Cannons were just more consistent outside of that. Kiara Boyd and Piper Dixon both showed great signs as double bottom-agers getting a chance through midfield after being forwards, while Alex McBride-Loane and Lou-Lou Field were again really strong. Kyla Forbes arguably saved her best until last with her 25-disposal performance playing more midfield, while Maddison Albrecht and Jade McLay were also very strong. Unfortunately for the Cannons, the win was soured by an injury to captain Ava Gerada.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
4 – Kyla Forbes (Calder Cannons)
3 – Kiara Boyd (Western Jets)
2 – Alex McBride-Loane (Western Jets)
1 – Lou-Lou Field (Western Jets)