FIVE games took place across a wet weekend for the Coates Talent League, with some inundated with rain and others playing in slippery conditions. We took note of some of the standout players with a primary focus on the Victorian trialists.

>> ROUND 9: Round wrap | Player of the Week | Team of the Week | Player Focus

Tasmania Devils:

#4 Ava Read
Tall Utility | 179cm | 21/06/2006

Stats: 27 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 3 hitouts, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 9 rebound 50s, 1 behind

A standout player for the Devils in the absence of key teammates, Read was huge once again playing predominantly from defence though did roll into the ruck and hang round half-forward too. She only had the one shot on goal – a checkside attempt from the pocket – but did her best work by thwarting numerous Bushrangers attacks. Spent time on the tricky Majella Day and would have taken the chocolates which is no mean feat. Best on ground.

#9 Mia Anderson
Midfielder | 171cm | 14/02/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 tackle, 5 clearances, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Anderson is just a player who brings the same attitude to each and every game. She started on-ball and dropped back to help out the defence at times, while also getting forward to slam home a long-range goal during the third term. The conditions were awful, but the contested ball-winning midfielder had no issues getting involved and even played to said conditions with a handy soccer forward when the ball had become too hard to pick up.

#16 Evie Ward
Forward/Midfielder | 171cm | 29/10/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 7 inside 50s

A really versatile player who seems to almost have a hybrid role on field in the way she covers ground, Ward did her best work forward of centre in Round 9. Though normally fairly efficient, the conditions made hitting targets a nightmare with her disposals still going to the right spots, but hard to pinpoint passes. All things considered she was still impressive and amongst the best Devils on the day.

Murray Bushrangers:

#3 Rain Dodd
Midfielder/Forward | 165cm | 13/01/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 rebound 50s

Really thrived in the wet, and though limited for opportunities when forward, threw herself at everything. Had 11 disposals by half-time, and did a lot of chasing around the contest and the pack with other teammates winning the clearances. Helped out getting behind the ball and while clearing the danger there, also stood out with her movement through traffic. Can dump it on the boot at times under pressure but it was the day for that given the wet weather, with field position everything.

#10 Sophia Green
Defender/Midfielder | 169cm | 22/11/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 13 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Green is a hard-running player who has a neat, short, sharp passing style. She has the ability to dance around players at times, though she can also get rundown with just developing that spatial awareness a little more when having time and space, but perhaps not that much time and space. When tackled around the coalface, Green did well to stand up and still free the ball, and defensively she was elite, laying a whopping 13 tackles.

#14 Ellie Hall
Midfielder/Defender | 174cm | 07/07/2006

Stats: 25 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Has hardly put a foot wrong in her over-age season and played another strong game for the Bushrangers since coming back from her Giants Academy duties. Starting on-ball then rotating into defence as has so been the case, Hall’s ability to get into the right positions to intercept and then drive the ball forward stands out. Not explosive, Hall is effective at getting the ball free in a tackle and uses her bigger frame around the stoppages to feed it out. Had one set shot from 35m that missed to the right in the final term.

#15 Nikhita Spiteri
Midfielder/Forward | 171cm | 20/07/2007

Stats: 27 disposals, 2 marks, 10 tackles, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Few players would have been more suited to the conditions than Spiteri from a defensive standpoint, always loving the contested nature and tackling pressure she provides each and every week. Though she can be cleaner at times – and the conditions again made that tough – she was a clear best-on for Murray, having the ball on a string and winning it both inside and outside. Had a quick chance on goal from long-range which only just missed. Did her best from first bounce and final siren.

GWV Rebels:

#1 Isabella Davies
Midfielder/Forward I 162cm I 29/10/2006

Stats: 29 disposals, 2 marks, 12 tackles, 8 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Had the experience edge on the rest of the players and was best-on in a tough loss. Davies did all she could, cracking in and winning the hard ball, then spreading to the outside and winning it there as well. Her ability to transition the ball forward was important, and she was not afraid to get her hands dirty as well. Davies’ ability to flick away handballs to teammates outside of the congestion, and cover the ground with ease really stood out in the performance where she starred around the coalface.

#8 Scarlett O’Donnell
Forward/Midfielder I 171cm I 03/11/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Another over-ager who has kicked her game up a notch in her second Rebels season, O’Donnell was able to find great space out of the middle and win a couple of clearances and handball receives to explode away and take the ball down the ground. She added a point of difference to a midfield missing Maggie Johnstone, and though she can run herself into trouble, generally impacted in a big way for the Rebels.

Western Jets:

#5 Tayla Olivieri
Midfielder | 159cm | 14/02/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 10 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

A clean player who just keeps finding the ball, Olivieri continued her strong form from the Victorian trial match to rack up double-digit clearances. Though sub-160cm, Olivieri is quick to get her hands to it around the stoppages, and thanks to her cleanliness and ability to dispose of the ball rapidly, she can clear the danger zone quickly. Can turn on a dime and use her height to her advantage in drawing free kicks or slipping out of would-be tackles.

#30 Alex McBride-Loane
Defender | 174cm | 03/04/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackle, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Holding up the fort in the back 50, McBride-Loane rushed through several behinds to save the day at times then charged out of defence to put the Rebels on the back foot. A raking kick of the ball, McBride-Loane applied great pressure at ground level and did her best to get the ball moving quickly and take grass. One instance that stood out was where she got caught holding the ball trying to break through a Davies tackle, but rather than let it get to her, smothered that very next kick and proceeded to boot the ball down the ground.

Geelong Falcons:

#5 Addison Baars
Forward/Midfielder | 163cm | 17/10/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

The clever top-age forward has shown potential inside 50 with her finishing ability and knack for weaving through traffic. She had a few chances on goal – kicking two – and always finds a way to get onto her right side. By hand she was able to dispose of it cleanly, and while she can tidy up some elements of her game, just pops up and catches the eye.

#9 Georgia Tyrrell
Midfielder/Defender | 168cm | 04/08/2007

Stats: 38 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles, 8 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

An enormous game from the Geelong skipper who was our Player Focus for Round 9 with an enormous 38-disposal performance. The Falcons threw around the magnets at different stages throughout the game and incredibly Tyrrell had 33 disposals to the final break before being moved to half-back and show her wares in a role she has played sparingly in the past.

>> Player Focus: Georgia Tyrrell (Geelong Falcons)

#17 Greea McKeegan
Tall Forward | 176cm | 15/12/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 5 hitouts, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 5 goals, 4 behinds

A high-upside bottom-ager, McKeegan does not always get a heap of opportunities but she did in the game and took full toll. While at times she was forced to take some ridiculously difficult shots on goal, McKeegan booted five majors from nine scoring shots. She can kick some incredible goals off a split moment and though her finishing on the run was hit and miss due to the degree of difficulty on the shots, she made the most of her three set shots. An upwards trajectory should see her among the better tall forwards in the competition next year.

#26 Ava Bilyk
Defender/Midfielder | 167cm | 07/07/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 7 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Got her chance playing through midfield more consistently and really stood up with the Vic Country Under 16s MVP from last year using her clean skills and versatility to impact on both the inside and outside of midfield. She drove the ball forward time and time again, and had a flying shot herself at one stage that missed to the right. As a whole was one of the better players on the ground again and so damaging by hand or foot.

#38 Stella Huxtable
Forward | 172cm | 22/12/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal, 4 behinds

Essentially played a full-time game forward with only some late midfield minutes, to further show her versatility ahead of the national championships. Huxtable has always been a strong marking target inside 50, and though her goalkicking accuracy is an area that has plagued her at times this year, she still looked dangerous and had five scoring shots in the big win. Sets up her teammates and makes them better by being there.

Calder Cannons:

#8 Taylah Gilcrist
Tall Defender/Forward | 177cm | 18/04/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 2 hitouts, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 5 rebound 50s

Gilchrist started the game in defence then was thrown forward for a point of difference in the secon half. She has always proven herself as that rebounding back with a booming kick, and though not able to get a lot of looks up forward, applied great pressure in the front half and had a couple of deep kicks, setting up a goal to Sienna Scuderi.

#15 Shauna McElligott
Forward/Midfielder | 162cm | 05/03/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 11 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Fantastic once again and incredible to think that the bulk of her statline came from just three quarters. Starting forward and managing just the one disposal – a clean handball – in the first term, McElligott moved on-ball for the second term and immediately made her presence felt, picking up 15 touches across the next three quarters. When working into space she is a lovely ball user and clean by hand or foot, while also continuing her fantastic defensive intent which has gone to a whole new level in 2025.

Bendigo Pioneers:

#4 Sage Dennis
Midfielder/Defender | 160cm | 22/08/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 11 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Tough as they come, Dennis has looked completely at home straight out of the Under 16s Development Championships into the Coates Talent League Girls side. She spins out of trouble and stands strong when needed even though she is a smaller player, giving as good as she gets with an aggressive streak that fuels her football. Dennis is not just adept at the coalface, the double bottom-ager also adds run and carry to the side, with effective ball use in transition be it while playing midfield or defence.

#14 Lacey Nihill
Utility | 172cm | 01/05/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 7 clearances, 1 inside 50, 5 rebound 50s

One of the busiest Pioneers throughout the match, no doubt the coaches would love a few of her to cover multiple positions. Nihill started on a wing, got time on the inside and even worked to half-back, with some nice highlights throughout the match. The Pioneers bottom-ager looks to run and carry every chance she gets, and though it can get her into trouble, her upside and ability to break the lines is worth the risk. Usually a more efficient player than in the match, Nihill was often under immense pressure and even so, looked to get the ball away from the danger zone. Will gain plenty from the experience.

#23 Ella Jeffrey
Defender/Midfielder | 167cm | 09/08/2007

Stats: 26 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 2 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Jeffrey worked incredibly hard across the ground playing between midfield and defence, trying to get the ball moving in transition. She is usually clean by hand or foot, and if she does make a mistake, will follow up with defensive pressure. She stretches the ground well and at times will go for those 45-kicks that open up the game despite the associated risks. Finished the match as the main ball-winner on the ground and did all she could in what was a tough loss for the Pioneers.

Dandenong Stingrays:

#3 Nikita Harris
Defender/Midfielder | 162cm | 01/01/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 8 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s

Harris played her best game of the year by far against the Pioneers, with added responsibility considering the outs from the Stingrays. Playing a similar role to that of the missing Mizuki Brothwell, Harris started in defence and rotated through the midfield where she found her fair share of the ball. A handball-prevalent performance, Harris worked into the game from the second term and applied great defensive pressure in close, and looked to run and carry with some nice give-and-go. Harris set up the final goal of the game by lowering the eyes and nailing a short bullet into Black.

#7 Lillian Snow
Forward/Midfielder | 169cm | 10/07/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 4 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 goals

More than capable of playing as that marking target inside 50, Snow looked dangerous up forward through the first half with two majors from set shots after strong marks. While one was from close range a minute into the second term, her earlier major never looked like missing from 40m out. Had a six-disposal third term once moving on-ball and helped out in defence as well with her strength and clean hands.

#8 Ruby Geurts
Utility | 171cm | 17/09/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 behind

While Geurts has perhaps flown under the radar a little due to Dandenong having such a dominant season, she got a nice opportunity to play on-ball and pushing forward, as well as out of the back 50. She is often mopping up behind the ball, and while not a massive accumulator, she moves so seamlessly through traffic and it is easy to see why she earned All-Australian honours at Under 16s level and is part of the Vic Country hub as a bottom-ager. Geurts ran at 80 per cent efficiency by foot and even when just throwing it on the boot she seems to hit a target.

#11 Scarlett Marsh
Defender | 162cm | 03/04/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 1 rebound 50

Another talented bottom-ager with great skills who can cut up the opposition, if Marsh ever gets 20-plus touches it would be nightmare-inducing for anyone not associated with the Stingrays on matchday because she may well be the best kick in next year’s draft. Marsh ran at 100 per cent efficiency – from eight kicks – and 92.3 per cent disposal efficiency in total, which sums up her ball use. The most impressive factor is it’s not just cheap kicks in defence, but she is often pinpoint 45-kicks and mopping up before delivering under pressure.

#12 Alice Cunnington
Forward | 174cm | 30/06/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 8 marks, 1 inside 50, 6 goals, 2 behinds

Cunnington is such an enormously talented prospect and one who is so damaging as a leading forward. Though she can also play on a wing or through the middle, Cunnington was stationed at full-forward and filled her boots with half a dozen goals and burning off opponents on the lead and one-on-one. Simply a standout, she earned our Player of the Week with her huge performance in the win. Could have even kicked a few more with a couple of misses and handing one off in the goalsquare to Kiara Triep.

#27 Marlee Black
Forward | 164cm | 14/05/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 2 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 1 goal

Black was near best on ground at half-time outside of Cunnington with a 12-disposal first half playing through the midfield. She was everywhere for the Stingrays and worked up and down the ground and aiding in the transition of the ball between the middle and forward 50. Black has shown promising signs throughout the season up forward, but really got her go on-ball, and then went back inside 50 though her numbers dropped off, finished with two fourth quarter goals including one just after the final siren.

Northern Knights:

#1 Olivia Gorman
Midfielder | 168cm | 25/10/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

Gorman always does the team things right and while numbers wise she has had bigger games, still had a profound influence on the match. Her biggest highlight was a set play during the second term where on the wing read it off hands perfectly at the stoppage, burst past a couple of opponents, handballed it off, won it back in a one-two then kicked to a half-forward contest where she won a third touch in the passage. Not long after she set up a goal to Jesser then kept her team in the game with a clever read off hands late in the match to snap truly around her body.

#10 Katelyn Busuttil
Midfielder/Forward | 164cm | 15/02/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The most consistent Knight on the day across four quarters, Busuttil got her opportunity not just through her preferred midfield, but also at half-forward where she still looked lively. Her clearance work and defensive pressure is always very strong, and while her polish and composure at times are areas to further develop, Busuttil’s second and third efforts stand out. A consistent ball-winner who set up scoring chances such as Gorman’s goal during the last term. It was one of her most complete performances of the year.

#19 Olivia Jesser
Forward | 168cm | 04/01/2007

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

Was limited for opportunities inside 50 but finished with two goals including a late major from close range to cut the deficit to seven points with less than five minutes remaining. Just moments earlier she missed a set shot from 25m out she would normally nail, but then clunked a grab at the top of the goalsquare to kick truly quickly. Her first goal was even better which came midway through the second term after receiving a handball and then finishing well on the run. Jesser is one player who forced her way into the Metro squad due to her form after being initially left out of the hub.

#26 Somer McCormack
Forward/Midfielder | 163cm | 22/01/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 6 inside 50s

McCormack just keeps popping up with some nice performances here and there, and was again busy across the ground. Her multiple efforts stand out and her ability to bring the ball from the inside to the outside with a quick burst underpin strengths in her game. She is still rounding out her overall game but has another 18 months to build on her performances which have plenty of merit.

Gippsland Power:

#9 Lily Milner
Midfielder/Forward | 172cm | 25/01/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 8 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

Such a smooth-mover around the stoppages and up forward, Milner has some outstanding athletic traits. She sidestepped or weaved around opponents on a number of occasions and her ability to work her way through congestion is very good. In one instance she scooped the ball off the deck cleanly at speed and kicked down the wing, while playing to the conditions at times too with a soccer of the deck to clear the pill from congestion and create a footrace on the wing. Had a game-high eight clearances, and while her efficiency was lower than her normal class, she was still prominent.

#24 Baia Pugh
Forward/Midfielder | 169cm | 28/03/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 3 marks, 8 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 2 behinds

One of the genuine bolters from the Vic Country region, Pugh has come on in leaps and bounds as the season has progressed. She had another big game and was one of her side’s best, booting two goals from four scoring shots and 22 touches. Importantly she hit the scoreboard while playing on-ball and just pushing forward rather than just inside 50, and showed she can find the ball in both roles. Pugh has some tricks as well, feigning a handball at one stage inside 50 to turn, straighten and take a shot which unfortunately just missed.

#25 Lilly Leighton
Forward/Midfielder | 163cm | 08/10/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 goal

Returning from Collingwood VFLW, Leighton played primarily forward but was utilised around stoppages when required and she showed clean hands at ground level and those trademark athletic traits that attracted AFLW club interest last season. She has strong hands and an ability to win one-on-ones, she ticks a lot of boxes and is just building her consistency across both levels of competition. Kicked a goal from a tight angle following up from an earlier set shot from long-range that just fell short.

#29 Rebecca Fitzpatrick
Midfielder | 172cm | 31/01/2007

Stats: 26 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 1 hitout, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

The skipper got up after getting hurt in the third term last week to play an influential role through the middle. She found plenty of the ball and was her typically consistent self, showing desperation and leading by exampled. She was tough and contested, but works hard getting to the outside, with a nice goal coming from hard running. During the second term, Fitzpatrick pushed hard forward into space to mark all alone inside 50, took two bounces and slammed home a major. Polish can still be improved but she is the type of player anyone would love on their side.