DANDENONG Stingrays’ unbeaten Talent League Girls season rolled on with another big win, this time over the Northern Knights at Shepley Oval. The Stingrays burst out of the blocks to pile on seven goals to one in the first term which set up a massive 17.12 (114) to 5.3 (33) victory with 11 individual goalkickers.

We took note of some of the players who caught the eye in the Round 18 match.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS:

#3 Scarlett Marsh
Midfielder | 162cm | 03/04/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 2 marks, 7 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals

Marsh was at her brilliant best on the weekend and really tore the game apart in the first term. She booted two goals in the opening quarter, the first starting at half-back where she delivered to the wing, kept running, won it back at half-forward and then finished with class going inside 50. Her second major was just as impressive but in a different way, reading the Knights’ kickout to perfection, intercepting and not breaking stride from 25 metres out, slotting another goal. Marsh continued to be a standout in the win, with clean hands through traffic and a desire to ensure her side kept the foot down for four quarters.

#10 Evi Irving
Defender | 167cm | 18/12/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Irving has become a real utility this season, having played between wing and midfield, and now the big-bodied ball-winner found a home in defence. She didn’t necessarily have a stack of the ball, but her impact was massive, constantly standing in the road and either intercepting in the air, or being an option for teammates via the handball receive. She drove the ball forward and once she gets front position in marking contests is so hard to move.

#11 Lily Brittain
Forward/Midfielder | 161cm | 26/01/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

The talented bottom-ager was lively in attack, before moving on-ball in the second half and using her speed and pressure in there as well. While under pressure she can turn the ball over, with any time or space she can inflict some serious damage, and her competitive nature is fantastic. Her hard-running earned herself a goal midway through the second term getting deep to the goalsquare and strolling in. A gifted player to watch for next year’s draft.

#12 Zoe Zach
Midfielder | 165cm | 09/12/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Zach played her role around the ball and used her strength at the coalface to work in tandem with Marsh, while also creating some run in transition. Though not explosive and got caught a couple of times early in the match, she worked hard to get involved on the outside as much as the inside, and had a really busy finish, hitting up multiple passes in the forward 50 during the last few minutes to want the scoreboard ticking over. Kicked a goal herself after reading the play to perfection and finishing nicely late in the first half.

#13 Marlee Black
Wing | 164cm | 14/05/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

The Stingrays’ skipper continues to just play her role to a t each week, running hard off a wing and pushing forward to be a scoring threat. She kicked a goal in the opening term after converting off a step, and then had multiple touches during the second term driving forward. Presented around the ground and linked up between the arcs.

#14 Annie Clish
Forward | 170cm | 25/05/2009

Stats: 10 disposals, 2 marks, 1 clearance, 2 goals, 1 behind

The classy bottom-ager was able to hit the scoreboard multiple times and set up some teammates, with her first coming early in the opening term off a quick snap and the second was a similar story late in the third term up the same end. She set up a goal to Simmons just before that, and also got involved in Brittain’s major with a nice weighted kick to the goalsquare, with no less than three direct goal assists on the day to go with Clish’s two majors.

#25 Jasmine Whitten
Forward | 160cm | 16/02/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 goals, 2 behinds

Whitten’s strong form over recent times continued with an impressive 20-disposal, four-goal game, as well as a number of other scoring opportunities. The Stingrays’ top-ager is great one-on-one, competitive in the air and at ground level, attacking the ball and opponent with great vigour, while also being able to convert her chances. Her two-way ability stands out and despite her size, she plays taller and will match up well against much bigger opponents.

#45 Amelia Hamod
Forward/Ruck | 186cm | 03/09/2009

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 13 hitouts, 7 clearances, 3 inside 50s

The tall left-footer rotated with Shiloh Little and Hannah Griffiths in the key position roles, and looked good with her vertical leap and ruck craft. She didn’t kick a goal herself – with a few set shots falling short or drifting into the breeze at different points, but she kept presenting, drew free kicks and looked dangerous throughout the four quarters.

#54 Misha Simmons
Forward | 170cm | 09/02/2010

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals, 3 behinds

Complementing the dominant Stingrays’ forward mix, Simmons had five scoring shots. While she only booted two goals – her first being an incredible snap from the boundary judging the breeze perfectly, and then her second off hands in the goalsquare – she continued to work hard and present. She showed good hands in the air and set up a couple of shots inside 50 to teammates.

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

#1 Somer McCormack
Midfielder | 162cm | 22/01/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 7 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s, 1 behind

The hard-running McCormack provided plenty of defensive pressure and won the bulk of her touches under immense pressure in congestion, feeding the ball out to teammates at stoppages. Her final execution at times by foot was a little hit and miss, but she set up some scoring chances and almost kicked a great goal from the top of 50, but the bounce went astray near the goalline.

#2 Maddison Meagher
Wing | 164cm | 02/08/2008

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

Meagher’s run-and-gun style was in full force, with the top-age talent kicking a marvellous goal in the first quarter. She bolted forward upon the turnover, won the ball at full stride and slammed home the Knights’ first goal in response to the Stingrays fast start. She had another couple of bursting runs down the outside, and once she is able to just get out of an opponent’s clutches, can quickly put metres on them. Her run is what sets her apart from other players, and while she can sometimes go too quick to deliver precise every time, she is always a threat to the opposition’s defensive zones.

#5 Lola Stone
Wing | 172cm | 27/05/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Stone held down the other wing role to Meagher and was able to hold a strong line and provide an outlet for both the inside ball-winners and the half-backs looking to switch. She had a couple of nice plays in transition, and also got her hands dirty when required. Provided a target around the ground and kept running all day, pumping the ball inside 50 to keep the pressure on the Stingrays’ backline.

#12 Deena Gerges
Midfielder/Forward | 175cm | 21/06/2010

Stats: 15 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

While it was not Gerges’ biggest game by any stretch, she rarely goes a match without a highlight, and her goal midway through the second term was exactly that. Judging the breeze perfectly and playing on instinct, Gerges was thrown to the ground but somehow got boot to ball and it curled in with precision. She had another chance late in the match which missed to the right.

#17 Alli Allen
Defender/Midfielder | 172cm | 15/10/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 12 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

The combative Vic Metro MVP was tough as nails as always, and got her on-ball chance in the second half, keeping close tabs on Marsh who was running amok in there. She ensured that she put body on her fellow top-ager, but then peeled off to try and find her own ball at the same time. She was hit and miss with her kicking – usually going into the dangerous spots that could prove costly – but her competitiveness in the air and fantastic defensive work ensured that the opposition had to be wary of her forcing turnovers and getting the ball moving quickly the other way.