WINNING their third game of the Talent League Girls season, Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels edged ahead in the race for fourth spot in the Country pool, defeating Bendigo Pioneers by 19 points at Mars Stadium. As has been the case of late, the Pioneers started strongly to lead 15-0 at quarter time, before the Rebels booted 7.3 to 1.5 after quarter time in the 7.3 (45) to 3.8 (26) victory.

We took note of some of the players who caught the eye from both sides.

GWV REBELS:

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

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 11 tackles, 7 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The top Northern Territory prospect for next year brought her usual aggression and defensive intent to the match, and was a standout around the ball for the losing side. Her knack for using both sides of her body and squeezing out kicks in tight spaces is such an asset, even if at times she can tend to bomb it on the boot just to clear the area. With any time or space she does so much damage, and her combined sidestep and power make her a difficult player to stop.

#10 Sarah Burton
Forward/Midfielder | 11/02/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 9 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 4 goals, 1 behind

The bottom-ager Burton has played some pretty impressive football of late, and it culminated in a standout four-goal game against the Pioneers. She is capable of playing across all three lines, but her work in front of the big sticks really stood out. She booted two goals in the second term and two in the fourth, utilising the Mars Stadium breeze perfectly, including her quick snap out of nothing just seconds before the final siren. Three of her four goals were snaps, and the other was a classy finish on the run, always getting into good positions, while applying the required pressure without the ball as well.

#17 Milly Shortal
Midfielder/Defender | 175cm | 24/06/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 6 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Spending the bulk of her time in the midfield aside from when Bendigo had the breeze in the third quarter, the Vic Country tall defender was able to use her bigger frame around the stoppages to break clear of smaller opponents and thump it long. She takes grass and will gain serious meterage on anything she gets her boot too, and showed a similar level of aggression in her tackles to Rock. Converted a set shot goal after intercepting a dump kick in the forward 50 to add her name to the goalkickers’ list.

#32 Tessa Wilson
Defender | 160cm | 10/06/2010

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

Only in her debut Talent League Girls season, Wilson showed some promising signs under heat in the defensive 50, including a terrific run-down tackle on Mia Clark in the second term that was a goal-saver. She was clean at ground level and brought much needed pressure at ground level, and overall played her role in transitioning out of the back 50.

#33 Tilly McErlain
Utility | 166cm | 11/05/2010

Stats: 15 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The talented Under 16s Vic Country representative did not necessarily have a lot of looks when forward, but is developing into one of those players who has the licence to roam up and down the ground and get into the right spots to intercept and use her pace. Her defensive pressure is fantastic, and what stands out is her one-on-one ability. Not tall like a key position player, McErlain is well versed in using her strength to nudge her opponent under the ball or out of the way to then create space where the ball will drop and she can then take it away.

BENDIGO PIONEERS:

#6 Sage Dennis
Utility | 161cm | 22/08/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Always a fierce competitor, Dennis started each quarter on-ball as her top-age teammates rotated from midfield to defence, while she herself spent time deeper in attack, as well as aiding in the backline, depending on the quarter and situation. The bottom-ager has nice strength for her size, always brings tackling pressure and has some natural footy smarts, getting to the right spot inside 50 to capitalise on a looseball in the goalsquare during the first term. Under pressure she can rush her disposals, but with time and space can hit those nice 45s and get the transitional game happening.

#8/13 Georgia Garlick
Forward/Defender | 270cm | 01/07/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 3 behinds

Garlick worked incredibly hard playing forward – before being thrown down to her more familiar role down back – by covering plenty of ground outside the forward 50. She had a number change later in the match, was able to soccer home a nice goal from a metre out after she read the kick in exceptionally well, and had another couple of shots at the big sticks throughout the match. The Pioneers need her down back with that trusty left foot, but she does bring the forward pressure and scoreboard looks, just needs a touch more luck.

#9 Beth Morris
Midfielder/Defender | 167cm | 04/09/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

While Morris predominantly played on-ball for the match, the top-ager’s venture as a defender for a secondary position continued with some valuable minutes in quarter two. She found plenty of the ball in that role, and got into the right positions to intercept, taking a number of strong marks and then sending the ball back down the field. Might not have the polish of others and a couple of times the ball spilt from her hands when on the move, but keeps cracking in, applies defensive pressure and is ultra-comfortable in congestion.

#12 Issy Boulton
Midfielder | 160cm | 21/05/2007

Stats: 32 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles, 8 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 1 behind

The over-ager has benefited from her Vic Country teammates adding extra strings to their bow this season and against the Rebels, was able to grab a full-time midfield gig. She had the ball on a string, won it on the inside, outside, up forward or down back, using her elite running capacity to full advantage. Her vision and then execution with time and space allows her to pick out targets downfield, and she is capable of breaking tackles with more strength than you might think at 160cm.

#14 Lacey Nihill
Defender/Midfielder | 172cm | 01/05/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 4 marks, 8 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Nihill is having a sneaky big top-age season to follow on from her wonderfully-strong bottom-age year. It might get lost by the fact Bendigo has struggled, but the amount of work the talented utility puts in is phenomenal. She runs hard, takes multiple bounces in space, breaks lines and has really improved her kicking throughout the course of the year, nailing some great pass going inside 50. Unfortunately her teammates missed their chances which would have been frustrating given the work she put in, but there’s no denying she is having a brilliant year and has some eye-catching traits.