NORTHERN Territory had a busy long weekend travelling to Victoria, winning two from two across Thursday and Sunday at Highgate Recreation Reserve in the Talent League Girls competition. Our first of two scouting notes on their matches centre around the impressive victory over the Calder Cannons under lights, 9.7 (61) to 2.4 (16).

While the Cannons were missing a host of first-choice talents due to the Victorian Under 18 trials, both sides had some players stand up in the contest.

CALDER CANNONS:

#1 Charli Calleia
Defender/Midfielder | 169cm | 28/10/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Forever bringing the hardness around the contest, the reliable defender consistently stood up and kept cracking in with the ball finding itself in her vicinity time and time again. She rolled up the ground at different points such as being able to take a quick shot on goal from 15m out but was touched on the line. Efficiency was low by foot but desire was incredible, racking up a game-high nine hardball gets in the slippery contest.

#6 Lily Frangoulis
Forward/Midfielder | 152cm | 20/04/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Frangoulis is one of those players with some eye-catching talent with a mix of smarts and defensive pressure that you love to see. While her size will always been an issue for top flight clubs, her game itself is really solid and she throws herself around regardless of the opposition. A neat user generally, Frangoulis did well in the wet underfoot conditions, and finished with a team-high 25 touches, largely contested.

#15 Chloe Bullen
Defender/Forward | 170cm | 15/01/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Started the game in defence for the first half, and with the Cannons struggling to score, was thrown forward in the second half. There, she immediately made her presence felt with a goal from close range, and then almost kicked a second after a nice fend-off and snap around the body at the top of the goalsquare. Brough the heat and used her stronger frame to advantage in the loss.

#40 Victoria Goudy
Midfielder | 173cm | 14/01/2010

Stats: 20 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Started on-ball and covered the ground well, finding plenty of the ball for the home side. The double bottom-ager got more responsibility with some of her older teammates out of the side, and she continually popped up between the arcs, being a target even if she could not mark. The conditions did make it a little tricky, but she continued to work hard and remain involved.

NORTHERN TERRITORY:

#1 Lailanie Rioli
Forward/Midfielder | 159cm | 19/08/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

The crafty small with the famous footballing surname started forward and rotated through the middle, even winning a centre clearance when doing so in the second term, leading to a Territory goal. She kicked one herself off the deck out of nothing showing her smarts, while also showing quick hands from congestion throughout the contest.

#2 Taniesha John-Forest
Forward | 155cm | 20/05/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

Another exceptionally smart small forward who pops up in the front half but can take a grab as well, John-Forest kicked two early goals to get the visitors up and about. Her natural footy IQ to get to the right spot for the first major broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the game, and then she positioned herself well to mark and convert from close range not long after. Her first quarter was huge, and while she missed a couple of genuine chances to add to her tally, was busy in the win.

#3 Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn
Forward/Midfielder | 157cm | 22/11/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 10 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals

The over-ager showed her experience over a lot of her teammates, having note only represented the Allies, but also South Adelaide in the SANFLW, and this year, Western Jets. She is a phenomenal two-way player who can hit the scoreboard and also pressure opposition defenders, which is exactly what she did. Her one-arm pinning tackles are a highlight, and Gardiner-Dunn even got her chance to play on-ball in the second term. She kicked a couple of majors in the second term to match John-Forest and remained a serious threat in the front half of the ground.

#7 Layla May
Midfielder | 159cm | 14/05/2009

Stats: 28 disposals, 4 marks, 10 tackles, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Another sub-160cm pressure player who has some natural talent around the ball and in transition, May has shown her ability to play on any line and run out games well which is a point of difference. Her clearance work – particularly via quick hands out of the stoppage – and ability to work into space, allowed her to rack up a game-high 28 disposals. She also laid 10 tackles and was fierce on the inside, but that extraction element and knack for running in waves with her teammates, contributed to the victory.

#8 Peggy Rock
Midfielder/Forward | 166cm | 20/07/2009

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 10 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Of all the names from the Top End to watch out for next year – in what looms as potentially the region’s best AFLW Draft crop – Rock is the one to circle and underline. Her ferocious pressure, consistent production rate and ability to inflict maximum damage around the ground is second to none. She has a serious sidestep that can get her out of trouble in a phone booth, while the remarkably rare ability to use both sides of her body. Her strength is a highlight, and she had 21 disposals to three quarter time before being rotated forward, but was on track to get near 30.

#10 Kayla Ilett
Forward | 174cm | 18/12/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles, 1 hitout, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals

Provided a target inside 50, and while Ilett can be that marking machine, she can cope just as well at ground level. She booted two first half goals and was as busy as anyone on the ground, racking up 14 disposals. Had minimal opportunities in the second half as the game evened out and became a real scrap for possession, but her second term of seven disposals, three marks and a goal was a standout 20 minutes.

#15 Grace Anstess
Defender/Midfielder | 175cm | 10/04/2010

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

The headline Northern Territory talent from the 2028 AFLW Draft crop, Anstess had already gained her experience with Sandringham Dragons this season and will return to the side later in the Talent League Girls season. A great size at 175cm, she can play just about anywhere, but largely rotates between defence and midfield where she reads the ball well and competes in the air. Her positioning is usually spot on, and while she barely saw it in the first half given the ball was up the other end, had 12 touches in the second half as she was able to get proactive and show off her long boot and aggressive playstyle.