A LATE flurry from Oakleigh Chargers ensured the reigning back-to-back premiers got over Eastern Ranges yet again as the two heavyweights battled in out in the match of the Coates Talent League Girls season to-date. If the contest was anything to go by, expect more intriguing battles to come in the future.

Oakleigh Chargers just find a way to win and they did it again when they took down Eastern Ranges by a solitary point at Highgate Recreation Reserve after Chloe Bown made the distance from a set shot after the siren. It was a fitting end for a comeback at a windy Highgate Recreation Reserve where the Chargers booted the last two goals of the game and threatened to take control after trailing by 13 points at the final change.

Bown – who was clearly best on ground after a 35-disposals, five-tackle, nine-clearance six-inside 50 game – had the set shot from 35m out straight in front, and given her booming kick and the wind, it was always likely to make it. With scores level, all she needed was to put it between the behind posts, and while it did drift off course with the wind late, it was enough to comfortably clear the goalline and register a behind for the win.

It had been a momentum-swinging day with eight of the 10 goals kicked up the one end of the Craigieburn ground, as both sides had similar stats throughout the day. While the Ranges dominated the hitouts (34-18), it was the Chargers who won the clearances 29-20, though nine of those came from Bown. She worked well with the likes of Isabella Mazzei (19 disposals, 11 tackles, four clearances and four rebound 50s) and Teagan Murtic (14 disposals, four clearances) to get on top in that area.

In defence, Vic Metro hub member Chloe Thorn was composed with 20 disposals and six rebound 50s, while up the other end, Bailee Martin became the second player to surpass 10 goals from two matches with another four – as well as three behinds – to bring her total to a league-leading 13. Once again, Amelie Gladman was the only other Chargers goalkicker.

For the Ranges, the usual suspects found plenty of the ball and shared it around with National Academy duo Tayla McMillan (23 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances and seven inside 50s) leading from the front, while Jordyn Allen had 18 touches, five tackles, six inside 50s and four rebound 50s.

Bottom-age prospect Brylee Anderson managed 21 disposals, four marks, five tackles, six inside 50s and four rebound 50s, while ruck/forwards Josephine Bamford and Mackenzie Bourne got first hands to it at the stoppages.

Both sides will take the week off due to Easter, though Bown, McMillan and Allen have a National Academy game coming up over the break. The Chargers have an extended break with a bye in Round 3, while the Ranges take on Western Jets on Saturday, April 26 in their next match.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 1.0 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 5.8 (38)
EASTERN RANGES 3.1 | 4.3 | 5.5 | 5.7 (37)

GOALS:
Oakleigh: B. Martin 4, A. Gladman
Eastern: E. Busch 2, M. Bourne, E. Stilve, L. Williams

RMC BEST:
Oakleigh: C. Bown, B. Martin, C. Thorn, I. Mazzei, M. Phillips
Eastern: T. McMillan, J. Allen, B. Anderson, J. Bamford, M. Bourne

BENDIGO PIONEERS 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 (11)
GWV REBELS 3.2 | 7.5 | 10.5 | 15.11 (101)

IN A NUTSHELL

GWV Rebels kicked away from Bendigo Pioneers in the first of a triple-header at Epsom Huntly Reserve as they piled on the last 13 goals of the day to run away 90-point winners.

KEY PLAYERS

Isabella Davies (GWV) 40 disposals, 6 marks, 10 tackles, 3 clearances, 9 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 4 goals
Maggie Johnstone (GWV) 24 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 2 goals
Milly Shortal (GWV) 19 disposals, 2 tackles, 7 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 goal

Lacey Nihill (Bendigo) 20 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s
Beth Morris (Bendigo) 17 disposals, 8 tackles, 6 clearances
Issy Boulton (Bendigo) 14 disposals, 2 tackles, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal

NEXT ROUND

Bendigo Pioneers vs. Northern Knights @ Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo
GWV Rebels vs. Calder Cannons @ CE Brown Reserve, Ballarat

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 1.0 | 6.0 | 7.2 | 10.4 (64)
GIPPSLAND POWER 3.4 | 3.6 | 6.9 | 7.10 (52)

IN A NUTSHELL

Murray Bushrangers have already surpassed their win total of last year following a second consecutive victory to start the 2025 season thanks to a 12-point triumph over Gippsland Power in a see-sawing clash.

KEY PLAYERS

Rose Bell (Murray) 14 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 3 clearances, 5 goals
Nikhita Spiteri (Murray) 23 disposals, 6 marks, 11 tackles, 4 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Sophia Green (Murray) 21 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 rebound 50s

Lilly Leighton (Gippsland) 23 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals
Abby Hobson (Gippsland) 24 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 4 clearances, 5 inside 50s
Lily Milner (Gippsland) 15 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals

NEXT WEEK

Murray Bushrangers vs. GWS Giants Academy @ Lavington Sports Ground
Gippsland Power have the bye

CALDER CANNONS 3.0 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 6.6 (42)
NORTHERN KNIGHTS 1.2 | 2.7 | 4.12 | 7.13 (55)

IN A NUTSHELL

Northern Knights booted five goals to two to sink Calder Cannons at Highgate Recreation Reserve and bounce back from an opening round defeat despite some inaccuracy in challenging conditions.

KEY PLAYERS

Alli Allen (Northern) 20 disposals, 8 marks, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal
Olivia Gorman (Northern) 24 disposals, 2 marks, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal
Scarlett Johnson (25 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Chloe Baker-West (Calder) 31 disposals, 9 marks, 7 clearances, 6 rebound 50s, 2 goals
Shauna McElligott (Calder) 23 disposals, 10 marks, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Taylah Gilcrist (Calder) 23 disposals, 5 marks, 8 rebound 50s

NEXT WEEK

Northern Knights vs. Bendigo Pioneers @ Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo
Calder Cannons vs. GWV Rebels @ CE Brown Reserve, Ballarat

GEELONG FALCONS 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 (0)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 4.7 | 6.9 | 10.13 | 14.19 (103)

IN A NUTSHELL

In the battle between last year’s losing preliminary finalists, Dandenong Stingrays made it two consecutive 100-point beltings with a 103-0 win over the Geelong Falcons, producing 57 more inside 50s (64-7) and 135 more disposals (316-181) while somehow laying 18 more tackles (90-72).

KEY PLAYERS

Evelyn Connolly (Dandenong) 18 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 6 goals
Tahlia Sanger (Dandenong) 25 disposals, 4 marks, 14 tackles, 3 clearances, 7 inside 50s
Alice Cunnington (Dandenong) 22 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 3 goals

Stella Huxtable (Geelong) 19 disposals, 7 tackles, 4 clearances, 4 rebound 50s
Ava Bilyk (Geelong) 18 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 3 rebound 50s
Georgia Tyrrell (Geelong) 15 disposals, 7 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 rebound 50s

NEXT WEEK

Dandenong Stingrays vs. Gold Coast Suns Academy @ Austworld Centre Oval, Gold Coast
Geelong Falcons vs. Brisbane Lions Academy @ Brighton Homes Arena, Ipswich

WESTERN JETS 1.0 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 6.3 (39)
SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS 3.5 | 6.7 | 8.15 | 9.15 (69)

IN A NUTSHELL

Sandringham Dragons held Western Jets at bay to secure a five-goal win off the back of a comprehensive midfield display where the former had 31 more hitouts (49-18) and 11 more clearances (31-20).

KEY PLAYERS

Sienna Sharp (Sandringham) 34 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 6 hitouts, 3 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal
Macy Watkins (Sandringham) 29 disposals, 2 marks, 9 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s
Chloe Williams (Sandringham) 18 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals

Hannah Brodie (Western) 22 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 4 clearances, 5 inside 50s
Alex McBride-Loane (Western) 19 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 10 hitouts, 3 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s, 1 goal
Mira Diab (Western) 13 disposals, 2 marks, 3 inside 50s, 3 goals

NEXT WEEK

Sandringham Dragons have the bye.
Western Jets vs. Eastern Ranges @ DSV Stadium, Williamstown