A MASSIVE round of Coates Talent League Girls actions saw six games take place prior to another league-wide bye with some big comebacks and impressive individual performances. We took notes on some of the standouts, with a primary focus on the Victorian or Allies representatives or trailists, and the non-draft eligible players.

>> ROUND 16: Round wrap | Team of the Week | Player of the Week

Western Jets:

#4 Ruby Jones
Wing | 171cm | 02/03/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The bottom-age wing caught the eye with her outside right and ability to transition the ball between the arcs. Her defensive pressure stood up in the heat of battle, and even when copping a huge bump from Johnstone, bounced straight back up. A good size with nice athletic traits, she balanced between her offensive and defensive abilities and had her best performance of the season in the game.

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

Stats: 23 disposals, 16 tackles, 10 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Having no qualms going up against a strong on-ball division, Olivieri was a tackling machine throughout the game, and had the inside midfielder’s equivalent of a triple-double with 23 disposals, 10 clearances and 16 tackles. She is a no fuss player who does the team things and links up well with her teammates, able to extract the ball from a stoppage and get it to the outside well.

#9 Kiara Boyd
Midfielder | 173cm | 02/06/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 7 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The talented marking forward got a taste of life next year by playing a full-time midfield role. Often running with Johnstone, the more experienced Rebels onballer got the better of her early, but Boyd soon turned a strong defensive intent into valuable offensive moves from the second term onwards. Becoming a natural around the footy, Boyd got great experience at ground level, having already been a brilliant aerialist when inside 50.

#26 Piper Dixon
Forward | 159cm | 16/10/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 9 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 behind

Not quite the heights of her massive 35-disposal game a few weeks back, but Dixon was able to remain consistent and bring a strong defensive mindset to the match. She played off half-forward but worked up the ground well, having noticeably improved her aerobic capacity this season. She is very right-side dominant but almost kicked the winning goal midway through the fourth term where a shot bounced up on the goalline but was unfortunately rushed through.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 7 rebound 50s

Rotating onto a raft of opponents, McBride-Loane looked to bring the ball to ground and mop up consistently throughout the match. Often playing quite aggressively to hold a high line, she also got back to assist on the last line. At times she can get caught trying to cover multiple opponents in a zone formation, which can lead to opposition marks or such as the winning goal in the goalsquare, but does focus on the higher percentage decisions which works the majority of the time. One of the better Jets once again.

GWV Rebels:

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

Stats: 33 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Another massive game from Davies who has shown she is just that bit too experienced for the level. She wins the ball with ease, applies great defensive pressure and rotates between defence and midfield. Generally a neat user, Davies will throw herself at every contest and have a crack, with slick hands and great footy smarts that enable her to get into the right spots frequently.

#7 Maggie Johnstone
Midfielder/Forward I 171cm I 06/06/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Started the game like a house on fire, taking ocntrol of the midfield and winning plenty of it. She won a couple of huge clearances going forward and then late in the second term she was dragged down in a tackle and hurt her shoulder. Though she returned to the field, Johnstone was not quite her dominant self, though still put in a body of work to assist in her getting her team over the line.

#9 Jovie Skewes-Clinton
Tall Forward I 176cm I 15/11/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal, 3 behinds

Played permanently forward and loomed as a really dangerous target, Skewes-Clinton’s radar was a little off with her sole major coming 30 seconds into the third term by getting goalside and getting boot to ball. Skewes-Clinton might have only capitalised once, but she always drew a crowd which opened up the forwardline for her teammates. She would constantly push up to the wing and be a marking threat there, then double back to work her opponents over.

#16 Brook Ward
Defender | 170cm | 18/04/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Another over-ager with VFLW experience, Ward settled into the back half providing great interception abilities throughout the match and playing an aggressive style to send the ball back from whence it came. In particular her work when the Jets were kicking with the breeze in the first and third terms were when she had the most involvement, and certainly stopped a number of potential goals.

#17 Milly Shortal
Midfielder | 175cm | 24/06/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 tackles, 8 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Shortal is gaining plenty of experience ahead of her top-age season next year and more than comfortable running through the midfield. She reads the ball off hands at stoppages well, and her explosive speed coupled with her booming left foot makes her a real danger to the opposition if they give her any space. She almost kicked a remarkable goal from the boundary 45m out but it just bounced the wrong side of the post.

Calder Cannons:

#1 Charli Calleia
Defender | 169cm | 28/10/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 7 rebound 50s

The hard-nosed defender had a crack throughout the four quarters and competed well one-on-one in a defence that was often under siege. A clean user of the ball, Calleia took a great contested mark at one point and provided some rebound out of the back 50. One of the few who could find exits under pressure in defence.

#4 Chloe Capeci
Defender | 168cm | 16/12/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 rebound 50s

Another player who worked hard from the back half of the ground, Capeci pushed up the ground and found space to be an option for teammates, while applying terrific defensive pressure throughout the four quarters. Capeci showed strength overhead and was able to remain composed under pressure.

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

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Competed hard against an ultra-strong side and still found her fair share of the ball. McElligott spread well across the ground finding the ball in all thirds and trying to create a spark for her side. Willing to bite off hose riskier kicks that can be high-risk, high-reward, McElligott did her best in a tough loss.

Eastern Ranges:

#2 Zoe Vozzo
Forward | 165cm | 06/02/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 5 goals, 3 behinds

Had a day out in front of goal booting five goals including four in the second half, having peppered the goals too. The winger-turned-forward has thrived in the role this season, and inflicts maximum damage when she gets it as Vozzo is able to convert both set shots and attempts on the run as she showed for Vic Metro.

#6 Tayla McMillan
Midfielder | 161cm | 25/05/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 7 inside 50s

Another high impact-per-possession player, McMillan did not need massive numbers to have an influence. She often linked up between the arcs and hit targets in transition which enabled the Ranges to have a plethora of scoring opportunities. McMillan’s knack for bursting away from the stoppages and lowering the eyes going inside 50 is a great quality to have.

#10 Jordyn Allen
Defender/Midfielder | 165cm | 12/11/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 10 inside 50s, 1 behind

Allen started on-ball for a change and was designed to use her run through the middle of the stoppages and then would fold back behind the ball to mop up. Quite often when the Ranges had possession inside 50, if the ball turned over and was dump kicked out, Allen was waiting there around the top of the 50 to send it back inside. Consistently put the Calder defence under pressure with 10 inside 50s.

#12 Emily Rankin
Midfielder | 166cm | 11/05/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50, 1 goal, 2 behinds

Found plenty of the ball and showed her class in the game with her work around the stoppages and then working forward to remain involved. Her burst speed from congestion stands out and though she had an ‘almost moment’ where the bounce went astray, she at least tried to break the lines. Has fantastic stoppage IQ and can use the ball exceptionally well.

#25 Briannan Lambe
Forward | 172cm | 22/08/2007

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 1 hitout, 1 clearance, 5 goals, 1 behind

Lambe had her best return of the season booting five goals to eclipse her previous four and make it eight consecutive games of hitting the scoreboard. Boasting a strong set of hands, she had three majors in the first term, then kicked another couple in the third, while also setting up Vozzo inside 50 too. Could have kicked a sixth goal but had a rare set shot miss midway through the fourth.

#35 Brylee Anderson
Midfielder | 172cm | 25/03/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 7 tackles, 7 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

The ball seemingly finds Anderson wherever she goes with the bottom-age Vic Metro rep having another strong game on the inside. Usually getting involved through traffic, Anderson linked up well and won plenty of contested ball while still running at a high clip. She is fierce without the ball and willing to both run with it, or release by hand to a teammate who does just that.

#37 Josephine Bamford
Ruck/Forward | 182cm | 03/06/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 18 hitouts, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Bamford played like a “fourth midfielder” at times with her ability to back up for second and third efforts outside the stoppages. She got into space, was used in transition to dish off by hand, including a couple slick ones over her shoulder or while being tackled. Competed well in the ruck and her jaw-dropping play was a three-bounce run down the wing before hitting a target at half-forward.

Geelong Falcons:

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

Stats: 23 disposals, 4 marks, 11 tackles, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

The Geelong Falcons skipper cracked in from start to finish and produced her usual high-level of defensive pressure to match her ball-winning abilities. She was clean around the stoppages able to flick the ball away and set up teams in transition, while looking to play the percentages when in open space. Tyrrell got reward for her hard running in the final; minute of the match when she converted a set shot goal.

#12 Meg Lappin
Key Defender | 180cm | 21/09/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Held a high line in defence and provided speed on the move to be one of the most influential Falcons in the match. She is strong overhead, boasts great athleticism and is not afraid to sidestep smaller opponents to work into space as well. She showed good hands and particularly had a busy first half to help get her team on top whenever they were on the back foot.

#20 Grace Carroll
Forward | 168cm | 20/04/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 1 inside 50, 2 goals, 1 behind

Keeps popping up every now and again as a viable forward target despite being undersized for a key position prospect. Carroll has strong hands and was able to kick a couple of goals in the gmae, working around the forward 50 to get into the right leading lanes. Has nice forward craft and can play high or deep inside 50.

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals

While still spending time on-ball, Huxtable did a lot of her best work in the front half where she was able to kick a couple of majors in the third term. Her first was a quick snap off a step, while her second game from a long-range set shot. Huxtable won the bulk of her touches at ground level and moved seamlessly between midfield and attack to work into space and be an option.

Bendigo Pioneers:

#1 Georgia Garlick
Defender/Midfielder | 169cm | 01/07/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 7 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The left-footer just has something about her coming off half-back even when missing some kicks she still makes it look good because of the smooth action and calmness with which she goes about it. Was strong in the air and and even took a one-handed grab on the defensive side of the wing at one stage, while looking ot provide valuable run and across the ground.

#2 Olivia Lacy
Midfielder/Defender | 169cm | 15/06/2007

Stats: 26 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Once more rolled between the midfield and defence, the latter of which she was often seen cleaning up deep in the back 50. Though a contested ball-winning type, Lacy showed she can still play as that outside receive option, winning the bulk of her touches via handball receives or gathers in space. She covered the ground well and found the ball in all thirds of the ground, applying great defensive pressure too.

#12 Issy Boulton
Defender/Midfielder | 162cm | 21/05/2007

Stats: 26 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Spent the bulk of her time coming off half-back and adding important speed to the tempo where she teamed up well with the likes of Garlick and Jeffrey, and then Lacy out of the back 50. Has a slick sidestep to evade would-be tacklers and can lean back to work her way around oncoming traffic. Ran hard all day and showed some eye-catching traits.

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

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 4 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Has enjoyed some great form this season and that continued on the weekend where she was again prolific around the ball. Her ability to win the pill at speed and then work her way through congestion was admirable and she even took the ball with one hand at speed without breaking stride. Has quick and clean hands with great technique.

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

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

Played a more permanent defensive role in the match and while not having the same numbers as she does when rolling through the middle, still added important run and carry from defence. She is composed with ball in hand, has neat skills and great toughness that allows her to never back down from a challenge. Quite clean with ball in hand too.

Murray Bushrangers:

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 10 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 5 rebound 50s

Green started on-ball and then tended to push behind it to add an extra number and build up from the back 50. She did well in getting into the right spots and applying pressure to the forwards, while also adding numbers to stoppages where she could try and feed it out to teammates. She did find some space when on the move, and though her efficiency is hit and miss at times, she had a mixed up her ball-winning between throwing herself at the loose ball and being involved in handball chains from defence.

#11 Majella Day
Tall Forward | 176cm | 11/03/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 3 goals, 4 behinds

Peppered the goals with seven scoring shots, but after taking a while to find the big sticks, Day became the match-winner in the fourth term when she slammed home three goals to drag her side over the line in an incredible comeback. Her first goal was unique in using the umpire as a block near the goal post, then nailed a set shot and finally kicked a ridiculous goal off the left under pressure to bend the ball around the post perfectly.

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

Stats: 37 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 6 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Hall’s stat-stuffing red-hot form rolled on in Round 16 with another ridiculous performance that made her past three weeks read as 37, 39 and 37 disposals respectively. She finds plenty of it, but does so through remarkable work rate and a massive endurance base. She keeps running all day and will get her hands dirty on the inside while spreading to the outside as well. A remarkable rich vein of form.

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 marks, 7 tackles, 2 clearances, 6 inside 50s

Did the bulk of her work up forward once more and showed why she can be an effective pressure forward. Though able to find the ball herself, Spiteri’s standout traits are her tackling and contested ball-winning. The Murray top-ager was not afraid to use her non-dominant left side if required and is a super high-effort player who never takes a backwards step in her footballing.

#24 Rose Bell
Defender | 170cm | 18/03/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 7 rebound 50s

Provided a thorn in the opposition’s side with her positioning and ability to hit long-range targets while under pressure. Bell often looked to run and carry from defence, take a bounce and break lines, or set up teammates down the field. She saved a certain goal right on the line during the second term and showed courage when crunched early in the fourth quarter.

#49 Evie Henley
Defender | 171cm | 13/07/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 rebound 50s

The double bottom-ager was found mopping up in defence showing she can play on all three lines and compete strongly. More than capable in the air, she did get caught holding the ball trying to burst away at one point, but quite often managed to break free and take some grass. Henley remained accountable and even marked on the last line at one point while having a big third term coming out of the back 50.

Northern Knights:

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

Stats: 25 disposals, 4 marks, 9 tackles, 8 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 3 behinds

The tough inside midfielder found herself forward quiet often when not on-ball but still attacked the contest hard and showed fantastic grit. Her efficiency was down on her usual output, but she was often under immense pressure, and set up a couple of goals early on. Her centre clearance win six minutes into the fourth term when Murray was closing the Knights down was also crucial.

#2 Maddison Meagher
Wing/Defender | 162cm | 02/08/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Meagher was at her linebreaking best throughout the match and looked to win multiple possessions within a chain by transitioning from defence into offence. Her defensive pressure was fantastic and quite often she would back herself off the wing, not afraid to step back from a would-be tackler and create her own space in the process. Though Meagher can get pushed off it against bigger bodied opponents, the bottom-ager ager adds so much value thanks to her explosive speed.

#7 Scarlett Johnson
Wing/Defender | 175cm | 26/11/2007

Stats: 27 disposals, 7 marks, 7 tackles, 3 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Despite a lightly quiet start to the game, Johnson quickly got back to her best and finished as Northern’s best afield yet again. The Northern Knights top-ager covers ground exceptionally well and is a two-way runner in the fact that while she can be a switch option or player in space on the outside, Johnson can equally drop back and be in the hole in defence. Boasting great hands and an ability to consistently find the footy, it was another fantastic performance.

#8 Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb
Ruck | 181cm | 27/07/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 35 hitouts, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The top-age ruck shook off an early whack that left her sore to control the stoppages and rack up hitouts with ease. She has really developed her around the ground work, taking a goal-saving mark in the defensive goalsquare midway through the third term and equally put pressure on the opposition defence running hard forward and thumping it deep inside 50.

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Looking dangerous inside 50, Jesser rotated on-ball at times and showed some quick and clean hands around the stoppages, often flicking the ball out to teammates regularly. She kicked a goal from point-blank range after tedaing the play well, and had a lot of the ball in the front half where she looked to put it into goal-scoring positions even if it only just missed targets here or there.

#23 Phoebe Hargreaves
Midfielder | 161cm | 15/07/2007

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

Added some X-factor around the ball and once again used her strengths to advantage with nice weighted kicks and great vision going forward. Her work rate has never been a problem and the Knights skipper was able to influence with ball in hand, winning it at ground level and finding teammates with those short, sharp kicks.

Tasmania Devils:

#1 Mischa Barwin
Forward/Midfielder | 167cm | 04/12/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 6 marks, 8 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal, 3 behinds

Barwin might have done most of her damaging work inside 50, but played a high-line when at half-forward, then rotated on-ball for the second half where she was able to apply great pressure. Her defensive attributes have gone to another level again in 2025, and she has the forward craft to lead into the right lanes and mark, to set up goal-scoring opporutnities. Her radar was a little off – which can be the case. at times – but her classy snap late in the third ensured she added her name to the goalkickers list. Really lively with serious X-factor.

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Played her role out of defence and did not have a lot to do early, but when Gippsland started attacking in the second term, found more of the ball. As the game went on, Read would understand when to push up the ground and even got a look on goal from long-range that just missed, though she showed off a slick sidestep in the process with a couple of bounces. Not only competed well in the air but tackled hard at ground level in challenging conditions.

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

Stats: 29 disposals, 6 marks, 7 tackles, 1 clearance, 10 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Has gone from strength-to-strength this year and the Tasmanian midfielder was huge once more. Importantly, Anderson spent valuable time forward in the second half and with time and space uses the ball well. She set up a number of teammates with majors after kicking one herself midway through the second term. Continues to impress with every game that passes and can find the pill both at ground level and via hand in transition.

#15 Priya Bowering
Midfielder | 169cm | 02/01/2007

Stats: 27 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 9 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Worked in tandem with Anderson and was sensational yet again, cracking in both on the inside and when spreading to the outside. She took a number of strong marks, barrelled the ball forward and even when out-positioned, found a way to get into the best position to win the ball for her side and dish it out. Some of the cleanest hands going around, Bowering clearance work stood out, as did her fierce tackling intent.

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals, 4 behinds

It was always going to be fascinating to see how Ward fitted into the side after being best on ground for her side in a 10-goal loss the week before without all the Allies representatives. She was thrown forward this time and kicked a couple of goals in the game, with a ridiculous major from the tightest of angles on the boundary showing her class just five minutes into the game. Left a few goal-scoring chances out there, but was still really prolific, winning nine of her 15 touches at ground level and had the equal-most hardball gets despite playing forward.

#22 Matilda Lange
Midfielder | 166cm | 30/01/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Returned to the side after missing last week and worked well with her older teammates to find plenty of the ball both on the inside and outside. Lange hit the scoreboard with a clever snap being in the right place at the right time early in the fourth, while she had done most of her best work around the stoppages. Will be a key player for the Devils over the next couple of seasons when the top-age crop move on.

#26 Harriet Bingley
Forward | 174cm | 23/03/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 6 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

Had plenty of influence when starting on-ball then inevitably going forward rotating with her fellow Allies representatives. Bingley’s hands through traffic were strong, and though under pressure she can rush at times or be a touch fumbly, her power in congestion and ability to shrug off would-be tacklers and deliver the ball to a teammate easily, were fantastic traits in the match.

Gippsland Power:

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

Always a player who does not need a heap of the ball to do damage, Milner started on-ball and worked forward when she showed her eye-catching traits. Despite being one who can impact heavily on the outside, she thrives on winning the contested ball as well and won 14 of her 18 possessions in that manner. Milner’s weighted handballs are sensational and a great element to have.

#10 Grace Dillow
Midfielder | 167cm | 03/06/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 behind

One of the standouts for Gippsland in the match, Dillow really applied pressure around the stoppages and ensured she put her body on the line each and every time. Winning an equal game-high six hardball gets and 12 groundballs, Dillow rarely had the time and space she requires to inflict maximum damage. Though she did miss the one chance she had from a set shot after a free kick, the bottom-ager was busy throughout the game always cracking in trying to get her side on top.

#19 Ella Stoddart
Defender | 174cm | 30/01/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 8 rebound 50s

It was another big game from the National Academy member who cracked in against the grain with plenty of resistance when in the under siege backline. Stoddart ran at a high efficiency by foot and did not have it all her own way in terms of easy interceptions, so cracked in and got her hands dirty at ground level too. Most of her touches were in a contest and she took the kickouts at different times, but was never afraid to put her body on the line.

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

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 tackles, 4 clearances, 1 inside 50, 14 rebound 50s

Tasked with the bulk of the kickouts, the versatile utility found herself as a permanent defender after playing as a forward/midfielder at different points this season. Though finding a lot of the ball due to the kickouts, Fitzpatrick’s reliable right boot and her competitive nature allowed her to clear the ball long down the line, or more often than not find a target.

#36 Chelsea Sutton
Midfielder/Forward | 169cm | 16/11/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50s

Another midfielder who really cracked in and put her body on the line, Sutton was under enormous pressure most of the time and held her own throughout the game. She is often not too far off with her disposal going forward and she was important around the stoppages in extracting the ball and finding her runners to keep it moving quickly in transition.

Oakleigh Chargers:

#2 Chloe Thorn
Midfielder/Forward | 167cm | 07/09/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 8 tackles, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Thorn’s transition from defence into the middle again continued with the tough and effective ball-winner not only predominantly playing around the ball, but instead rotating forward to be an option inside 50. She kicked a goal after getting deep and winning it at the top of the goalsquare midway through the third term with her clean hands at ground level and strong tackling intent among her better traits in the match.

#4 Zara Neuwirth
Key Defender | 183cm | 06/07/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Got to play a lot more aggressive in the game than she has most of her career, and even found the ball out on the wing at times. She followed opponents up the ground rather than staying back and switching with teammates, and took a number of strong marks as well. One such proactive play pushing up to the wing in the third term lead to an Oakleigh goal and she was able to find her fair share of the ball in the back half too.

#6 Leni Lockyer
Wing/Defender | 165cm | 26/02/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 6 marks, 2 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, a goal

The bottom-aged eligible Collingwood father-daughter prospect was able to work well clearing from half-back and getting the ball down the ground. She applied pressure on the outside and found a lot of space, the when darting forward was able to gather cleanly in the pocket and slot a nice goal on the run that prompted plenty of celebrations from her teammates.

#9 Chloe Bown
Midfielder | 173cm | 20/12/2007

Stats: 25 disposals, 3 marks, 11 tackles, 10 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal, 3 behinds

It was no surprise that after spending the first two and a half quarters forward, that as soon as Bown was injected into the midfield, Oakleigh’s dominance around the ball completely changed. The Vic Metro MVP finished the game with an incredible 10 clearances despite mostly playing at half-forward, while still getting involved and racking up the ball with ease. Bown kicked a nice goal after an intercept mark and loose checking from the Sandringham defenders, before releasing by hand shortly after and setting up another major. Might have been upstaged from the Bown family for the first time this season, but it was very clear the siblings were the two standouts.

#13 Zoe Curry
Midfielder | 172cm | 09/10/2008

Stats: 28 disposals, 1 mark, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

With Bown starting up forward, Curry did a lot of the heavy lifting early around the stoppages and threw herself at every contest to win the ball and feed it out or pump it forward. She set up a goal to Thorn midway through the third term with a nice long kick to the goalsquare, and was a standout at the coalface. Though her efficiency can be up and down at times. her sheer strength to extract it consistently enables her to have massive involvement in shovelling the ball forward for her side.

#32 Scarlett Bown
Forward | 178cm | 22/09/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 7 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 7 goals, 1 behind

It was a game to remember from our Rookie Me Central Player of the Week who slammed home seven goals in a huge performance. The double bottom-age Bown took full advantage of competition leading goalkicker Bailee Martin being out of the side to slot six goals in the last half an hour with the game on the line to steer her team to a memorable win. Of her seven marks, four were contested, and honestly she looked a class above one-on-one with her aerial reach, athleticism and forward craft.

Sandringham Dragons:

#28 Amy Smith
Wing/Defender | 172cm | 07/11/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The skilful utility has locked down a wing role of late, with Smith also rotating behind the ball when a bigger body is needed. Her composure with ball in hand and willingness to take those risky kicks stands out, with her skill and smarts on full display more often than not. She did get hurt in a tackle when brought down in the third term, and that ultimately impacted not just her game, but the team’s flow as well.

#39 Chloe Williams
Tall Defender | 175cm | 23/04/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s, 9 rebound 50s

Was an aerial intercepting threat behind the ball and got into good positions to mop up and drive it down the field. Though not necessarily looking to take the most dangerous opposition forward, Williams was instead tasked with reading the ball and thwarting attacks before they got there, and she also an option from the kickout. Working up the ground at times, the bottom-ager also pumped the ball inside 50 on occasions to get it into scoring positions.

#38 Chloe Shipton
Midfielder/Forward | 164cm | 30/04/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s

Never one to take a backwards step, Shipton has a lot of eye-catching qualities with her work and she will crack in at the stoppages or get into space to be involved in a handball chain. Given Shipton has an electric athletic profile, she can burn off opponents with ease, and is just working on being more effective by foot. She played her role and was able to find her fair share of the ball.

#59 Maya Duane
Midfielder/Forward | 180cm | 16/03/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 8 marks, 1 tackle, 5 clearances, 9 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals

A really damaging game both through the middle and up forward in what was arguably the best performance on the losing side. She can still be a little rough with her work going forward at times, but has a ridiculous highlights package. Two long-range majors and numerous big grabs – three contested marks from eight – Duane is a name to remember in a couple of years given her size and remarkable athleticism.