SYDNEY Swans Academy will finish off its Coates Talent League Girls campaign against the unbeaten reigning back-to-back premiers in Oakleigh Chargers as the AFL-club aligned side is the last of the four on the eastern seaboard to wrap up proceedings. We preview the massive contest and cast our eyes over the other four Round 8 matches.

NEED TO KNOW

WHEN: Saturday May 31, 11:00am
WHERE: Warrawee Park
WATCH: Live stream via Coates Talent League app

IN A NUTSHELL

Oakleigh Chargers enter Round 8 coming off wins against the Suns Academy and Lions Academy, with the Swans next up on their hit list. The Swans won their opening two matches coming into the competition, but were halted by an impressive Eastern Ranges outfit. It looms as another big task for the Northern Academy side given Oakleigh narrowly got past the Ranges as well, albeit in a hard-fought come-from-behind victory.

TEAMS

Oakleigh Chargers:

B: #10 Eliza Klein – #4 Zara Neuwirth – #14 Chloe Potts
HB: #7 Emily Rundle – #16 Charlee Johnson – #2 Chloe Thorn
C: #5 Isabelle Godfrey – #11 Isabella Mazzei – #6 Leni Lockyer
HF: #46 Molly Phillips – #21 Amelie Gladman – #27 Poppy Lawrance
F: #32 Scarlett Bown – #18 Bailee Martin – #33 Storm Johnson
R: #40 Jessica Owen – #9 Chloe Bown – #26 Teagan Murtic
INT: #1 Grace To – #13 Zoe Curry – #15 Lara Brown – #23 Ava Philpin – #50 Cleo Barbakas

Sydney Swans Academy:

B: #20 Eliza McLeod – #18 Ashleigh Barlow – #33 Grace Tracey
HB: #21 Ellie Veerhuis – #26 Taya White – #1 Charlotte Tidemann
C: #12 Emma Juneja – #7 Molly Thomas – #5 Stephanie Wilkins
HF: #25 Ava Horneman – #24 Alex Neyland – #6 Taylor Smith
F: #4 Lila Micheletti – #8 Grace Parsons – #11 Emma Haley
R: 32 Madeleine Quinn – #9 Lucinda Watson – #16 Kiera Yerbury
INT: #3 Frances Walsh – #10 Lucy Yates – #17 Cassidy McArthur – #27 Amaia Wain – #31 Ayla Flynn

ONES TO WATCH

The Oakleigh midfield is firing on all cylinders at the moment and will look to get on top of the Swans in that regard similar to the Ranges. Top draft prospect Chloe Bown is on another level at the moment with her form and she will lead a couple of clean ball-winners who will get first hands to it in Zoe Curry, Teagan Murtic and Isabella Mazzei.

It helps that competition leading goalkicker Bailee Martin – who is breaking all sorts of records in front of the big sticks – is the Chargers’ main target up front, though Bown’s younger sister Scarlett and over-age forward Amelie Gladman have also shown to hit the big sticks consistently. Down back, Chloe Thorn will create run and carry, and between her and Collingwood father-daughter prospect Leni Lockyer, use the ball well in transition.

Key defender Zara Neuwirth will have a big job on either Grace Parsons or Alex Neyland, while the Swans will utilise the run of Emma Juneja and Ellie Veerhuis from behind the ball, with the over-age duo support the smarts and skills of Charlotte Tidemann who can break lines and pinpoint targets down the field.

The area where the Swans will have advantage is in the ruck with National Academy member Madeleine Quinn set to have an athletic advantage in the role, while the explosive Kiera Yerbury and smooth-moving Molly Thomas look to get on top in there. Frances Walsh found plenty of it last time out against the Ranges, and linked up well through the middle as did Stephie Wilkins and Lucinda Watson.

PREDICTION

It is hard to look past Oakleigh who has brought a full strength side to the home clash against the Swans, and though the Warrawee Oval ground is one where the Swans can move the ball quickly pinging end-to-end, the Chargers know it very well. Expect it to be within a few goals but the reigning back-to-back premiers to get up.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The best kind of wake up calls are those where you still win despite the opposition team being on top. Dandenong Stingrays were fighting for life at times against a red-hot Sandringham side that stepped up for the clash last time out and now the Stingrays will look to get back to what they do best against a winless Tasmania in the Devils’ first trip to Victoria for the year.

National Academy member Mizuki Brothwell has been named in the centre for the clash with a huge contest against Under 16s star Matilda Lange, while the other midfield battle that could take place is between Lillian Snow and Priya Bowering.

In the other Saturday match, Eastern Ranges continues to tick plenty of boxes each week and will be expected to account for a Calder Cannons side that is minus Jade McLay for the rest of the season, though Chloe Baker-West is in incredible form. Likewise, Shauna McElligott is playing well, though the Cannons come up against a deep midfield that is minus its two National Academy members, but still has bottom-age stars Emily Rankin and Brylee Anderson.

Northern Territory will have the quick turnaround from last night’s loss to Sandringham Dragons when it takes on Murray Bushrangers on Sunday. Tatyana Perry caught the eye from the back half of the ground alongside National Academy tall Danika McDonald, while Peggy Rock is an aggressive player between midfield and attack. Rose Bell has found the goals plenty this season but has been named in defence with the return of Majella Day from her Giants Academy duties and also finding the big sticks.

Wrapping up Round 8 sees a rejuvenated Gippsland Power outfit that has now strung together three on the trot and looks likely to make it win number four against a winless Bendigo Pioneers outfit. Ella Stoddart is hitting her straps for the Power, with Abby Hobson a marking force in attack. The likes of Issy Boulton and Ava Bibby have been in the best for the Pioneers this season.

ROUND 8 FIXTURE

Tips in Bold.

Saturday, May 31:

Oakleigh Chargers vs. Sydney Swans Academy
Warrawee Park | 11:00am

Dandenong Stingrays vs. Tasmania Devils
Shepley Oval | 1:30pm

Calder Cannons vs. Eastern Ranges
Highgate Recreation Reserve | 1:30pm

Sunday, May 18:

Murray Bushrangers vs. Northern Territory
La Trobe University | 11:30am

Gippsland Power vs. Bendigo Pioneers
Windy Hill | 1:30pm

Bye: Geelong Falcons, GWV Rebels, Northern Knights, Sandringham Dragons, Western Jets

Season Tips: 32/37