FIVE fresh sides enter the Coates Talent League Girls competition in Round 3 with Tasmania Devils coming off an extended break, and the four Queensland and New South Wales Academies. In this specific article we take a look at the Anzac Day clash between the Devils and Sydney Swans Academy.

A secondary preview will look at the remaining matches once teams are released for the other seven games.

NEED TO KNOW

WHEN: Friday, April 25, 11:00am
WHERE: Blacktown International Sportspark
WATCH: Live stream via Coates Talent League app

IN A NUTSHELL

The clash is an Anzac Day standalone battle which sees both sides playing their first games of the Coates Talent League Girls season. Neither team is underdone though, having represented their sides in various exhibition clashes of late, and plenty of football under their belts. Tasmania will go on to play 13 games in thee season, while the Swans play the first of four matches in the lead-up to Allies selection.

TEAMS

Sydney Swans Academy:

B: 20. Eliza McLeod – 26. Taya White – 22. Gabriela Waechter
HB: 1. Charlotte Tidemann – 33. Grace Tracey – 29. Lauren Bull
C: 2. Evie Bowie – 7. Molly Thomas – 5. Stephanie Wilkins
HF: 17. Cassidy McArthur – 24. Alex Neyland – 11. Emma Haley
F: 9. Lucinda Watson – 9. Grace Parsons – 4. Lila Micheletti
R: 32. Madeleine Quinn (c) – 10. Lucy Yates – 16. Kiera Yerbury
INT: 3. Frances Walsh – 13. Mahlia Pollington – 14. Heidi de Saxe – 15. Bonnie Swan – 27. Amaia Wain

Tasmania Devils:

B: 33. Tayla Hoiberg-Cox – 34. Lily McConnon – 18. Eliza Wylie
HB: 11. Lucah Conkie – 4. Ava Read – 13. Lucy Thompson
C: 8. Grace Weldon – 1. Mischa Barwin – 12. Lacey Tilyard
HF: 7. Evie Bingham – 39. Jorja Haberle – 30. Olivia Pringle
F: 3. Asha Newnham – 15. Priya Bowering (c) – 31. Amber Bumford
R: 14. Taia Lette – 26. Harriet Bingley – 9. Mia Anderson
INT: 5. Ruby Hall – 10. Annabella Burt – 16. Evie Ward – 32. Maddison Hardy – 38. Amarli Johnson

ONES TO WATCH

Fresh off the National Academy’s win over the All Stars, Tasmanian duo Priya Bowering and Mischa Barwin will be looking to shark – rather than be fed – the taps from Swans Academy skipper Madeleine Quinn at centre bounces as the teammates become opponents just five days apart. Bowering has actually been named at full-forward and will lead the Devils this season, with Barwin starting in the centre.

Both sides are known for their contested ball-winning midfielders and for the Devils, bigger-bodied Harriet Bingley and inside exponent Mia Anderson will go head-to-head with ball magnet Lucy Yates and the eye-catching Kiera Yerbury. Left-footed Molly Thomas adds that touch of class to the midfield and will be crucial for the Swans Academy.

The big threats stand up forward with athletic forwards Alex Neyland and Grace Parsons relatively unknown to their opponents, but pose a danger with their aerial ability, mobility and long-range goalkicking. Over-age Devil Ava Read is no stranger to kicking goals though has interestingly been named at half-back alongside fellow 2006-born prospect Lucy Thompson.

Also keep an eye out for the explosive Lucah Conkie off half-back, while the youngsters in Evie Bingham and Evie Ward are promising talents from the Apple Isle. The pick of the bottom-agers on the field is definitely Charlotte Tidemann however, with the incredibly explosive half-back able to break down opposition defences with her run and carry. She is in defence with a couple of over-age players in Taya White and Lauren Bull, while Lucinda Watson up forward is another to watch.

PREDICTION

A really fascinating battle that could go either way. The homeground advantage leans towards the Swans, but after a busy schedule, they are without the likes of over-age trio Emma Juneja, Ellie Veerhuis and Ella Parker. With Tasmanian fit and ready to go, we’ll opt for the Devils by a few points, though could very easily lean towards the home team given how much of a thriller their corresponding clash was last year.

ROUND 3 FIXTURE

Tips in Bold.

Friday, April 25:

Sydney Swans Academy vs. Tasmania Devils
Blacktown International Sportspark | 11:00am

Saturday, April 26:

Gold Coast Suns Academy vs. Dandenong Stingrays
Austworld Centre Oval, Gold Coast | 11:00am

GWV Rebels vs. Calder Cannons
CE Brown Reserve, Ballarat | 11:00am

Murray Bushrangers vs. GWS Giants Academy
Lavington Sports Ground, Lavington | 11:00am

Bendigo Pioneers vs. Northern Knights
Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo | 12:00pm

Western Jets vs. Eastern Ranges
DSV Stadium, Williamstown | 1:00pm

Sunday, April 27:

Brisbane Lions Academy vs. Geelong Falcons
Brighton Homes Arena, Ipswich | 10:00am

Bye: Gippsland Power

Season Tips: 9/12