SANDRINGHAM Dragons secured an impressive 7.11 (53) to 5.4 (34) victory over Tasmania Devils on the Apple Isle in Round 16 of the Talent League Girls competition. The Dragons took control of the match by kicking the first four goals of the second half to establish a commanding five-goal lead, before the Devils fought back with a couple of late consolation majors to reduce the final margin to 19 points.

We took note of some of the players from both sides who caught the eye. All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

TASMANIA DEVILS:

#2 Evie Ward
Defender/Midfielder | 172cm | 29/10/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 6 rebound 50s

The National Academy member returned from her Allies representation to slot into the defensive half, then have a midfield rotation throughout the game which included starting on-ball for the fourth term. Ward’s reading of the play and positioning in the back half was impressive, and she competed both in the air and at ground level. Having a knack for pushing up to stoppages even when stationed in defence was important, and while her precision by foot is still inconsistent, her lateral movement and clean hands stand out more often than not.

#6 Matilda Lange
Midfielder/Forward | 170cm | 30/01/2008

Stats: 42 disposals, 5 marks, 12 tackles, 8 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals

Lange might well have beaten her own benchmark performance as the outing of the year, slamming home two consecutive goals and racking up video game numbers out of the midfield and rotating forward. Coming off an MVP-winning carnival with the Allies, the pick one favourite in next year’s draft was simply a class above and almost single-handedly got her side back into it when she booted two goals in the second term and set up a third. A remarkable performance who was as good on the inside as she was on the outside, and impacted both offensively and defensively.

#7 Evie Bingham
Forward/Midfielder | 172cm | 16/06/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 marks, 10 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Tassie’s other National Academy member started forward and then also rolled through the middle, with her defensive traits and repeat efforts on display. She showed slick hands at speed coming out of attack, and won a holding the ball free kick on Duane at one point, though also got pinged holding the ball herself trying a similar fend-off technique earlier in the game. Had a set shot on goal from 40 metres that drifted wide for a behind.

#8 Olivia Lyons
Defender | 174cm | 20/07/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

The bottom-age defender played her role in the back half and was often tasked with kicking out or being the next distributor from defence. Lyons has a natural competitiveness that she brings each game and her strength one-on-one stands out, enabling her to play on a variety of talls or smalls. While most of her touches did come from kickouts thanks to Sandringham’s inaccuracy, she gave the Devils a real shot to clear the danger zone with her long right boot.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#2 Grace McIntyre
Forward/Wing | 173cm | 31/12/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

It was a little bit of a different role for McIntyre who found herself playing forward rather than a pure wing position. While she was spotted mopping up in defence on occasion when required, the bulk of the Vic Metro representative’s touches came inside 50. She finished with two goals with a mark and set shot major during the second term, as well as a point-blank six-pointer late in the third quarter. In the same term she set up a goal to Charlotte Embelton and was busy throughout the match, showing off her aerial strength and defensive intent, winning 15 disposals across her last three quarters.

#5 Grace Perrett
Midfielder | 178cm | 08/04/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 14 tackles, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 behind

A powerful player who used her strength and frame around the coalface effectively, Perrett was a tackling machine on the Apple Isle, while also taking som important grabs when needing to float back behind the ball. She predominantly remained around the contest, and her 14 tackles combined with her six clearances give an insight into what she does so well in that role. She has a booming kick which can breakdown defensive zones, and is just a no-fuss player capable of slotting into any position.

#7 Luella Hall
Wing/Defender | 173cm | 17/10/2009

Stats: 7 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 4 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Unfortunately Hall finished the game worse for wear during the third term after being pinged for holding the ball coming off half-back, but prior to that she was the one threatening to produce a highlight reel for the ages. In one of the best individual plays of the year, Hall gathered at half-back and took multiple bounces streaming down the middle past a stack of Devils players who Hall made look like they were stationary. Her elite 20-metre sprint at the preseason was on display in what was essentially a 100-metre dash, and while her subsequent shot missed – due to being bumped – it was still a ridiculous run. Prior to going down she did well linking up between the arcs.

#20 Maya Duane
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 16/03/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 7 marks, 3 tackles, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 5 behinds

It was a mixed bag for the talented Duane who always threatened to have a massive day, with her booming kick, extraction ability and competitive nature on full display. Garnering plenty of attention from opposition midfielders and defenders, Duane gave away a few undisciplined free kicks in response, while also finishing with five behinds. Outside of that, it was a strong performance from the talented Vic Metro rep, who was so difficult to beat in the air, and strong at ground level where the bulk of her fend-offs and powerful bursts through tackles usually paid off. Has all the potential in the world if she can put it together.

#47 Georgia Naughton
Forward | 164cm | 06/06/2010

Stats: 11 disposals, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

The Under 16s prospect provided a marking target in the forward 50 and did a good job at finding space and being an option in transition. She worked up the ground at different points – even marking at half-back during the third term – and continually battled hard at ground level too. Her reward for effort came in the final term when she marked 30 metres out and converted the goal with five minutes remaining in the match, the last Dragons’ major of the game.