IN OUR final Coates Talent League Girls Team of the Week for 2024, the last round of regular season action and metropolitan wildcard matches resulted in all six winners having between two and three representatives.

Dandenong Stingrays, Oakleigh Chargers and first-time winners in 2024, Murray Bushrangers, all had three players in our squad, while the remaining three winners – Geelong Falcons, Calder Cannons and Northern Knights – had two, as did three of the six losing sides.

Given the nature of Round 17 and Wildcard Round, two Player of the Week nominations were handed out, with those players being Ellie Hall (Murray Bushrangers) and Sierra Grieves (Western Jets). As such, the pair were named as co-captains in the side. Hall had 39 disposals in a remarkable performance and was named at half-back due to the strength of the midfield and her own versatility, while Grieves slotted into the rover spot after another 34-disposal game.

The other two onballers are no strangers to the Team of the Week, with Geelong Falcons’ Sara Howley and Oakleigh Chargers’ Sarah Poustie named there after both were voted best on ground in their respective games for our Rookie Me Central Medal voting. That forced Sandringham Dragons’ sole representative Sophie McKay and Bendigo Pioneers co-captain Lou Painter to half-forward where they are more than comfortable playing.

Also inside 50 are Chloe Bown – who continued her fantastic form through the midfield and forward – while Eastern Ranges’ Stasia Stevenson had a lively game in their loss to Bown’s Chargers. Also from that game are Oakleigh captain Sienna Tallariti in defence, as well as her Vic Metro teammate and Eastern midfielder/forward Grace Belloni.

Dandenong’s big win over Gippsland Power saw some fresh faces make the side, with double bottom-ager Alice Cunnington named on a wing after kicking three goals in the victory. Makhaela Bluhm also made it in, with forward Nalu Brothwell in the side for a second time in three weeks. Gippsland star Ash Centra was her side’s best playing on all three lines and made it onto the bench for that versatility.

Making the side with Hall, Bushrangers’ captain Holly Egan was terrific coming out of defence, while Majella Day booted three goals up forward. She managed to hit the scoreboard multiple times despite the best efforts of Pioneers’ co-captain Lexi Gregor who was named at centre half-back.

The other key position defender is Western Jets tall Alex McBride-Loane who joined Grieves in the side from her team’s loss to Calder Cannons. Sharing the back 50 with McBride-Loane was Calder’s best in Kyla Forbes who has played on all three lines, while Maddison Albrecht made it onto the interchange.

The ruck for the side is over-age Falcon Hayley Peck, while the last starting member of the team is Northern Knights’ skipper Holly Ridewood who was best on ground during the Knights’ win over the Dragons. Her teammate Marlo Graham was named on the bench alongside GWV Rebels’ sole representative Tyla Crabtree.

With a plethora of emergency options, the three chosen were Northern Knights’ Olivia Gorman, Geelong Falcons’ Stella Huxtable and Dandenong Stingrays’ Jemma Reynolds.

2024 TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 17/WC

B: Holly Egan (Murray Bushrangers) – Alex McBride-Loane (Western Jets) – Sienna Tallariti (Oakleigh Chargers)
HB: Ellie Hall (Murray Bushrangers) (c) – Lexi Gregor (Bendigo Pioneers) – Kyla Forbes (Calder Cannons)
C: Alice Cunnington (Dandenong Stingrays) – Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers) – Holly Ridewood (Northern Knights)
HF: Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers) – Nalu Brothwell (Dandenong Stingrays) – Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons)
F: Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers) – Majella Day (Murray Bushrangers) – Stasia Stevenson (Eastern Ranges)
R: Hayley Peck (Geelong Falcons) – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons) – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets) (c)
INT: Maddison Albrecht (Calder Cannons) – Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges) – Makhaela Bluhm (Dandenong Stingrays) – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power) – Tyla Crabtree (GWV Rebels) – Marlo Graham (Northern Knights)

EMG: Olivia Gorman (Northern Knights) – Stella Huxtable (Geelong Falcons) – Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)