A BLOCKBUSTER battle at Shepley Oval will determine which of Dandenong Stingrays and Oakleigh Chargers make it through to the 2025 Coates Talent League Girls Grand Final. The two-time reigning premiers Oakleigh would be favourite for the clash, but Dandenong has the talent to cause an upset, and at home, will be ready to hit the contest hard from the first bounce.

NEED TO KNOW

Venue: Shepley Oval, Dandenong
Date: Sunday, September 7
Time: 10:30am

LAST WEEK

Dandenong Stingrays qualified for the finals as top Country seed for yet another year, and put Geelong Falcons to the sword with a 58-point win that included keeping the Falcons scoreless for three quarters. Oakleigh Chargers had a near-identical victory over Sandringham Dragons, running out 56-point winners at Preston City Oval the day before, restricting the Dragons to just four behinds for the match.

TEAMS

Dandenong Stingrays:

1    Evelyn Connolly
2    Molly Reimers
3    Nikita Harris
5    Mizuki Brothwell
6    Makhaela Bluhm
7    Lillian Snow
8    Ruby Geurts
9    Nalu Brothwell
10    Matilda Argus
11    Scarlett Marsh
12    Alice Cunnington
15    Charlotte Gilmore
17    Sophie White
18    Bridget Koczek
25    Charlotte Hewitson (c)
27    Marlee Black
28    Gabrielle Mehrmann
29    Gleeson Litchfield
30    Kiara Triep
31 Jasmine Stephenson
33    Frankie Shepard
36    Jasmine Whitten
40    Zoe Zach

Oakleigh Chargers:

1    Grace To
2    Chloe Thorn (c)
4    Zara Neuwirth
5    Isabelle Godfrey
6    Leni Lockyer
7    Emily Rundle
9    Chloe Bown (vc)
10    Eliza Klein
11    Isabella Mazzei
13    Zoe Curry (dvc)
14    Chloe Potts
16    Charlee Johnson
18 Bailee Martin
19    Skye Emery
23    Ava Philpin
26    Teagan Murtic
30    Grace Sharkie
32    Scarlett Bown
33 Storm Johnson
35    Annabelle Mackintosh
40    Jessica Owen
50    Cleo Barbakas
53    Ruby Douglas

CHANGES

A massive inclusion for the preliminary final is that of competition leading goalkicker Bailee Martin who missed last week’s victory over Sandringham. She returns to the side along with fellow Vic Metro representative forward Storm Johnson, with the pair replacing Hayley Columbine and Annabelle Roberts.

Dandenong Stingrays have only made one change with Jasmine Stephenson coming in for Jayde Pudney from last week.

KEY PLAYERS

Dandenong Stingrays

Dandenong has such a well-balanced side with the attacking end featuring the likes of Evelyn Connolly, Nalu Brothwell and Ruby Geurts, all of whom can hit the scoreboard and set others up. Alice Cunnington and Makhaela Bluhm will push forward and be options as well, while Charlotte Gilmore and Matilda Argus can hit the ground running and become distributors between midfield and attack. It all starts in defence for the Stingrays with Mizuki Brothwell and Scarlett Marsh using it well out of the back 50, while Lillian Snow is in great form both in the midfield and attack.

Oakleigh Chargers

The return of Martin provides the Chargers with a dominant three-tall attack of Martin, Scarlett Bown and Cleo Barbakas, while Johnson and Grace To can go to work at their feet. Lead by Vic Metro MVP Chloe Bown and skipper Chloe Thorn, the Chargers will test the Stingrays’ defensive structures, while bottom-agers Isabella Mazzei and Zoe Curry have been fantastic around the ball. Key defender Zara Neuwirth will undoubtedly have a big job, while Jessica Owen will look to get first hands on it at the stoppages.

PREDICTION

It actually looms as an absolute cracker. Oakleigh has had Dandenong’s measure in the past so one has to go with the Chargers, but it could well be the Stingrays’ best chance to get the visitors when playing at home in great form. Dandenong must make the most of its chances in front of goal regardless. Oakleigh by 15 points.