OAKLEIGH Chargers got back on the winners’ list after a tough start to the year given their fixtures, defeating Western Jets by 35 points at Warrawee Park. The Chargers lead all throughout he game, and kicked away with four third quarter goals to seal the victory as some usual suspects stood up despite Oakleigh missing its two National Academy members.

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

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#3 Cleo Barbakas
Ruck/Forward | 182cm | 07/01/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 tackles, 16 hitouts, 11 clearances, 4 inside 50s

What a season the bottom-ager is having, with Barbakas dominating out of the ruck, not just with her tap work, but follow-up effort as well. She even tapped it to herself before clearing the ball at times, and had double-digit clearances which is not foreign to her abilities. She went forward at times and had some looks, though her best kick set up D’Intini for a goal in the first term. Though she dropped a mark or two she would normally take, her ground level work was a huge plus, and she was best on ground again for her dominance around the stoppages.

#11 Isabella Mazzei
Midfielder | 169cm | 06/06/2008

Stats: 26 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 8 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 behind

After missing last week, Mazzei returned to the Chargers’ lineup and you could notice the difference around the contest as he clearance ability is as good as anyone’s in the competition. She wins it first, second or third possession from a stoppage, and her combination of strength and explosiveness makes her so difficult to bring down, usually requiring multiple opponents. Her disposal was better in the game, with her hands always ultra-clean and her ground coverage superb. Was a key player for the Chargers, and arguably next best behind Barbakas

#17 Scarlett Bown
Tall Forward | 179cm | 22/09/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 3 goals

Has threatened to do damage this season and was able to inflict it against the Jets with three goals and some other chances. She does not need a lot of touches to influence a game, and after kicking her first from a lead in the second term, kicked two more deeper forward including one in the last quarter where she got boot to ball on the line under immediate pressure. She continually presents, and is quick to recover once the ball hits the deck, has plenty of progression left in her for the future as well.

#30 Abigail D’Intini

Stats: 11 disposals, 6 marks, 1 tackle, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals

After kicking a goal last week on debut, D’Intini kicked two in the win over the Jets. Her first was from a relatively straightforward set shot just outside the goalsquare after a mark, while her second was as good of a goal as you’re likely to see at the level. Under pressure on the boundary about to be tackled, D’Intini threw it on the left boot and watched as it incredibly bounced home, with even her opponents appreciating the special nature of the kick. Presented up the ground as well to provide Bown with some good looks on goal, and continued to bob up as a player that caught the eye.

#31 Sophia Green
Defender | 170cm | 22/11/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 rebound 50s

While Green has been a versatile utility for the Chargers, she honed into a defensive role against the Jets, mopping up and distributing out of the back 50. Her work rate and elite endurance helped her push until the final siren, beating opponents to contests to win it and try and clear the ball to safety. Able to use both sides of her body, her kicking was hit and miss, with some unfortunate turnovers later in the clash, such as one where battling against multiple opponents unfortunately landed with McHutchison who snapped a goal. Always attacks it with a nice burst to try and win it back for her team though.

#36 Molly Phillips
Forward | 165cm | 01/10/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Phillips continues to show up and put her best foot forward, with the top-ager backing into a marking contest courageous early in the game, and even when tackled fiercely, bounced back up and focused fully on winning the next touch. While the forward could have some more polish with her touches, she gets to the right spots consistently, and benefited with a close-range goal eight minutes into the third term.

#51 Cate Deayton

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 2 goals, 2 behinds

Deayton is a player who has been building over her first month of Talent League football, consistently winning the same amount of ball, but gradually having greater impact on the scoreboard. After kicking her first goal last week, Deayton had four scoring shots in the win against the Jets, booting two goals in the third term and almost kicking a third too. Set up some chances, and though the youngster is light in stature, reads the play well and looks dangerous.

WESTERN JETS:

#2 Addison West
Midfielder | 167cm | 16/05/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 8 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Had her fair share of the ball – though nothing compared to other weeks – but was mostly noted for her off-ball work and defensive pressure. She covered the ground well, got involved in transitional chains, and though her effectiveness by foot was down compared to her massive game the week before, West does not drop off in terms of her running. Her quick and clean hands were still there and she played full-time mid but bobbed up all over the field.

#4 Ruby Jones
Midfielder | 172cm | 02/03/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 rebound 50

Jones has grown into the midfield role since transferring from a wing, and had a lot of link-up handballs in the game. Quite often she would win the pill under immense pressure and flick it out to a teammate, and while her efficiency was down, her contest-to-contest work and pressure was terrific. Continued to battle on across all four quarters.

#5 Tayla Olivieri
Midfielder | 160cm | 14/02/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 10 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals, 1 behind

Ignoring numbers, it seemed like this was one of Oliveri’s more impactful games in the 2026 season. She has never shied away from a contest, and thrives on the inside ball, but her ability to drift forward on turnovers and find space to get into the right spots and convert, was important. She kicked both her goals from doing just that, one late in the first term and another in the third quarter, that, even when playing on-ball, she summed up the situation well and got forward. Has nice burst speed and can dance around opponents, just has to iron out the final execution at times.

#6 Paige McHutchison
Tall Forward | 175cm | 04/09/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 3 marks, 9 tackles, 2 hitouts, 1 clearance, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

It took until teh final minute for McHutchison to be rewarded on the scoreboard when she intercepted a Green handball close to goal and snapped home a major, but she worked hard throughout the game to get involved. A strong overhead presence, McHutchison also applied terrific groundlevel pressure, and though she has areas to work on, can be that more complete tall forward.

#7 Jacinta Eteuati
Defender | 169cm | 27/05/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 6 rebound 50s

Attacked the ball with vigour and showed some powerful bursts to break through tackles in the back half, while also standing up in tackles to dish off. Her final execution was a little hit and miss, but she flew to compete in the air and applied pressure at ground level, while driving the ball from defence in a good one-two punch with Boyd. Has upside given her strength/speed combination.

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

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Predominately played in defence other than rotating on-ball occasionally, Boyd showed off her knack for reading the play exceptionally well, and driving the ball from defence. She was able to get her hands dirty both in the air – such as a spoil early in the game – and at ground level – with seven tackles – but her determination to look to grass to kick it to for teammates to run onto was evident.