A FULL-STRENGTH Oakleigh Chargers outfit proved far too good for a Geelong Falcons side missing a huge chunk of its top-end talent, running away with an 80-point win and keeping the Falcons goalless for the entire match. Cate Deayton and Bailee Martin combined for 9.5 during the game, as the Chargers secured a 13.10 (88) to 0.8 (8) victory at Western Oval in North Geelong.

We took note of some of the players who caught the eye, with some future draftable prospects the focus for the Falcons.

GEELONG FALCONS:

#6 Ruby Hunter
Tall Forward | 176cm | 06/05/2010

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 5 hitouts, 3 inside 50s, 2 behinds

Hunter’s stats might not look crash hot on paper compared to some others, but she kept popping up and providing a marking target in the front half for her side. Only young having turned 16 two months ago, Hunter has a lot of promise in her game with her leading and also ability to apply pressure at ground level post-contest. Could have made a greater dent on the scoreboard with two behinds, but showed enough to suggest there is plenty of upside to come.

#18 Marlie Collett
Wing | 169cm | 05/10/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 7 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The hard-running bottom-age wing always provides transitional drive between the arcs, and it was no different during the loss to Oakleigh. She spread well, provided a link-up target and continually drove the ball inside 50 to try and five her side a scoring chance. Collett boasts a neat sidestep as well as an effective kick and had some nice moments.

#34 Remy Sliwa
Tall Defender | 175cm | 12/05/2010

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Another double bottom-ager who showed promising signs in a defence that was under siege at times, Sliwa was confident in the air and productive with her gameplay. She was not just worried about shutting down her opponent, but also providing a counterpunch for the Falcons out of the back half. With greater defensive midfield support when the team is at full strength, Sliwa could add even greater drive and compliment the onballers.

#37 Emilia Evans
Midfielder | 164cm | 17/02/2010

Stats: 19 disposals, 8 tackles, 4 clearances, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Evans is one of those players who just has a crack. She will feast on the contested ball, apply enormous defensive pressure and continue to work hard throughout the four quarters. A third 2010-born talent in the notes, Evans was arguably her side’s most consistent across the match and found the ball in all thirds of the ground. Her polish can improve, but she’s clean in traffic and won’t die wondering the way she attacks each contest.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 1 mark, 8 tackles, 14 hitouts, 6 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

Starting in the ruck then rotating forward, Barbakas was most impressive outside the contest, playing more like a smaller prospect with her ability to win the ball around the ground. She still cracked in and racked up the clearances, and while she did concede hitouts to her taller opponent Lexi Whateley, Barbakas took the points around the ground comfortably, and kicked a couple of goals including a nice dribble from the pocket when Martin was double-teamed and then a snap from the ruck two minutes into the third term.

#5 Isabelle Godfrey
Wing | 162cm | 11/08/2008

Stats: 26 disposals, 2 marks, 10 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Godfrey has been one of the most consistent wings in the league this year and her numbers stack up. The Vic Metro representative has a two-way impact about her game and that was on full display over the weekend. Godfrey’s lateral movement, defensive pressure and ability to take metres and put the ball into dangerous spots all culminate in a really handy profile. She accumulated the most disposals in the game which both told a story of how Oakleigh was able to transition to the outside, and Godfrey’s ability to find space and win the ball.

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

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 tackles, 7 clearances, 1 inside 50

Strong at the coalface with a point-of-difference burst, Mazzei’s consistent year rolled on. Her clean hands under pressure and strength when confronted were key features, as the experienced Oakleigh midfield simply bullied the young Falcons side. Doubling Geelong’s clearance ability 36-18, Mazzei was a key part of that, accumulating a game-high seven clearances as she and Curry looked unbeatable at times, and constantly put pressure on the opposition defence by getting the ball into space.

#13 Zoe Curry
Midfielder/Forward | 172cm | 09/10/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Often firing out handballs with opposition players hanging off her, Curry was enormous around the ball and it was made even more impressive by the fact she missed a fair chunk of the first term after landing awkwardly and being helped from the field. Her 18 disposals across the final three quarters told a story of the All-Australian’s season, as she shook off any soreness to play a key part in the win, and apply some huge tackles with textbook technique.

#18 Bailee Martin
Tall Forward | 176cm | 03/09/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 3 goals, 2 behinds

Looking at the respective experience of the lineups, all eyes were on the pick one favourite against a young defensive unit, and Geelong ensured that in 90 per cent of the contests, Martin was covered by at least two opponents. That allowed others such as Deayton and Barbakas to hit the scoreboard instead, but Martin still had what would be determined as a strong game. She booted three from 21 touches, constantly reading the ball in flight well and getting to the spots, often not fussed by the extra attention and instead being the first to win the ball at ground level and set up her teammates. She had a number of team-first players to allow others to flourish, and had her moments during the third term where she booted a couple of majors by being in the right place at the right time.

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

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 6 rebound 50s

Green was one of the most productive players in the first term, holding a high line and intercepting anything that came her way. While the bulk of the play was up the other end, Green positioned herself effectively to be there to mop up any time it went into the back 50 and she was proactive with her play as well. At times her kicking is real hit-and-miss, with her decision making good but her final execution at times a little off kilter. Her defensive pressure both at ground level in the air is always a tick, and while the game was more chaos-driven in her zone with Geelong’s entries, she adapted well.

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 behinds

The top-ager just continues to produce reliable performances week-in, week-out and the Round 17 match was no exception. Phillips covered the ground well and transitioned between the arcs, working up from half-forward and then delivering inside 50 to set up a number of scoring chances. Her final execution can be a little erratic at times, but her pressure and repeat contest work is terrific, and she even had a few chances on goal.

#51 Cate Deayton
Tall Forward | 175cm | 26/08/2010

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 6 goals, 3 behinds

Clearly best on ground with half a dozen goals, Deayton benefited from the work Geelong did on Martin, allowing her space in almost exclusively one-on-one contests. Incredibly, Deayton had five goals just six minutes into the second term – including three in those six minutes for the quarter – and people were reaching for the record books. That didn’t quite eventuate as she only added one more major – 30 seconds into the third quarter – and missed a few gettable chances. However her presentation on leads, ability to work into space and dynamic movement inside 50 were all promising signs for the double bottom-ager.