A MASSIVE weekend of eight games takes place across the Coates Talent League Girls competition, with the four Queensland and New South Wales Academies in action once more. We take a look at the Suns Academy hosting Oakleigh Chargers as our feature game of the weekend.

NEED TO KNOW

WHEN: Sunday May 11, 10:00am
WHERE: People First Stadium
WATCH: Live stream via Coates Talent League app

IN A NUTSHELL

Reigning two-time Coates Talent League Girls premier Oakleigh Chargers makes the trip north to tackle the stacked Gold Coast Suns Academy at People First Stadium on Sunday. Never mind the Suns have lost their first two matches, with Gold Coast playing two of the top three sides in the competition, and now complete that trio with Oakleigh this weekend. The Chargers are undefeated and hungry to reverse the result of 12 months ago where they had a rare loss.

TEAMS

Gold Coast Suns Academy:

B: 5. Heidi Grimster – 29. Lilly-Ann Ryder – 3. Jesse Sewell
HB: 14. Alicia Gordon – 19. Stephanie Aguinaldo – 13. Rhianna Ingram
W: 23. Mikayla Nurse – 12. Sienna Burnham – 7. Jessica McLean
HF: 28. Summer Browning – 4. Aleah Stringer – 20. Alannah Welsh
F: 18. Tara Nieass – 32. Millar Brosnan-Ball – 2. Amelia Ella
R: 31. Georja Davies – 11. Annabelle Foat – 6. Sunny Lappin
INT: 8. Natalie Whatman – 15. Chloe Smith – 35. Ellie Da Ros – Lily Moana – 1. Scarlett Featherstone

Oakleigh Chargers:

B: 14. Chloe Potts – 4. Zara Neuwirth – 10. Eliza Klein
HB: 2. Chloe Thorn – 34. Tatyana Perry – 7. Emily Rundle
C: 6. Leni Lockyer – 11. Isabella Mazzei – 5. Isabelle Godfrey
HF: 27. Poppy Lawrance – 21. Amelia Gladman – 44. Molly Phillips
F: 33. Storm Johnson – 18. Bailee Martin – 32. Scarlett Bown
R: 40. Jessica Owen – 9. Chloe Bown – 26. Teagan Murtic
INT: 15. Lara Brown – 50. Cleo Barbakas – 23. Ava Philpin – 13. Zoe Curry – 30. Grace Sharkie

ONES TO WATCH

Gold Coast Suns Academy are still without top stars Ava Usher and Dekota Baron for the clash, and have now lost key midfielder Bronte Parker who went down early in the second term of the Suns’ loss to Eastern Ranges. It gives an opportunity for Sunny Lappin to spend more time on the inside, while the outside work of Mikayla Nurse, Summer Browning and Aleah Stringer was impressive in defeat.

The key will be trying to contain the likes of Bailee Martin and Chloe Bown who have been in remarkable form. Martin has slotted 20 goals in three games and is coming off a seven-goal haul against Calder Cannons last week, while Bown continues to rack up the ball at will and impact games with her booming kick going forward. She will likely go head-to-head with Georja Davies or Annabelle Foat throughout the contest, though it will be intriguing to see which Sun goes to Martin.

In addition to those Chargers, Chloe Thorn is a talented two-way defender and could go head-to-head with the equally versatile Alannah Welsh who booted three goals in the Suns last match. Fascinatingly, Zoe Curry – who represented the Giants Academy last week – will head to sunny Queensland with the Chargers instead of the Apple Isle where the Giants take on Tasmania.

Molly Phillips and Scarlett Bown provide great run and carry as well, while Rhianna Ingram has been in consistent form from defence for the Suns, and Gold Coast’s Under 16s MVP Lily Moana makes her debut in front of a home crowd.

PREDICTION

The depth of Gold Coast Suns Academy will be put to the test in this one, given they were already missing two top five players from the AFLW Draft, and now are without the hard-nosed Parker as well. At full availability one would imagine they might get the job done, and they will always be competitive, but the Chargers are closer to full strength and are yet to drop a game.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

For the second straight week, Tasmania Devils open the round with an early morning game, welcoming the GWS Giants Academy to town down at Twin Ovals after playing up at UTAS Stadium against Brisbane in Round 4. Though the Devils are 0-2 and the Giants are 2-0, it feels as though this is a very winnable game for the home side.

They were competitive against the Lions, so it should come down to the wire. Matilda Lange had a terrific debut last round, and if she, Priya Bowering and Mischa Barwin can fire, watch out. Has the potential to be the closest game of the weekend though.Sophia Gaukrodger and Majella Day are threats up forward for the Giants.

Calder Cannons have a good chance of snapping a three-game losing streak against the Bendigo Pioneers up at Queen Elizabeth Oval, with the home side yet to register a win. Chloe Baker-West has been in typical form for her, racking up the ball and impacting all over the ground. Under 16s forward Holly Clough gets her opportunity coming into the side, one of a number of double-bottom-agers across both sides. Ava Bibby is one who can really take control through the ruck and up forward, while Issy Boulton has played across all three lines.

A cracker of a contest up north, Eastern Ranges will look to add another victory to their season when they tackle Brisbane Lions Academy at Sandgate. The Ranges accounted for the Suns Academy in Round 4 to move to 3-1 on the season, while the Lions are 2-0. Brisbane faces its biggest challenge here though, and the midfield depth of the Ranges is key.

Zoe Vozzo makes her return after missing last week, while Tayla McMillan and Brylee Anderson will bring a mix of defensive and offensive pressure. Indiana Scheffler gets her chance from the Under 16s joining Edie Fraser inside 50, while Harlee McIlwain is a highly talented bottom-ager who can inflict maximum damage.

Sydney Swans Academy has loaded up on a host of over-age prospects for the clash against GWV Rebels at Highgate Recreation Reserve. Allies representatives Emma Juneja, Ellie Veerhuis, Taylor Smith and Lauren Bull all make their return for the red and whites, with the GWV top-end talent of Maggie Johnstone, Jovie Skewes-Clinton, Isabella Davies all in great form, though Milly Shortal will miss the clash.

The red-hot Dandenong Stingrays play host to Sandringham Dragons at Shepley Oval as the Stingrays look to remain undefeated in season 2025. They are coming off a bye in Round 4 after surging past the Suns Academy and having two 100-point wins in the first fortnight. They should be too strong for the Dragons who were competitive for a half against the Giants Academy, but the Stingrays have no shortage of depth.

National Academy member Mizuki Brothwell has been named in the centre, while sister Nalu and fellow forward Evelyn Connolly will spearhead the attack. Alice Cunnington is another threat down there with the bottom-ager capable of pushing up the field as well. For the Dragons, Macy Watkins has been in great form, while Sienna Sharp and Maya Duane loom as marking targets.

Turning the attention to Sunday and the Northern Knights play host to Murray Bushrangers at Preston City Oval. The Knights are playing some great footy and only went down to a Bailee Martin-inspired Oakleigh outfit. Murray won its first two matches before losing to the Giants Academy in its last encounter. Rose Bell is a huge threat up forward for the visitors, while Nikhita Spiteri and Rain Dodd should have a great battle with Marlo Graham and Olivia Gorman.

Meanwhile rounding out the weekend, Geelong Falcons or Gippsland Power will look to make it two in a row in Werribee after both had big wins last weekend. The Power found their groove with the likes of Ava Deszcz (five goals) and Abby Hobson (two) both starring up forward. Geelong’s midfield trio of Stella Huxtable, Georgia Tyrrell and Ava Bilyk – who can also play at either end – have been the key players for the Falcons.

ROUND 5 FIXTURE

Tips in Bold.

Saturday, May 10:

Tasmania Devils vs. GWS Giants Academy
Twin Ovals | 9:30am

Bendigo Pioneers vs. Calder Cannons
Queen Elizabeth Oval | 11:00am

Brisbane Lions Academy vs. Eastern Ranges
Sandgate Hawks AFC | 11:00am

GWV Rebels vs. Sydney Swans Academy
Highgate Recreation Reserve | 11:00am

Dandenong Stingrays vs. Sandringham Dragons
Shepley Oval | 11:30am

Sunday, May 11:

Gold Coast Suns Academy vs. Oakleigh Chargers
People First Stadium | 10:00am

Northern Knights vs. Murray Bushrangers
Preston City Oval | 12:00pm

Geelong Falcons vs. Gippsland Power
Avalon Airport Oval | 1:30pm

Bye: Western Jets

Season Tips: 19/26