OAKLEIGH Chargers lead all-comers in our Coates Talent League Girls Team of the Week for Round 17. The reigning back-to-back premiers posted four representatives in the side, one more than Dandenong Stingrays, Gippsland Power and Northern Knights, with all 10 sides featuring in the 24-strong squad.

The captain this week is double bottom-ager Matilda Lange who was huge in Tasmania Devils’ final game, picking up 30 disposals, four marks, six tackles, 11 clearances and eight inside 50s. She was one of three players to hit 30 touches across the round, with the other two players slotting on-ball with her.

Those two representatives were Chloe Bown (33 disposals, eight marks, six tackles, three clearances and eight inside 50s) and Olivia Gorman (34 disposals, seven marks, 11 clearances and four inside 50s). The pair rove to Gippsland Power ruck Maya Crestani, while Bendigo Pioneers’ Lacey Nihill was moved out to a wing.

On the other wing is Western Jets’ Charlie O’Connor Moreira who impressed in the Jets’ six-point victory over Northern Knights, with her opponent Scarlett Johnson named at half-back after another big performance of 27 disposals, five marks and six rebound 50s between the wing and defence. Dandenong Stingrays’ Matilda Argus is on the other half-back flank, with her teammate and Vic Country representative Mizuki Brothwell named between her and Johnson.

On the last line of defence, Ella Jeffrey racked up 29 touches, eight marks, seven tackles and eight rebound 50s to be the most of the back for Round 17, named in a pocket with over-age Rebel Brook Ward in the other. Western Jets’ Alex McBride-Loane slotted into full-back with 18 disposals, six marks and six rebound 50s against the Knights.

Up the other end, there was no one dominant goalkicker across Round 17, with Oakleigh Chargers trio Teagan Murtic, Scarlett Bown and Cleo Barbakas all booting two goals in the win over Geelong Falcons. Northern Knights’ Olivia Jesser and Gippsland Power’s Abby Hobson also kicked a couple in each of their respective games, with midfielder-forward Mischa Barwin lively thanks to 26 touches, six clearances and five inside 50s.

Completing the squad are the six interchange players, headlined by Vic Country MVP Georgia Tyrrell and All-Australian Maggie Johnstone. Tyrrell’s Geelong Falcons teammate Chloe Bryant was also named on the bench, while Dandenong Stingrays’ Charlotte Gilmore, Gippsland Power’s Lily Milner and Sandringham Dragons’ Macy Watkins were the others.

2025 COATES TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 17

B: Ella Jeffrey (Bendigo Pioneers) – Alex McBride-Loane (Western Jets) – Brook Ward (GWV Rebels)
HB: Matilda Argus (Dandenong Stingrays) – Mizuki Brothwell (Dandenong Stingrays) – Scarlett Johnson (Northern Knights)
C: Lacey Nihill (Bendigo Pioneers) – Matilda Lange (Tasmania Devils) (c) – Charlie O’Connor Moreira (Western Jets)
HF: Mischa Barwin (Tasmania Devils) – Abby Hobson (Gippsland Power) – Teagan Murtic (Oakleigh Chargers)
F: Olivia Jesser (Northern Knights) – Scarlett Bown (Oakleigh Chargers) – Cleo Barbakas (Oakleigh Chargers)
R: Maya Crestani (Gippsland Power) – Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers) – Olivia Gorman (Northern Knights)
INT: Chloe Bryant (Geelong Falcons) – Charlotte Gilmore (Dandenong Stingrays) – Maggie Johnstone (GWV Rebels) – Lily Milner (Gippsland Power) – Georgia Tyrrell (Geelong Falcons) – Macy Watkins (Sandringham Dragons)

EMG: Mia Anderson (Tasmania Devils) – Evelyn Connolly (Dandenong Stingrays) – Jovie Skewes-Clinton (GWV Rebels)