TASMANIA Devils will look to bounce back after their first game loss to Sydney Swans Academy when they welcome the Brisbane Lions Academy tomorrow morning in the first game of the Coates Talent League Girls Round 4.

NEED TO KNOW

WHEN: Sunday May 4, 9:30am
WHERE: UTAS Stadium
WATCH: Live stream via Coates Talent League app

IN A NUTSHELL

These two sides played their first Coates Talent League Girls matches of the season last week with the Devils going down to Sydney Swans Academy on the road, while the Brisbane Lions Academy had a big win over Geelong Falcons. The Devils are expected to settle much better this week, though the Lions are a tough proposition.

TEAMS

TASMANIA DEVILS
1. Mischa Barwin
3. Asha Newnham
4. Ava Read
5. Ruby Hall
7. Evie Bingham
8. Grace Weldon
9. Mia Anderson
10. Annabella Burt
11. Lucah Conkie
12. Lacey Tilyard
13. Lucy Thompson
14. Taia Lette
15. Priya Bowering (c)
16. Evie Ward
18. Eliza Wylie
22. Matilda Lange
26. Harriet Bingley
31. Amber Bumford
32. Maddison Hardy
33. Tayla Hoiberg-Cox
34. Lily McConnon
38. Amarli Johnson
39. Jorja Haberle
Arielle Cannell (emg)
Mia Aylett (emg)
Lelanni Kikoak (emg)

BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY
1. Ameleia Murray
2. Jules Martin
4. Zoe Petrides
7. Maya Bovalino
8. Molly Ferguson
11. Sienna Wilson
12. Stella Scott
13. Jemma Foley
14. Kaiya Hides
15. Sophie Schulze
17. Annabel Peacock
18. Freya Ross
19. Mia Geere
20. Neva Bell
22. Francesca Davy
23. Ayla Airdrie
24. Edie Fraser
25. Harlee McIlwain
26. Aiyana Pritchard
27. Isabella McDonough
28. Niamh McCarthy
30. Jade Brazier
31. Ella Gibson

ONES TO WATCH

What the Devils do with Priya Bowering this week is a fascinating one, spending more time forward last week but dominating the centre clearances when returning on-ball. She might have a more even split in Round 4, though the Devils still controlled that area with Mischa Barwin adding class to the grunt work of Mia Anderson and Harriet Bingley. However the big debut is that of Under 16s MVP and future star Matilda Lange who is coming off a 39-disposal performance at senior level on the Apple Isle.

While Tasmania’s midfield is its strength, the Lions showed they can compete well in there too with Molly Ferguson and Stella Scott finding plenty of the ball. The one-two punch of Harlee McIlwain (five goals) and Edie Fraser (two) were brilliant against the Falcons. One player who has enormous talent but was perhaps a touch quieter in Round 3 is Mia Geere, while Under 16s All-Australian with Fraser, Ameleia Murray was superb on debut,

Over-age tall Ava Read showed she can play in defence and then swing forward without any adapting needed, while Lucah Conkie and bottom-age pair Evie Bingham and Evie Ward are a few more names to remember. For the Lions, over-age pair Isabella McDonough and Kaiya Hides have had AFLW interest in the past, with top-ager Jemma Foley a promising player for the Lions as well.

PREDICTION

A fascinating clash which will come down to whether or not the Devils can make the most of their strong on-ball group. They will likely win the clearances, but need to capitalise on the scoreboard and just lacked that tall forward which was offered by Read in the final term in Round 3. Brisbane had no such problem with its potency forward, so if the Lions get enough chances they should be too strong.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The other Queensland Academy hits the road when the Gold Coast Suns arrive in Box Hill to face the red-hot Ranges. The Suns went down to Dandenong last week in a thriller and now tackle a Ranges side that is arguably stronger on paper. Still missing the likes of Ava Usher and Dekota Baron, the Suns will need to win the midfield through the likes of Georja Davies, Bronte Parker and Annabelle Foat, with Ranges such as Brylee Anderson, Emily Rankin and Scout Semple supporting the top-age stars in there.

At Craigieburn the unbeaten Oakleigh Chargers return off a break to tackle Calder Cannons. Chloe Bown and Bailee Martin are among the most in-form players in the competition, while for the Cannons, Chloe Baker-West is averaging 35 touches per game in the absence of fellow National Academy member Jade McLay. Shauna McElligott has shown some of her potential this season as well.

Bendigo Pioneers have struggled in first halves against opposition this season so will be looking for a strong start against a Falcons side that has been well beaten the past two rounds since a good win in the opening week. The Pioneers are without the injured Olivia Lacy, though the Under 16s crop of Sage Dennis, Jordan O’Bree and Rania Jackson-Leahy are adapting to Under 18s level early in their junior career.

GWV Rebels have found their best form the last two rounds, albeit against a couple of teams that have struggled thus far. With the likes of Jovie Skewes-Clinton and Maggie Johnstone starring, the Rebels are always a threat especially at home, and did surprise the Knights in this corresponding game 12 months ago. Northern’s depth is hard to match though and watch for Marlo Graham, Olivia Gorman and Olivia Jesser to be among those to impact forward of centre as well as around the stoppages.

Neither of these sides has won in season 2025 yet, but that is set to change with Western Jets hosting Gippsland Power in Williamstown. The Jets are coming off a stinging 125-point loss to Eastern Ranges, though Gippsland copped a similar defeat to Dandenong in Round 1 and then showed more promising efforts against Murray in Round 2. Coming off a bye, it is time for Ella Stoddart and Abby Hobson to take control, while skipper Rebecca Fitzpatrick noticeably made her side better against the Bushies. Alex McBride-Loane has been the clear standout Jet, while Addison West has had exciting moments.

Completing Round 4 sees a refreshed Sandringham Dragons outfit looking to make it back-to-back wins after a Round 3 bye when they host GWS Giants Academy at Moorabbin. The Giants were too good for the Bushrangers with their defence shutting out Murray’s famed attack, while Majella Day kicked five goals in that victory. Amelie Prosser-Shaw and Ellie Hall go up against their former Giants teammate Ash Patton, while the Dragons pair of Sienna Sharp and Chloe Williams were fantastic in the Round 2 victory. Watch for debutant Maya Duane who looms as a star of the future.

ROUND 4 FIXTURE

Tips in Bold.

Sunday, May 4:

Tasmania Devils vs. Brisbane Lions Academy
UTAS Stadium | 9:30am

Calder Cannons vs. Oakleigh Chargers
Highgate Recreation Reserve | 10:00am

Eastern Ranges vs. Gold Coast Suns Academy
Box Hill City Oval | 10:45am

Bendigo Pioneers vs. Geelong Falcons
Queen Elizabeth Oval | 11:00am

GWV Rebels vs. Northern Knights
Mars Stadium | 11:00am

Western Jets vs. Gippsland Power
DSV Stadium | 12:00pm

Sandringham Dragons vs. GWS Giants Academy
RSEA Park | 1:30pm

Bye:

Season Tips: 12/19