A TOP three battle between Oakleigh Chargers and Dandenong Stingrays is the match of the round in the Coates Talent League Girls as Round 15 gets underway tomorrow. The Chargers and Stingrays face-off on Sunday, with the Victorian representatives back available across the six matches.

NEED TO KNOW

Venue: Belvedere Reserve, Seaford
Date: Sunday, July 27
Time: 11:00am

FORM

Two heavyweights of the Coates Talent League Girls competition, Oakleigh Chargers are coming off a rare couple of losses heading into their “home” match against Dandenong Stingrays at Seaford. The Chargers had depleted sides in defeat to Tasmania and Geelong, but regain their Vic Metro representatives for a highly anticipated contest with the Stingrays. Dandenong is coming off a couple of massive wins since losing to Geelong back in Round 12.

TEAMS

Oakleigh Chargers:

B: #16 Charlee Johnson – #4 Zara Neuwirth – #14 Chloe Potts
HB: #59 Lily Parker – #7 Emily Rundle – #34 Tatyana Perry
C: #5 Isabelle Godfrey – #9 Chloe Bown – #6 Leni Lockyer
HF: #19 Skye Emery – #30 Grace Sharkie – #1 Grace To
F: #18 Bailee Martin – #32 Scarlett Bown – #36 Jade Gundry
R: #40 Jessica Owen – #11 Isabella Mazzei – #2 Chloe Thorn
INT: #35 Annabelle Mackintosh – #50 Cleo Barbakas – #23 Ava Philpin – #26 Teagan Murtic – #2 Isabella Teoh

Dandenong Stingrays:

B: #18 Bridget Koczek – #28 Gabrielle Mehrmann – #25 Charlotte Hewitson
HB: #40 Zoe Zach – #32 Jayde Pudney – #5 Mizuki Brothwell
C: #2 Molly Reimers – #3 Nikita Harris – #13 Indi Sherritt
HF: #12 Alice Cunnington – #9 Nalu Brothwell – #7 Lillian Snow
F: #30 Kiara Triep – #1 Evelyn Connolly – #27 Marlee Black
R: #17 Sophie White – #15 Charlotte Gilmore – #10 Matilda Argus
INT: #29 Charlotte Litchfield – #31 Jasmine Stephenson – #11 Scarlett Marsh – #36 Jasmine Whitten – #24 Hannah Griffiths

KEY PLAYERS

Oakleigh Chargers

Oakleigh boasted both the MVP and leading goalkicker from Vic Metro in the form of Chloe Bown and Bailee Martin respectively. They will be outstanding inclusions for the Chargers, alongside key defender Zara Neuwirth and the hard-running Chloe Thorn who has been named to start on-ball. Bottom-ager Scarlett Bown will benefit from the return of Martin and her sister, while Allies representative Jessica Owen also comes back into the team, as does midfielder Teagan Murtic who spent time down back and on a wing for Metro.

Dandenong Stingrays

The Stingrays are one of the deepest sides in the competition, headlined by twins Mizuki and Nalu Brothwell who have been named up respective ends. Behind Martin, Evelyn Connolly has been one of the most prolific goalkickers this season and will look to add more to the tally, while Alice Cunnington and Lillian Snow return from Vic Country duties to be named up forward. Matilda Argus and Charlotte Gilmore can play a variety of roles but have slotted on-ball with ruck Sophie White in what is a wonderfully balanced side.

PREDICTION

Either side could win this game, but given the form of Bown and Martin alone of late for Vic Metro, it would be tough to pick against a team with them in it. If Dandenong can find a way to limit their influence, then the Stingrays would be right up there, with no one individual starring. Both sides have a stack of quality players, and expect it to be an entertaining battle for four quarters.

ROUND 15 FIXTURE

Saturday, July 26:

Gippsland Power vs. Northern Knights | Morwell Recreation Reserve @ 11:00am
Western Jets vs. Murray Bushrangers | DSV Stadium @ 11:00am

Sunday, July 27:

Calder Cannons vs. Bendigo Pioneers | Highgate Recreation Reserve @ 11:00am
Oakleigh Chargers vs. Dandenong Stingrays | Belvedere Reserve @ 11:30am
GWV Rebels vs. Tasmania Devils | Mars Stadium @ 1:00pm
Eastern Ranges vs. Sandringham Dragons | Box Hill City Oval @ 1:00pm