AFTER an incredible season that saw some teams rise and others fall, ultimately 12 months on the saw two sides that contested last year’s Coates Talent League Girls Grand Final are back for a rematch. Oakleigh Chargers lifted the trophy aloft against the Eastern Ranges last season, and have had their measure in season 2024, but will the match go to script or is an upset brewing?

Saturday, September 21
Ikon Park | @ 10:45am

FORM:

Like any clear top two sides, these teams at full strength have not lost too often. Eastern Ranges went down to Geelong Falcons mid-season when missing half of their lineup due to Vic Metro duties as well as a tough Brisbane Lions Academy, while Oakleigh Chargers’ only defeat came at the hands of the Gold Suns Academy up north. In their head-to-head battles, the most recent one resulted in Oakleigh coming from behind at three quarter time to win in a thriller during Wildcard Round, while having a far more comfortable win at the start of the season.

TEAMS:

Oakleigh Chargers:

B: Chloe Thorn – Zara Neuwirth – Emily Rundle
HB: Sophie McIntosh – Sienna Tallariti – Charlotte Brewer
C: Isabelle Godfrey – Maggie Mahony – Amy Cariss-Brett
HF: Abbey Vicino – Jacinta Baxter – Amelie Gladman
F: Bailee Martin – Emma McDonald – Grace To
R: Daisy Bird – Sarah Poustie – Chloe Bown
INT: Isabella Mazzei – Lara Brown – Emma Stark – Zoe Curry – Skye Emery

Eastern Ranges:

B: Zoe-Grace Willis – Brylee Anderson – Asher Fearn-Wannan
HB: Jordyn Allen – Grace Baba – Isabelle Creaton
C: Evie Parker – Molly Paterson – Zoe Vozzo
HF: Emily Rankin – Georgie Brisbane – Scout Semple
F: Emma Stilve – Kelsie Ternes – Georgia Knight
R: Josephine Bamford – Tayla McMillan – Grace Belloni
INT: Angelina Torcasio – Stasia Stevenson – Indiana Markby – Bree Horne – Mackenzie Bourne

CHANGES:

Oakleigh Chargers:

In: Bailee Martin
Out: Charlee Johnson

Eastern Ranges:

No change

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Oakleigh Chargers:

Skipper Sienna Tallariti won best on ground in the corresponding game 12 months ago to really catapult her into the spotlight. An AFLW Academy member alongside Emma McDonald, both will play key roles at opposite ends of the ground. McDonald will welcome the return of double bottom-ager Bailee Martin who missed last week due to illness, but the forwardline is also well complimented by the likes of Amelie Gladman and Abbey Vicino who both earned Draft Combine invites and were part of Vic Metro’s program.

Oakleigh’s defence is rock solid with Charlotte Brewer and Chloe Thorn providing great transitional running, while Zara Neuwirth will have a lockdown role on an opposition forward. The midfield battle will be key, with Sarah Poustie, Maggie Mahony and Chloe Bown providing a nice mix of offensive and defensive traits.

Eastern Ranges:

The Eastern forwardline is one of high potency and has a number of potential goal-scoring threats. From the second highest goalkicker in the league in Georgia Knight to Vic Metro co-captain Georgie Brisbane and rotational midfielder/forward Grace Belloni, the marking targets inside 50 are quite varied. Throw in the dangerous Emma Stilve and Scout Semple, while the talented Stasia Stevenson pulled up well after coming off early in the preliminary final but mainly due to precaution.

Through the middle, Belloni is well supported by bottom-agers Tayla McMillan and Jordyn Allen, with the latter being more utilised as a half-back of late. Speaking of half-back, Grace Baba and Brylee Anderson will create some run and carry from defence, while winger Evie Parker is a two-way runner with plenty of intent.

COACHES COMMENTS:

Oakleigh Chargers:

Tyrone Vickery

“If we can stop them and not give them run-ons, break even at the contest or beat them at the contest, then I’m sure we can generate a fair few opportunities ourselves and then from there that’s by us through getting opportunities, hopefully that prevents them transitioning the ball out the other way.”

Eastern Ranges:

Jarrad Donders

“I think for any grand final it’s a lot of the moments that matter. The team that can execute on the scoreboard, the team that can come away and win those big moments or the moments that matter and the momentum swings is going to define the best team on the day tomorrow.”

PREDICTION

The match genuinely shapes as a cracker that could go either way. Oakleigh’s form and history suggests the Chargers are deserving favourites, however Eastern is the side that has so much potency that you can never write the Ranges off. Expect it to be a very similar game to last time and the result to be within a kick.