JUST two venues play host to Coates Talent League Girls action this weekend, with a triple-header at Epsom Huntly Reserve on Saturday, and three games across two days at Highgate Recreation Reserve. Our highlighted match to preview is the grand final rematch between Oakleigh Chargers and Eastern Ranges.

NEED TO KNOW

WHEN: Sunday April 13, 2:20pm
WHERE: Highgate Recreation Reserve, Craigieburn
WATCH: Live stream via Coates Talent League app

IN A NUTSHELL

The two best sides of the last two seasons go head-to-head in what promises to be an exciting next edition. Oakleigh Chargers have got the better of Eastern Ranges on grand final day the past two years, but it could be a case of third time lucky for the Ranges who have a stack of Vic Metro hub members and future stars ready to step up, boasting a higher volume of experienced top-agers now leading the way. Coming into the match, both sides won their respective matchups against Northern Knights (Oakleigh) and Sandringham Dragons (Eastern).

TEAMS

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS
2. Chloe Thorn
4. Zara Neuwirth
5. Isabelle Godfrey
7. Emily Rundle
9. Chloe Bown
10. Eliza  Klein
11. Isabella Mazzei
13. Zoe Curry
14. Chloe Potts
15. Lara Brown
18. Bailee Martin
21. Amelie Gladman
23. Ava Philpin
26. Teagan Murtic
27. Poppy Lawrence
29. Annabelle Roberts
33. Storm Johnson
34. Tatyana Perry
35. Annabelle Mackintosh
40. Jessica Owen 
46. Molly Phillips
47. Elizabeth Wotherspoon
57. Charlotte Crough
36. Jade Gundry (emg)
43. Lara Mercorillo (emg)

EASTERN RANGES
2. Zoe Vozzo
3. Scout Semple
4. Asher Fearn-Wannan
6. Tayla McMillan
7. Bridie Neale
8. Adelaide Caldicott
9. Emma Stilve
10. Jordyn Allen
12. Emily Rankin
13. Amber McDermott
17. Lara Williams
22. Emma Di Petta
24. Maeve Gill
27. Zoe-Grace Willis
28. Isabella Lord
29. Ellie Busch
31. Isabelle Creaton
34. Mathilde Wilkinson
35. Brylee Anderson
36. Bree Horne
37. Josephine Bamford
39. Mackenzie Bourne
54. Zoe Wilkinson
1. Georgia Kavanagh (emg)
11. Paisley Stock (emg)
19. Kate Smith (emg)

ONES TO WATCH

Both teams are absolutely flushed with talent, quite a few of whom have exposed form from last season. Eastern boasts two National Academy members in Tayla McMillan and Jordyn Allen who produced what they have been accustomed to through the midfield. The pair is well supported by bottom-age talent Brylee Anderson who looms as one of the top prospects for next year, and is coming off an ultra-impressive 31-disposal game in the win over Sandringham.

Anderson’s performance was perhaps overshadowed by the exploits of fellow 2008-born talent Bailee Martin who slammed home nine goals against Northern Knights, going through as many as four different defenders at various points but few had answers for her. She will have a tougher matchup in this one with Eastern boasting athletic defenders who can nullify the opposition, with Isabelle Creaton and Bree Horne a couple who could be handed the gig.

The Chargers have their own National Academy member in Chloe Bown, with the dual-sided midfielder-forward amongst the top candidates to be the first Victorian name read out in the draft. The battle with McMillan – who is classed in the same boat – will be fascinating, while Chloe Thorn and Zara Neuwirth are others in the Vic Metro hub.

Eastern has plenty in that boat, with Zoe Wilkinson providing the inside support and Zoe Vozzo doing the same on the outside, while Josephine Bamford should get first hands to it rotating between the ruck and forward. Bottom-ager Zoe Curry is a big in for the Chargers in the game, while Horne returns for the grand final rematch.

There is mutual respect between the sides, but also a budding rivalry that is arguably the fiercest in the league. With no shortage of banter on and off the field, expect plenty of big tackles and goal celebrations on the day.

PREDICTION

Eastern is primed to turn the tables on Oakleigh this season based on numbers and experience, with the Ranges’ inaccuracy the only thing stopping them from having produced an even bigger win against Sandringham. Oakleigh was ultra-impressive as well, though Martin had a lot to say about that, so the one-on-one match up well be fascinating. The Ranges by 15 points.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

A triple-header at Epsom Huntly Reserve will undoubtedly see plenty of family and friends flock to the facility north of Bendigo tomorrow for a full day’s action that kicks off from 11:00am with the Bendigo Pioneers taking on GWV Rebels. Both sides lost in Round 1, though now the Pioneers are without Olivia Lacy who was arguably their best last week. That opens the door for another big performance from powerful Rebel, Maggie Johnstone.

Two teams on opposite ends of the scale in Round 1, Murray Bushrangers produced an emphatic victory over Bendigo Pioneers as Rose Bell went on to slam home six goals, while Nikhita Spiteri had the ball on a string through midfield. Gippsland Power had a first-up match to forget, going down to a stacked Dandenong Stingrays side by 109 points. National Academy member Ella Stoddart and skipper Rebecca Fitzpatrick – the latter of whom missed last week – will be keen to atone.

Speaking of the Stingrays, they cap off the triple-header at Epsom with a clash against Geelong Falcons in the mid-afternoon. Stella Huxtable and Georgia Tyrrell are a terrific one-two punch for the Falcons, but going up against the depth of the Stingrays will be a test. They will need to get their hands on it first to ensure the likes of Evelyn Connolly (three goals) and Alice Cunnington (four) do not cut them apart too.

The sole fixture tomorrow not at Epsom sees Round 1 winners Calder Cannons taking on Round 1 losers, Northern Knights. The Cannons got past the Jets in a nail-biter, while the Knights simply could not stop Martin. Calder does not have the same firepower up forward – though Shauna McElligott is a smart and dangerous talent – with the midfield pairing of Chloe Baker-West and Jade McLay the big concerns. Marlo Graham going head-to-head with Baker-West will be a fantastic battle within itself, while Scarlett Johnson looked good in her new home in defence.

The last remaining match of Round 2 pits Sandringham Dragons up against Western Jets, with the two sides coming off losses and playing in the first match of the double-header at Craigieburn with the Chargers and Rangers following. Ash Patton showed some class in her Dragons’ debut, with Sandringham’s key to victory being getting the ball past Alex McBride-Loane who will be the biggest resistance to the Dragons scoring.

ROUND 2 FIXTURE

Tips in Bold.

Saturday April 12:

Bendigo Pioneers vs. GWV Rebels
Epsom Huntly Reserve, Bendigo | 11:00am

Murray Bushrangers vs. Gippsland Power
Epsom Huntly Reserve, Bendigo | 1:00pm

Geelong Falcons vs. Dandenong Stingrays
Epsom Huntly Reserve, Bendigo | 3:00pm

Calder Cannons vs. Northern Knights
Highgate Recreation Reserve, Craigieburn | 1:00pm

Sunday April 6:

Western Jets vs. Sandringham Dragons
Highgate Recreation Reserve, Craigieburn | 12:10pm

Oakleigh Chargers vs. Eastern Ranges
Highgate Recreation Reserve, Craigieburn | 2:20pm

Bye: Tasmania Devils

Season Tips: 4/6