AN ALL-COUNTRY battle between Gippsland Power and Dandenong Stingrays saw the latter come away with the 19-point win at Morwell, kicking three goals to one in the final term in what was ultimately the difference between the two sides. The Stingrays held sway at each break after scores were level at quarter time, but it took until midway through the last term to kick clear and enjoy the victory, 8.11 (59) to 6.4 (40).

We took note of some of the players from each side that caught the eye.

GIPPSLAND POWER:

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

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Milner was reliable across multiple roles, contributing at both ends of the ground. She showed her defensive versatility early with a strong intercept mark in the back pocket and a long kick to the wing, and her goal just before half-time – marking at the top of the goalsquare and converting – was a timely contribution in a tight game. A set shot from 40 metres in the first term pushed to the right, but her strong overhead work and ability to get into the right positions was very impressive.

#10 Grace Dillow
Midfielder | 164cm | 03/06/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

Dillow was one of Gippsland’s best, showing her contested quality and composure in front of goal. A score assist with a slick handball in the first term and the ability to disrupt the Stingrays’ centre clearances reflected her work rate, while two goals and one narrow miss form a similar angle showed genuine forward craft. Has begun the season in fine form and while only recording the one clearance, did a lot of great defensive work when not up forward kicking goals.

#34 Elizabeth Sowden
Defender | 176cm | 22/12/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 6 rebound 50s

The bottom-aged Sowden stood tall in the back 50, showing fantastic physicality and commitment throughout, winning a free kick for being held and converting effectively, and taking a strong intercept mark at half-back before driving it into the central corridor. Her work rate and willingness to compete in one-on-one situations were consistent features of a strong individual performance in a losing side. One to watch as the season develops.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS:

#3 Scarlett Marsh
Midfielder/Defender | 162cm | 03/04/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Marsh was smooth and consistent through the middle, doing her best work off the ruck taps and in transition. Her intercept at half-forward in the first term that created a dangerous inside 50 was her most impactful moment, and a clean handball off the ruck tap in the third term back to Mehrmann showed her awareness of the game around her. Found the ball consistently across all four quarters and was just solid across the board.

#5 Gabrielle Mehrmann
Key Defender/Ruck | 180cm | 11/09/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 11 hitouts, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The Dandenong skipper started in her familiar key defensive post then moved into the ruck for the second half where she more than held her own. Mehrmann pushed up the ground aggressively to be an option on the wing and showed good hands when the ball came her way. Her intercept mark on the goalline in the first term was a critical defensive act, and she consistently worked the ball into dangerous areas when winning hitouts, particularly in the third term where the first tap went directly to Marsh and kept the chain moving forward.

#8 Charlotte Gilmore
Midfielder/Wing | 172cm | 21/12/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 3 behinds

Gilmore was one of Dandenong’s busiest players, driving forward consistently with five inside 50s. Three behinds was a frustration – opportunities left behind in a game that was close throughout – but her work rate and competitive pressure, including a fierce tackle at half-forward in the final term when the contest was tight, reflected a player who kept generating for her side even when the scoreboard didn’t fully reward her.

#10 Evi Irving
Wing | 167cm | 18/12/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 6 marks, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Irving was clean and composed across the wing, with six marks reflecting her ability to read the ball in flight. Two intercept marks at half-forward in the second term – the second converted inside 50 – were the highlights of her afternoon, and her good mark at half-back followed by a quick dish-off and follow-up showed her two-way running. Consistent and reliable across all four quarters.

#11 Lily Brittain
Wing/Midfielder | 161cm | 26/01/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 goal

The bottom-ager was excellent in a tight game, showing competitiveness in both directions and capping her day with a composed goal from 45 metres on the run with an open goalsquare – receiving at the top of 50, running onto it and launching with real confidence. Her low, penetrating kick after winning a free kick in the first term set up a scoring opportunity, and her reading of the play off a set-piece ruck move to create another chance was a smart piece of football. A naturally gifted player who will provide a great inside-outside balance going forward.

#12 Zoe Zach
Midfielder | 165cm | 09/08/2008

Stats: 27 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 4 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 behinds

Zach was a key player in the Stingrays’ engine and their best player across a tight four quarters. A courageous intercept mark in attacking 50 in the third term was her most impressive individual moment, and a sliding mark in the 13th minute followed by a great kick forward showed her clean ball use under pressure. A game-high 27 disposals and four clearances showed her ability to fill that midfield role after being a defender in her bottom-age season.

#14 Annie Clish
Forward | 170cm | 25/05/2009

Stats: 8 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 3 goals, 1 behind

The bottom-ager is the kind of forward who only needs a split second to inflict maximum damage. Clish’s three goals from eight disposals is a conversion rate that reflects rare instinct and vision inside 50. She took her chances cleanly and was a constant threat on the lead, with her ability to mark and release before the defence could recover a consistent feature. The one blemish was a missed set shot from 15 metres that was the easiest of her chances on the day. A name to remember over the next 18 months.

#26 Ella Bologa
Defender/Midfielder | 161cm | 10/09/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

The bottom-ager continued to impress with her vision and decision making. She consistently looks for the best option rather than the easy one – a wonderful corridor kick, a clever tap to a free teammate at half-back in the first term, and a charging run out of defence in the final term that set up a goal with a penetrating kick inside 50. One of those players whose 13 disposals are more like 20-plus such is her impact.

#39 Ebony Stevenson
Midfielder | 160cm | 27/10/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50

Stevenson was a willing and competitive contributor with good football instincts — a burst out of defence in the third term, winning it again at the next stoppage, and smart positioning in the final term to mark a dump kick inside 50 before delivering a tidy short pass were highlights. One area of development is her opposite left side as she tends to go exclusively checkside off the right, which is something to build on as the season goes on.