GEELONG Falcons notched up back-to-back wins with their star power in-tow as they defeated rivals Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels by 32 points at Leopold Memorial Reserve for Round 19 of the Talent League Girls competition. The Falcons had 17 scoring shots to five in a scrappy, muddy contest that saw 202 tackles laid in the 5.12 (42) to 1.4 (10) game.

We took note of some of the top performers, focusing on a handful of Vic Country representatives.

GEELONG FALCONS:

#5 Ava Bilyk
Midfielder | 169cm | 07/07/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 10 tackles, 1 hitout, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

The Vic Country Under 18s MVP has had bigger games, but even with 21 touches and not having the cleanest of looks, seemingly found a way to impact. Her usual decisive disposal efficiency was not at its best early with a few uncharacteristic turnovers, but she worked into the game and the conditions to set up a goal and then nail one herself with the outside of the right boot. Her defensive pressure is always sublime and her stoppage craft is one of, if not the, best in the draft crop. Finished as one of the best with partner in crime, McKeegan.

#17 Greea McKeegan
Forward/Wing | 176cm | 15/12/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 6 marks, 9 tackles, 4 hitouts, 2 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 1 goal, 2 behinds

The difference McKeegan and Bilyk make to the Falcons side – compared to when they are out – has been night and day, and for the second straight week, McKeegan played a pivotal role in the win. While she kicked 1.2 instead of four goals in 13 minutes like the week before, her ability to influence the game offensively and defensively, as well as in the air or at ground level, was outstanding, and she consistently put pressure on the opposition defence with her ability to get up the ground then transition it forward. McKeegan’s athleticism and repeat contest work helped her remain active throughout transitional plays, and after a series of misses – including out on the fulls or out of bounds – she got her goal with a clever snap in the 12th minute of the final term.

#29 Meyah Fursland
Tall Defender | 175cm | 15/10/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

An old-fashioned defender who plays her role and does it well with a no-frills approach. She’s not the finished product just yet as she could have been a touch cleaner at ground level, but her sheer will to work the ball from the back 50 down the ground was important. Ultra-competitive at ground level even when against. stronger bodies, she was proactive at meeting the ball rather than waiting for it to come to her, and she seemed composed when under pressure. Played the safe options and did well in trying conditions.

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

Stats: 14 disposals, 10 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 rebound 50

The double bottom-ager is an elite defensive player who is still developing the offensive elements in her game. All of her 14 disposals were handballs and there were a few times where she was a little too quick to dish off when in and around the coalface or inside 50. That’s an area that will come with time and greater confidence at the level, but what she does so well is without the ball. Her tackling is as fierce as any player going around and her ability to play across multiple lines is also valuable in her development.

#47 Sienna Bilinski
Wing/Forward | 170cm | 22/05/2010

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 behinds

Bilinski looked like a long-term talent, with the medium-sized wing able to also rotate inside 50 and have an impact. She’s only light so will take time to compete around the contest, but her ground coverage was very good and she was still able to get her hands dirty and win her own ball rather than just rely on teammates. Areas to develop and had a couple of near misses, but will be a name to remember over the next couple of years.

GWV REBELS:

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

Stats: 19 disposals, 12 tackles, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Rock is the quintessential teammate that anyone would love to play with because she would run through a brick wall to earn possession for her side. She hits hard – but fair – and will also back herself to get out of trouble with fend-offs and sheer power. While it does run her into trouble at times – both from overzealous tackles and from being caught trying to break away – when it works, it really pays off for her side. Rock can use both sides of her body, and with any time and space, and open up play with some penetrating kicks. Another big preseason of development and she will be even more of a well-rounded player.

#9 Lila Evans
Midfielder/Defender | 166cm | 30/08/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

In the absence of Milly Shortal, Evans stood up as the experienced top-ager around the ball and like her Falcons’ namesake, is also a handball-preferenced player when at stoppages. She thrives on the hardball and contested nature, has a strong body for her size and can feed the ball out to teammates quickly. A fierce competitor who is not the most polished, but gets the job done and is important in winning the ball at the source.

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

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The bottom-ager has had some big games in recent weeks, and while a lot of her impact has come inside 50, she gained more midfield minutes in the absence of Shortal. Burton has a two-way ability to her game, in the sense that she will lay big tackles, but also take the game on and move the ball quickly. While a shot on goal was sprayed when she had more time – developing composure will come – she showed that stepping up into a midfield role of the future won’t be a problem.