TWO players have the potential to be named three-time Rookie Me Central Talent League Girls Team of the Year representatives after the 48-player squad was released today. The squad features players from across the 13 talent regions, with ladder leaders Oakleigh Chargers (seven) and second placed Eastern Ranges (six) the clear standout regions.

Among the next highest represented regions are five of the other six finalists in Dandenong Stingrays, Geelong Falcons, Gippsland Power, Northern Knights and Tasmania Devils who each have four nominees. The remaining six regions have been two and three representatives apiece.

Our Talent League Girls Team of the Year squad is chosen based on Team of the Week nominations, with every player selected in the 48-player squad having been named in a minimum of three teams throughout the 2024 season.

The only other stipulation was that players must have played at least seven matches throughout the course of the 2024 season, which meant some players with three nominations such as Elli Symonds and Lou-Lou Field fell just short of the threshold. In the case of ties of three representative teams, top and bottom-agers had first preference over double bottom-agers, and then subjective reasoning was applied.

Two players – Lou Painter and Ash Centra – are gunning for a third straight Team of the Year spot having made the side in both 2022 and 2023 as double bottom-agers and bottom-agers. While they are the only two players able to make it three on the trot, there are a further 10 players who made last year’s final squad of 24 in contention to make it back-to-back teams.

Among the potential players to make the final square are Vic Metro MVP Sierra Grieves, Vic Country MVP and reigning Rookie Me Central Medallist Sara Howley, AFLW Under 18 Championships leading goalkicker Georgia Knight and Talent League Girls leading goalkicker Ava Read.

The final 24-player squad will be announced next week, with three emergencies also selected.

2024 ROOKIE ME CENTRAL TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM OF THE YEAR SQUAD

Bendigo Pioneers [3]: Jemmika Douglas, Sienna Hobbs, Lou Painter
Calder Cannons [2]: Maddison Albrecht, Kyla Forbes
Dandenong Stingrays [4]: Nalu Brothwell, Evelyn Connolly, Kayla Dalgleish, Jemma Reynolds
Eastern Ranges [6]: Jordyn Allen, Grace Belloni, Georgia Knight, Tayla McMillan, Evie Parker, Stasia Stevenson
Geelong Falcons [4]: Sara Howley, Stella Huxtable, Mekah Morrissy, Hayley Peck
Gippsland Power [4]: Ash Centra, Abby Hobson, Jasmine Sowden, Ella Stoddart
GWV Rebels [3]: Isabella Davies, Millie Lang, Claire Mahony
Murray Bushrangers [3]: Holly Egan, Sophia Green, Ellie Hall
Northern Knights [4]: Marlo Graham, Zoe Hargreaves, Scarlett Johnson, Holly Ridewood
Oakleigh Chargers [7]: Chloe Bown, Maggie Mahony, Bailee Martin, Emma McDonald, Sarah Poustie, Sienna Tallariti, Abbey Vicino
Sandringham Dragons [2]: Scout Howden, Sophie McKay
Tasmania Devils [4]: Mischa Barwin, Priya Bowering, Ava Read, Mackenzie Williams
Western Jets [2]: Sierra Grieves, Alex McBride-Loane