MURRAY Bushrangers got back on the winner’s list with an impressive victory over Northern Territory, handing the Thunder a second loss in four days. The Coates Talent League Girls competition returned to five matches over Round 8 and we recap how each of them went down.

Murray Bushrangers bounced back from an eight-goal loss to Sandringham Dragons in Round 6 with a strong 27-point victory over the visiting Northern Territory Academy. Regaining their Giants Academy members such as Majella Day and Ellie Hall, Murray took an early advantage and despite the Territory able to regain some ascendancy with the breeze, ultimately went down due to the Bushies capitalising with the same breeze.

Eight of the 10 goals were kicked down the one end at La Trobe University in Bundoora, with the Bushrangers kicking the only two majors of the first term. The Territory reduced the damage in the second, but the the work of Day and Rose Bell – who combined for six of their side’s seven majors in the match – put the visitors to the sword during the 7.10 (52) to 3.7 (25) win.

Statistically it was a fairly even contest around the ball with Northern Territory actually winning both the hitouts (37-27) and clearances (27-24). The problem was from there getting the ball inside 50 which the Thunder simply could not do, only managing 19 entries across the match, though scoring at above 50 per cent when they did with 10 scoring shots. The weight of numbers won out in the end of the Bushrangers with 17 scores from 42 entries, and though Bell (2.4) and Skylah McPherson (0.2) missed some opportunities, both were among the better players for the winners.

Day lead the way with accuracy, slotting four straight from 15 disposals, three marks, five clearances and three inside 50s, getting involved at stoppages in the forward half. Bell also had 16 touches and three marks to form a formidable partnership with Day, as the pair both continued their wonderful seasons with 15 and 18 goals respectively.

Through midfield, Rain Dodd was everywhere early and finished with a match-high 32 touches, feeding the ball out to her teammates from the coalface with consistency. The returning Hall (27 disposals, five marks, seven tackles, six inside 50s and three rebound 50s) once again rotated between midfield and defence, while McPherson and Hayley Whitsed provided speed in transition. Under 16s guns Evie Henley and Charlie Gibson also showed they will be names to watch over the coming years, while draft-eligible Nikhita Spiteri and Madison Ibrahim were others who stood out for the Bushies.

Playing the anchor role in the back 50, Danika McDonald racked up 21 disposals, five marks and 10 rebound 50s, working hard with over-age talent Tatyana Perry (11 disposals, five tackles and five rebound 50s) from defence. Skipper Taelah Smith and Under 16s jet Peggy Rock were fierce around the coalface as the speedy duo of Layla May and Marika Carlton also stood out. After hte side went goalless against the Dragons, Bonnie Brown booted two goals and Jorja Davey – niece of Aaron and Alwyn Sr – slotted one classy attempt.

Northern Territory still have one game remaining in its campaign, taking on Calder Cannons up in Darwin on Saturday, June 14 at TIO Stadium. The match will mark the Thunder’s first ever home game in the Coates Talent League Girls competition, while for the Bushrangers, they have a six-day turnaround before heading to Dial Park in Tasmania to take on the Devils at 9:10am on Saturday.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 2.4 | 3.7 | 7.10 | 7.10 (52)
NORTHERN TERRITORY 0.1 | 1.3 | 2.4 | 3.7 (25)

GOALS:
Murray Bushrangers: M. Day 4, R. Bell 2, E. Roche
Northern Territory: B. Brown, J. Davey

RMC BEST:
Murray Bushrangers: R. Dodd, E. Hall, M. Day, S. McPherson, H. Whitsed
Northern Territory: D. McDonald, P. Rock, T. Smith, L. May, T. Perry

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 0.0 | 3.2 | 6.3 | 10.3 (63)
SWANS ACADEMY 1.3 | 2.4 | 4.6 | 7.7 (49)

IN A NUTSHELL

Despite a late fightback from the Swans Academy at several points – and even leading at quarter time – Oakleigh Chargers produced an industrious performance to tick off another win and remain undefeated in the 2025 Coates Talent League Girls season.

KEY PLAYERS

Oakleigh Chargers

Chloe Bown – 33 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Cleo Barbakas – 18 disposals, 5 tackles, 13 hitouts, 8 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Zoe Curry – 17 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Swans Academy

Kiera Yerbury – 34 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 6 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 goal
Charlotte Tidemann – 19 disposals, 2 marks, 2 clearances, 6 rebound 50s
Alex Neyland – 17 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

NEXT ROUND

Oakleigh Chargers vs. Dandenong Stingrays | Sat June 14, 4:00pm @ Kinetic Stadium, Frankston
Swans Academy have finished their Coates Talent League Girls season.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS 2.2 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 7.4 (46)
TASMANIA DEVILS 1.1 | 5.1 | 7.3 | 7.5 (47)

IN A NUTSHELL

Dandenong Stingrays’ unbeaten run came to an end despite charging home late against Tasmania Devils at Shepley Oval, hitting the front in the last few minutes before the Devils were able to kick a couple of behinds and secure the win, their first of the 2025 season.

KEY PLAYERS

Dandenong Stingrays

Matilda Argus – 27 disposals, 3 marks, 11 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 8 rebound 50s
Lillian Snow – 17 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal
Evelyn Connolly – 16 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 goals

Tasmania Devils

Matilda Lange – 27 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Mischa Barwin – 24 disposals, 6 marks, 7 tackles, 3 clearances, 6 inside 50s
Priya Bowering – 24 disposals, 4 marks, 8tackles, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

NEXT ROUND

Dandenong Stingrays vs. Bendigo Pioneers | Sat Jun 7, 12:00pm @ Queen Elizabeth Oval
Tasmania Devils vs. Murray Bushrangers | Sat Jun 7, 9:10am @ Dial Park

CALDER CANNONS 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 2.1 (13)
EASTERN RANGES 4.2 | 8.4 | 11.8 | 16.12 (108)

IN A NUTSHELL

Aside from back-to-back goals in quick succession for the Calder Cannons in the last quarter, Eastern Ranges took complete control of their match at Highgate Recreation Reserve, piling on 28 scoring shots and coming away with the 95-point victory.

KEY PLAYERS

Calder Cannons

Shauna McElligott – 21 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s
Felicity Mahoney – 21 disposals, 6 marks, 3 rebound 50s
Chloe Baker-West – 15 disposals, 4 marks, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

Eastern Ranges

Brylee Anderson – 30 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 goals, 2 behinds
Emily Rankin – 30 disposals, 11 tackles, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s
Zoe Wilkinson – 23 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

NEXT ROUND

Calder Cannons vs. Geelong Falcons | Sat Jun 7, 11:30am @ Leopold Memorial Reserve
Eastern Ranges vs. Geelong Falcons | Sun, Jun 15, 2:00pm @ Healesville Sports Complex

GIPPSLAND POWER 1.2 | 2.5 | 4.8 | 8.10 (58)
BENDIGO PIONEERS 1.2 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 2.6 (18)

IN A NUTSHELL

Gippsland Power sowed plenty of mettle during a hard-fought win over Bendigo Pioneers, losing several key players to injury during the match and soldering on to boot six goals to nil in the second half and come away with the 40-point victory.

KEY PLAYERS

Gippsland Power

Grace Dillow – 23 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 5 inside 50s
Lily Milner – 20 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal
Baia Pugh – 20 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

Bendigo Pioneers

Issy Boulton – 34 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 4 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 7 rebound 50s
Lacey Nihill – 23 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s
Ella Jeffrey – 17 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 4 clearances, 5 rebound 50s

NEXT ROUND

Gippsland Power vs. Northern Knights | Sat Jun 7, 12:00pm @ Genis Steel Oval
Bendigo Pioneers vs. Dandenong Stingrays | Sat Jun 7, 12:00pm @ Queen Elizabeth Oval