ROUND 1 of the Coates Talent League Girls competition finally kicks off tomorrow and we take an in-depth look at the the battle of the north between Murray Bushrangers and Bendigo Pioneers in Wangaratta. That is not all though, with plenty of intriguing contests taking place across the state.

NEED TO KNOW

WHEN: Saturday April 5, 11:00am
WHERE: Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta
WATCH: Live stream via Coates Talent League app

IN A NUTSHELL

Two of the most challenging regions from a talent perspective given the sparse nature of the sheer volume of landscape, both the Murray Bushrangers and Bendigo Pioneers are known for their top-end talent. Bendigo won this corresponding fixture last year en route to three straight wins to open the season before gradually tiring. The Bushies saved the best until last, winning in the final round against the Pios to finally crack through for a well-deserved victory.

TEAMS

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS
2. Constance Dodd
3. Rain Dodd
5. Molly McLaren
6. Lana Carroll
7. Carmela Perri
8. Leila Creevey
9. Eliza Roche
10. Sophia Green
12. Isabella Klein
15. Nikhita Spiteri
16. Scarlet Galvin
17. Tahli Jackson
18. Neeve Taylor
19. Tessa Lidgerwood
20. Hayley Whitsed
21. Jazmine Holdsworth
23. Madison Ibrahim
24. Rose Bell
26. Lauren Jewitt
27. Matilda Henderson
30. Amelie Thompson
39. Skylah McPherson
41. Abbey Ibrahim
13. Jerrah Caruso (emg)
37. Nakiyah Fraser (emg)
38. Rose Milthorpe (emg)

BENDIGO PIONEERS
1. Georgia Garlick
2. Olivia Lacy (c)
3. Alysha Boyd
4. Jordan O’Bree
5. Ava Bibby
7. Sophie O’Connell
8. Grace McMillan
9. Beth Morris
10. Hannah Cochrane
12. Issy Boulton
14. Lacey Nihill
22. Katrina Bau
23. Ella Jeffrey
26. Leni Brown
28. Hollie Everett
30. Carrie Harris
34. Kassidy Cail
35. Lucy Gilbee
42. Zahra Kelly
44.Lottie Adams
45. Leisi Kirirua-Gill
46. Ruby Tierney
48. Tessa Skipper
33. Alannah Prowse (emg)
37. Tahlia Thorpe (emg)

ONES TO WATCH

While neither side has a National Academy member, both have some draftable talent, with Murray’s bottom-age group incredibly strong, while the Pioneers have a balance though look to at least have a couple landing on AFLW lists at year’s end.

The most intriguing might be key forward Ava Bibby who, while not winning a lot of the ball is one of those players that you choose to kick a goal if your life depended on it. Making the most of her opportunities, Bibby is joined in the Vic Country hub by silky defender-turned-midfielder Olivia Lacy and tough nut Ella Jeffrey.

From a bottom-age perspective, the Pioneers have players such as Georgia Garlick and Lacey Nihill who have caught the eye, while making her debut, Under 16s prospect Jordan O’Bree – daughter of boys’ coach Danny – is a name to remember for the future.

Murray has its fair share of talent, particularly for next year’s draft. The likes of Rose Bell (defender/forward) and Sophia Green (midfielder) are top-end prospects, while Constance Dodd and Eliza Roche have some fantastic traits.

Dodd’s older sister Rain is a top-age Vic Country hub member alongside Nikhita Spiteri, while tough inside midfielder Molly McLaren makes her return after taking most of last year off. Hayley Whitsed is one who comes with high wraps internally from the Bushies camp, while over-ager Madison Ibrahim will return before making the transition to VFLW footy with Essendon.

PREDICTION

The match looms as a really tight contest with both sides having some quality players. Bendigo always starts the season strong, so will lean towards tipping the Pioneers, though remaining at home will be a positive for the Bushies. The first match sees the cobwebs shaken off, and players emerge to set themselves up for really good years. Bendigo by 6 points.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The other Saturday game pits another two country teams against each other in GWV Rebels and Geelong Falcons. The two sides have become familiar foes up first, with the latter tipped in the game given Geelong’s depth. Stella Huxtable and Georgia Tyrrell will lead the midfield, while Maggie Johnstone is a valuable utility for the Rebels.

Turning the attention to Sunday, and a massive four games take place including a double-header at Highgate Recreation Reserve where the Western Jets – fresh off practice match win against their opponents nine days earlier – face Calder Cannons, before Northern Knights tackle reigning back-to-back premiers Oakleigh Chargers.

It has been a while since both Chloe Baker-West and Jade McLay were both fit and available for the Cannons, with the National Academy duo set to cause a few headaches, while Western tall Alex McBride-Loane is the main one to watch from the visitors.

Northern and Oakleigh have outstanding depth across the board, with the Knights have a stacking of top-age Vic Metro hub members. Phoebe Hargreaves – sister of Tiger Zoe – and Marlo Graham are a couple from Northern, while Chloe Bown could well be the top Victorian this year, while Northern Territory talent Tatyana Perry will run out for the Chargers first-up too.

Down in Morwell, the Gippsland Power play host to Dandenong Stingrays. The Stingrays loom as a genuine flag threat, with the likes of Mizuki Brothwell running off half-back and Matilda Argus and Lillian Snow in the middle. National Academy member Ella Stoddart headlines Gippsland’s talent in 2025, with Abby Hobson a key target inside 50.

In the last game of the round, Sandringham Dragons tackles Eastern Ranges at RSEA Park with the latter hungry to go one better than the past two seasons. Tayla McMillan and Jordyn Allen are Eastern’s National Academy members, though the team bats far deeper than that, with potentially double-digit draftees over the next two years coming from the Round 1 team. Sandringham has gained former National Academy member Ash Patton who will provide some clash alongside the toughness of Macy Watkins.

ROUND 1 FIXTURE

Tips in Bold.

Saturday April 5:

Murray Bushrangers vs. Bendigo Pioneers
Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta | 11:00am

GWV Rebels vs. Geelong Falcons
Mars Stadium, Ballarat | 11:00am

Sunday April 6:

Calder Cannons vs. Western Jets
Highgate Recreation Reserve, Craigieburn | 10:30am

Gippsland Power vs. Dandenong Stingrays
Morwell Recreation Reserve, Morwell | 11:00am

Northern Knights vs. Oakleigh Chargers
Highgate Recreation Reserve | 12:40pm

Sandringham Dragons vs. Eastern Ranges
RSEA Park, Moorabbin | 2:00pm

Bye: Tasmania Devils