LAST year’s grand finalists moved a win away from facing off in the big dance once again as reigning premiers Oakleigh Chargers and runners-up Eastern Ranges both won their respective metropolitan elimination finals. We took note of some of the standouts, with all notes the opinion of the individual author.

Oakleigh Chargers 9.15 (69) defeated Sandringham Dragons 2.4 (16)

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#2 Sarah Poustie
Midfielder | 170cm | 05/01/2006

Stats: 32 disposals, 5 marks, 9 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Starting off her finals series with a bang, Poustie had another 30-plus disposal game and was everywhere across the four quarters. Not only did she find the ball between the arcs, but held a strong line for any dump kicks outside the attacking 50. When running hard forward, set up two first quarter goals to Grace To and Martin. Her intercept marking, as well as her tackling technique were highlights in the win.

#3 Sienna Tallariti
Defender | 168cm | 10/07/2006

Stats: 9 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 2 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

While her statistics might not jump off the page, the skipper did everything right. She forced an out on the full kick late in the game and consistently cleared the ball from the danger zone. Quite often Tallariti was able to spoil or apply pressure that allowed her teammates to mop up as well in what was a really strong defender’s game.

#5 Abbey Vicino
Forward | 157cm | 13/02/2006

Stats: 22 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals

An impressive game on the big stage, Vicino was one of Oakleigh’s best with her work in the forward half. She buzzed around inside 50, kicked two goals either side of quarter time and looked like being a threat close to goal. While she was able to provide that pressure and option inside 50, Vicino also worked up the ground to have an impact, and her incredibly quick hands allowed teammates to run off and create scoring opportunities of their own. Vicino has a nice balance of offensive and defensive traits that catch the eye.

#9 Chloe Bown
Midfielder/Forward | 174cm | 20/12/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 2 behinds

The bottom-ager rotated between midfield and forward again, and while she missed a couple of snaps in the first half, had her usual impact around the stoppages. Boasting a nice burst and the ability to kick on both sides of her body, Bown provided an aerial presence as well as power on the inside, able to extract the ball from congestion on multiple occasions.

#18 Bailee Martin
Forward | 174cm | 03/09/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

Started her game off right with a nice handball receive from Poustie and slotted a goal on the run, though Martin’s inaccuracy at times is an area to work on. She sprayed one out on the full and another hit the post, but her impact and upside is enormous. The double bottom-ager looms as kicking bags most days with her smarts inside 50 and athleticism for a taller player, while her aerial ability is outstanding. She did finish with the two goals including one early in the fourth from a tight angle.

#19 Charlotte Brewer
Defender | 165cm | 11/09/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

The defender played really well coming off half-back and being aggressive, mopping up on a number of occasions and working up the ground as well to get involved in the play further afield. She can win it in the air or at ground level and has nice vision, and though at times under pressure can make the odd execution mistake, has the work rate to assist and do the team things right, including an outstanding goal-saving smother inside the defensive 50 on McKay who tried to snap from the top of the goalsquare. An impressive performance.

#21 Amelie Gladman
Forward | 166cm | 16/06/2006

Stats: 8 disposals, 4 marks, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Similar to Vicino but perhaps without the reward on the stats sheet, Gladman did the little things right. She kicked her goal in the second term after hitting up McDonald then receiving the next kick in a pocket of space, while setting up others as well. Her multiple efforts throughout the first half and work rate in the forward 50 was on show. Gladman even pulled out the party tricks early with a one-handed mark and used the ball well. Was quieter in the second half, but had her moments when the game was on.

#25 Emma McDonald
Key Forward | 179cm | 18/04/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 3 hitouts, 2 goals, 4 behinds

With finals now taking place, McDonald lined up back in her usual role of key forward after spending a few weeks in defence. She has all the hallmarks of being an incredibly damaging key forward, with just her set shot accuracy letting her down at times. The further out she is, the more reliable McDonald seems to be, with her 30-45m range a sweet spot for the tall talent. Though she did kick the 2.4 on the game, her recovery speed once the ball hits the deck, as well as her ability to crash packs and throw herself at the contest, all catch the eye in what was another impressive outing.

#35 Zoe Curry
Midfielder/Forward | 19/10/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

The double bottom-ager started midfield and while not having a massive game compared to some in the past, was still able to have her moments and play her role on the inside. Curry’s biggest highlight came during the third term where she gathered inside 50, fended off an opponent and was able to snap around her body from 40m which bounced home.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#6 Cleo Phillips
Forward | 175cm | 04/03/2007

Stats: 9 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle, 3 hitouts, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

One of the Dragons’ players who stood up in the absence of others, the bottom-aged Phillips showed a clean pair of hands leading out inside 50. She was hard to quell in the air, and even had a couple of almost marks. Her sole goal came after getting on the end of one from the goalsquare, and while another set shot in the dying seconds of the third term missed to the far right, Phillips was still a threat inside 50.

#10 Macy Watkins
Midfielder | 171cm | 24/05/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

With Daisy Flockart on the inside or Scout Howden on the outside, Watkins stepped up to be that second ball-winning midfielder behind McKay. A defence-first player who applies a fair amount of pressure to the opposition ball-carriers, Watkins knows her way around a stoppage and even spent time on Poustie to free up McKay. Watkins does the basics right, and while she can dump the ball on the boot under pressure, was one of the best Dragons in the defeat with her work rate and stoppage smarts.

#15 Sophie McKay
Midfielder | 168cm | 27/04/2006

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Finishing off her year with a strong performance, McKay often copped plenty of attention from the Chargers’ midfielders but went about her business getting her hands to the ball. Quite often she would win it and be stopped in her track, with Oakleigh well aware of what she can do if given an inch. She had a couple of chances on goal that just missed, were smothered or fell short in the second half, but set up the first goal to Phillips with a brilliant looping handball.

Eastern Ranges 5.15 (45) defeated Northern Knights 5.4 (34)

EASTERN RANGES:

#2 Zoe Vozzo
Wing | 164cm | 06/02/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

An exciting prospect for next year, Vozzo is a naturally gifted wing who has the knack of pushing forward, finding space and being able to have opportunities on goal. While her set shot late in the game missed to the right, Vozzo continually looked lively, particularly in the first half. She covers the ground well, and puts her body on the line too, at one stage forcing a ball-in by producing a clean bump on Kiara Keenan close to the boundary in the first term.

#6 Tayla McMillan
Midfielder | 161cm | 25/05/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 5 inside 50s

Started on-ball and worked hard all game as has come to be the case over the past couple of seasons. McMillan’s second, third and fourth efforts really standout for a player who has enough offensive traits to be a star, but backs it up with fantastic defensive ones too. She generally makes smart decisions, uses the ball well and just works between the arcs to be a distributor going inside 50.

#10 Jordyn Allen
Defender | 166cm | 12/11/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

While Allen has spent time both on a wing and on-ball, the bottom-ager was back at half-back where the Ranges used her run and decision making coming off half-back as a way to thwart Northern attacks. The smooth-moving talent took some kickouts and applied pressure when up the ground, and though like most the Knights’ pressure forced some mistakes, Allen as a whole was reliable with ball in hand.

#11 Grace Belloni
Midfielder| 174cm | 09/09/2006

Stats: 26 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 8 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The biggest element when it comes to Belloni with the ball is a lack of panic and high levels of composure. After a breakout season that has even surpassed a strong bottom-age campaign, Belloni had a few times where under immense pressure she was able to still assess the options and get the ball forward. She used it well and found targets up the ground, doing most of her work in the froward half of the ground, but playing through midfield primarily.

#13 Georgie Brisbane
Forward | 175cm | 13/12/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 2 hitouts, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 2 behinds

Brisbane will always provide a contest and she does just that, being a target inside 50 on the lead and one-on-one. Boasting a great vertical leap, safe hands and the ability to out-manoeuvre her opponent, Brisbane was rewarded with four scoring shots including two goals. The two majors were regulation for a player of her talents, but both game at crucial times with one on the edge of half-time and the other to ice the game from point-blank range. Missed a couple of other chances, but as a whole the 17-year-old had a big impact.

#17 Grace Baba
Defender | 179cm | 17/09/2006

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Equalling her season-high in disposals, Baba’s game has seemingly changed over the course of the season since returning from injury. While her aerial ability was the main feature of her profile earlier in the year, Baba has almost exclusively won the ball either at ground level or via handball receive, taking just the two marks in the past six games after seven in her first two. Despite that, Baba’s impact remains constant her defensive pressure is always high, though only has one speed level which can get her into trouble at times. Still, a line-breaking explosive tall defender is always in high demand and Baba is that, with plenty of upside.

#35 Molly Paterson
Midfielder | 170cm | 11/02/2006

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Started on-ball and was another Ranges player who had a prominent first half before being quieter in the second half. Her work rate and contest-to-contest rate is what stands out in her game, and that hard work was rewarded with a State Combine invite. Paterson gets her hands dirty at ground level, applies great defensive pressure, and knows her way around a stoppage. Not as flashy as others, Paterson puts her head down and provides a ball-winning option in a variety of positions.

#37 Josephine Bamford
Ruck | 182cm | 03/06/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 23 hitouts, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The bottom-age ruck looms as one with much improvement to come next year, but it might be easy to forget she is a ruck with her work around the ground more akin to a smaller player. Standing at 182cm with a great vertical leap, Bamford gets first hands to it, and like her predecessor in Jess Vukic, Bamford is a great exponent of the ruck tap. She had 23 hitouts for the game, getting the chocolates of fellow Vic Metro bottom-ager Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb (eight disposals, 13 hitouts).

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

#1 Olivia Gorman
Midfielder | 166cm | 25/10/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 2 rebound 50s

Coming off a strong performance for Vic Metro Under 17s last week, Gorman picked up where she left off with a consistent four-quarter effort around the ground. She finds the ball in each third and did a lot of her her best work transition from the defensive half. While under siege, Gorman provided some nice run off half-back, extracting from the stoppage and bringing others into it, while laying some fierce tackles.

#3 Marlo Graham
Forward/Midfielder | 163cm | 15/11/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 15 tackles, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

One of the best 11-disposal games you will see, with Graham’s elite defensive pressure a feature. Laying a ridiculous 15 tackles that underpinned the overall Northern Knights focus in the game, Graham showed a high work rate that saw her win the ball at half-back, get it forward and be involved in repeat contests. At one stage, Graham won the ball against two opponents at half-back and set up an overlap major to Scarlett Johnson in the third term. Her courage is also brilliant and shows natural leadership which is why she captained her side at the Under 17 Futures match.

#4 Holly Ridewood
Midfielder/Forward | 173cm | 07/12/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks, 10 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 6 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

The skipper started on-ball and worked hard across the ground to have an impact with just about every disposal. She did spray a set shot after a fantastic mark in the second term, but set up a goal to Johnson in the same passage of play outlined above with Graham to spin inboard off her opponent and put the ball to space. With time and space, Ridewood can hit targets with ease, and while under pressure it can be a work in progress, her defensive pressure is outstanding, laying 10 tackles and producing a crucial smother on the wing in the third term.

#5 Zoe Hargreaves
Midfielder/Forward | 172cm | 03/06/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 1 hitout, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

It was business as usual for Hargreaves who just managed to have an influence, particularly through the first three quarters where she was one of the Knights best without a doubt. Her strength and power on the inside posed some issues for a normally strong Eastern lineup, while Hargreaves also produced a great run-down tackle in the second term too. She can break through tackles and win the ball both in the air and at ground level in a contest, mopping up in the defensive half and transitioning from the back 50 to the forward 50 with consistency. Most of her work was done between the arcs however.

#23 Phoebe Hargreaves
Forward/Midfielder | 160cm | 15/07/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

The younger Hargreaves sibling provided a spark inside 50 and worked up the ground to find it at half-back early in the match to switch play and add some pace on the ball. She is not a massive accumulator, but Hargreaves has her moments, and she won a big centre clearance in the third term, then kicked the first goal of the final term getting on the end of a major to keep her team’s chances alive.

#48 Maddison Meagher
Wing/Defender | 162cm | 02/08/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 2 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

There are quick players, there are very quick players, and then there is Meagher who has crazy quick speed. Once she gets going, she is gone with no one able to run her down, and the only thing stopping the double bottom-ager is whether or not she remembers to bounce the ball. Her execution when at top speed can be tidied up – which is no surprise given that top speed is ridiculous – but her knack for taking grass and exploding means each time she wins it she is hard to miss, and was unlucky to give away a high free kick with what looked to be a good run-down tackle in defence during the second half. Makes the most of her touches.