GEELONG Falcons took the chocolates in a rare Talent League Girls twilight clash, with the Falcons and Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels battling it out at Werribee under lights. In a tight contest that was marred by inaccuracy, the sides combined for 11.24 (90) with the Falcons coming out on top, 8.13 (61) to 3.11 (29) largely thanks to four of the last five goals once the Rebels drew within 12 points midway through the premiership quarter.

The match saw the debut of double bottom-ager Peggy Rock who has moved from the NT and fresh off another MVP with Northern Territory. She teamed up at the Rebels and was huge combining alongside Vic Country hub top-age members, Lila Evans and Milly Shortal. Ava Bilyk was best on ground, though, reminding everyone of just how classy she can be in all conditions.

We took note of some of the players who caught the eye in the clash.

GEELONG FALCONS:

#5 Ava Bilyk
Midfielder | 169cm | 07/07/2008

Stats: 32 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 7 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Bilyk produced the kind of performance that serves as a reminder of just how good she can be. Clean by hand and foot, smart in her intercept reads, composed in front of goal and tireless across four quarters – she drove the Falcons all day. A weighted kick to the goalsquare for a goal assist and a composed set shot from straight in front in the second term were the highlights, while her final-term output of repeated charges out of defensive 50 underlined her endurance. Bilyk is all class and is ready to bounce back from an interrupted 2025 campaign.

#16 Ksenia Dear
Midfielder | 167cm | 05/08/2009

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

Dear was industrious and impactful without putting up eye-catching numbers, doing her best work in the contested areas. Her standout moment came in the first term – a strong tackle on Shortal inside 50 for a holding-the-ball free, followed immediately by a pinpoint kick to Bilyk that showed real composure under pressure. Six tackles and five inside 50s from 14 disposals, Dear showed she has a nice blend of smarts and strength.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 marks, 8 tackles, 1 hitout, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal, 4 behinds

The AFLW National Academy member announced herself with a flying snap goal in the opening 25 seconds and never stopped competing. The scoreboard was less kind than her performance deserved – a poster, a drifting set shot and two further narrow misses – but her impact went well beyond her own scoring. A couple of goal assists, eight tackles and a smart smother in the forward pocket to keep the ball in play showed the full scope of her game. She is most dangerous when combining her aerial marking with that relentless pressure work.

GWV REBELS:

#6 Peggy Rock (GWV Rebels)
Forward/Midfielder | 169cm | 20/07/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 2 marks, 14 tackles, 4 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Adding another Northern Territory AFLW U16s MVP to her CV last weekend, Rock got to make her Talent League debut and brought the same amount of elite defensive pressure. She was relentless from the opening term, harassing opponents across the forward half, creating scoring chains and showing real forward craft in her delivery and ball use. A fantastic tackle on Bilyk late in the game to win a holding-the-ball free was the standout of many pressure acts. The disposal numbers don’t fully capture her impact – 14 tackles and six inside 50s in a losing side is a performance all of its own.

#9 Lila Evans
Midfielder | 166cm | 30/08/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Evans combined strong disposal numbers with eight tackles and genuine two-way impact. Her goal was the moment of the game – a ripping snap from the pocket while off balance that showed real forward instinct – while her spoil on Bilyk and a late smother in the middle reflected her defensive contribution. Continued to drive inside 50 deep into the final term to keep the pressure up. A genuine workhorse in a difficult evening for the Rebels.

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

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Shortal worked hard through a tough contest, with her best sequence coming off two consecutive intercept marks – one at the top of 50 driven deep, one on the attacking 50 – that showed her read of the play coming off the contest. She got boot to ball while being tackled on multiple occasions – though her efficiency was down for the match – and continued driving forward late regardless of the scoreline. Her individual traits were consistently evident even when the team was under pressure.