TASMANIA Devils made it back-to-back victories with a hard-fought win over Murray Bushrangers on the Apple Isle, as Western Jets grabbed their first victory of the season, and a trio of Country sides in Geelong Falcons, Dandenong Stingrays and Gippsland Power all picked up four points in Round 9 of the Coates Talent League Girls competition.

In some of the worst conditions anyone could expect for football, Tasmania Devils sloshed their way around Dial Park to grind out a 5.6 (36) to 1.2 (8) win over Murray Bushrangers. The Devils were coming off their first victory of the year last week against Dandenong Stingrays, while the Bushrangers also had a nice big win over Northern Territory.

Coming into the match, the Devils were missing its top-end stars of Priya Bowering and Mischa Barwin, Under 16s jet Matilda Lange and the versatile Harriet Bingley among others, but really showed their depth against the Bushrangers who boasted more experience and plenty of talent themselves. However the conditions suited the Devils as they overcame a clearance differential of (26-34) to lead all the way from once they hit the front four minutes into the match.

Damaging goalkicker Majella Day responded to Stevie-Lee Johns‘ first term major to cut the deficit to one point not long before the break, but Jorja Haberle took it upon herself for the immediate response. Over the next three quarters it was something of a waterpark as torrential rain, mixed with the already muddy and slippery conditions under foot made clean football a near impossibility.

Unsurprisingly it was the likes of Nikhita Spiteri and Rain Dodd who thrived in the wet weather, doing all they could to get their side on top. Though it was the even approach for the Devils with the normally undersized ruck of Taia Lette racking up 33 hitouts and five clearances, getting first hands to it with the Devils’ sole first-choice midfielder Mia Anderson also collecting five clearances for her troubles and kicking a nice long-range goal.

Given the experience lost through the aforementioned outs, it was Ava Read whose transition into a defender continued, racking up 27 disposals, four marks, three clearances, four inside 50s and nine rebound 50s, while also taking a turn in the ruck and being able to look dangerous up the ground as well. When goals were gold, Johns kicked a couple – the only major goalkicker for the game, while Haberle was strong through the four quarters with 21 touches, seven tackles, two clearances and two inside 50s.

For the Bushrangers, Spiteri (27 disposals, two marks, 10 tackles, four clearances, four inside 50s and two rebound 50s) was a clear standout, while Dodd (18 disposals, 2 marks, seven tackles and two rebound 50s) and Ellie Hall (25 disposals, three marks, seven tackles, four clearances and three inside 50s) were both very strong. Sophia Green and Leila Creevey also impressed, with Murray perhaps having the stronger top-end performers in the match, but the Devils having the all-round team contribution which helped them score the win.

Murray Bushrangers head to La Trobe University in Bundoora next Sunday to clash with the GWV Rebels, while Tasmania Devils wait a week until June 22 where they head to the Apple Isle’s north to take on the Sandringham Dragons at Girdlestone Park in Devonport.

TASMANIA DEVILS 2.1 | 2.3 | 5.5 | 5.6 (36)
MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 (8)

GOALS:
Tasmania Devils: S. Johns 2, J. Haberle, M. Anderson, G. McIntee
Murray Bushrangers: M. Day

RMC BEST:
Tasmania Devils: A. Read, E. Ward, J. Haberle, T. Lette, S. Johns
Murray Bushrangers: N. Spiteri, E. Hall, R. Dodd, S. Green, L. Creevey

GWV REBELS 1.2 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 2.6 (18)
WESTERN JETS 1.1 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 7.7 (49)

IN A NUTSHELL

After the GWV Rebels hit the front midway through the second term, Western Jets piled on the last five goals of the game to run over the top of the country side by 31 points and record their first win of the season.

KEY PLAYERS

GWV Rebels

Isabella Davies -29 disposals, 2 marks, 12 tackles, 8 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal
Elsie Conroy – 17 disposals, 3 marks, 11 rebound 50s
Scarlett O’Donnell – 16 disposals, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Western Jets

Tayla Olivieri – 22 disposals, 7 tackles, 10 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Jazmine Dalli – 22 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 7 clearances, 6 inside 50s
Alex McBride-Loane – 21 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

NEXT ROUND

GWV Rebels vs. Murray Bushrangers | Sun Jun 15, 1:30pm @ La Trobe University, Bundoora
Western Jets vs. Gippsland Power | Sun Jun 15, 11:00am @ Morwell Recreation Reserve

GEELONG FALCONS 3.5 | 4.11 | 8.15 | 10.17 (77)
CALDER CANNONS 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 2.2 (14)

IN A NUTSHELL

Aside from an inaccurate second term that reduced the final margin somewhat, Geelong Falcons booted nine goals to one in the other three quarters thanks to dominating field position with 39 inside 50s to 21 and 33 clearances to 23 during a 63-point triumph over Calder Cannons.

KEY PLAYERS

Geelong Falcons

Georgia Tyrrell – 38 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles, 8 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s
Greea McKeegan – 20 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 5 hitouts, 2 inside 50s, 5 goals, 4 behinds
Ava Bilyk – 23 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 7 clearances, 6 inside 50s

Calder Cannons

Charlotte Beattie – 21 disposals, 2 marks, 9 rebound 50s
Taylah Gilcrist – 17 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 2 hitouts, 5 rebound 50s
Shauna McElligott – 16 disposals, 4 marks, 11 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

NEXT ROUND

Geelong Falcons vs. Eastern Ranges | Sun Jun 15, 2:00pm @ Healesville Sports Complex
Calder Cannons vs. Northern Territory | Sat Jun 14, 5:30pm @ TIO Stadium, Darwin

BENDIGO PIONEERS 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 4.2 (26)
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 6.5 | 8.6 | 11.6 | 15.7 (97)

IN A NUTSHELL

After their first loss of the season last week, Dandenong Stingrays put the winless Bendigo Pioneers to the sword with a 41-0 opening quarter which set up a massive 71-point victory thanks to an even team effort.

KEY PLAYERS

Bendigo Pioneers

Ella Jeffrey – 26 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 7 clearances, 5 rebound 50s
Lacey Nihill – 21 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 7 clearances, 5 rebound 50s
Beth Morris – 19 disposals, 4 marks, 10 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Dandenong Stingrays

Alice Cunnington – 16 disposals, 8 marks, 6 goals, 2 behinds
Marlee Black – 19 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 2 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 1 goal
Lillian Snow – 16 disposals, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 goals

NEXT ROUND

Bendigo Pioneers vs. Eastern Ranges | Sun Jul 6, 12:40pm @ La Trobe University, Bundoora
Dandenong Stingrays vs. Oakleigh Chargers | Sat Jun 14, 4:00pm @ Kinetic Stadium, Frankston

NORTHERN KNIGHTS 0.1 | 2.3 | 3.4 | 5.5 (35)
GIPPSLAND POWER 1.1 | 4.1 | 5.3 | 7.6 (48)

IN A NUTSHELL

Not much separated both these sides who were missing key players, but in the end Gippsland Power fought past the Northern Knights due to a 37-23 clearance differential despite the Knights have eight more inside 50s (32-24) in a tough 13-point win.

KEY PLAYERS

Northern Knights

Katelyn Busuttil – 24 disposals, 6 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 inside 50s
Olivia Gorman – 18 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal
Grace Farah – 17 disposals, 2 marks, 13 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Gippsland Power

Rebecca Fitzpatrick – 26 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal
Baia Pugh – 22 disposals, 3 marks, 8 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 2 behinds
Lily Milner – 19 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 8 clearances

NEXT ROUND

Northern Knights vs. Sandringham Dragons | Sun Jun 15, 1:05pm @ Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Gippsland Power vs. Western Jets | Sun Jun 15, 11:00am @ Morwell Recreation Reserve