BOOTING seven consecutive goals through the middle of the match, Calder Cannons capped off their regular Talent League Girls season with a bang by defeating Murray Bushrangers to the tune of 35 points. The Cannons kicked 12.7 (79) to 7.4 (46), of which 7.5 came in 36 minutes from where the Bushies only kicked one behind in that same period at Wangaratta.

We made note of some of the players who caught the eye across both sides.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS:

#4 Ebony Chapman
Forward | 163cm | 06/05/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals

The small forward was busy throughout the game, providing a nice two-way impact between offensive and defensive work. For the most part, Chapman presented up the ground and even worked into defence at one point late in the game. It took until the fourth term for the bottom-ager to get some nourishment on the scoreboard, booting back-to-back goals midway through the fourth term both of which were classy finishes.

#5 Eliza Roche
Forward/Midfielder | 165cm | 03/03/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 9 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Working in tandem with Chapman in the front half, Roche was similarly busy and brought enormous defensive pressure. She had midfield minutes, but the bulk of the game was spent around the forward 50 arc, which is where she is at her most dangerous. Like Chapman, Roche had to wait until the final term to get reward for effort, and it came after an earlier chance was touched on the goalline. Her actual goal came from a brilliant holding the ball free kick, converting the set shot.

#6 Skylah McPherson
Forward/Midfielder | 169cm | 22/01/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 11 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

McPherson also contributed to the scoreboard, kicking a major in the opening term after playing in front and holding a good mark. She did not win a stack of the ball, but spent the bulk of her time forward, while being able to impact from a more defensive sense throughout the match. McPherson ran hard all day, and was part of the contributors for the Bushies in what was ultimately a tough result.

#9 Carmela Perri
Defender/Midfielder | 168cm | 15/10/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Starting in defence as the Bushrangers went with a bottom-age trio on-ball, Perri got her midfield minutes and started each quarter thereafter around the contest. She did well when rotating into the backline to clear the immediate danger consistently, then showed her usual aggression around the coalface when in the middle. She cracked on for four quarters, finding her fair share of the ball, and then nailed a nice goal on the run at the end of a team chain.

#24 Rose Bell
Utility | 170cm | 18/03/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Bell played across all three lines, pushing up from attack to start, spending a couple of moments on-ball, even winning a centre bounce clearance and then nailing a pass inside 50. She eventually rolled back into defence with the Cannons starting to take control, and was able to clear the ball consistently during the third term. She is a lovely ball user and her footy IQ is off the charts, which is why good things happen when she can dispense of it in transition.

#30 Evie Henley
Midfielder/Forward | 173cm | 13/07/2009

Stats: 23 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals, 1 behind

Starting on-ball, Henley kicked a nice goal early to get the confidence up, then spent time in the front half for a little while. She covered the ground exceptionally well, helping out in defence at different points, then when the game was all in Calder’s favour, Henley nailed a drought-breaking major in the 17th minute of the third term. Has had a big year between Murray, Giants and Allies representation, but looms as one to watch for next year.

CALDER CANNONS:

#1 Charli Calleia
Defender/Midfielder | 169cm | 28/10/2008

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

Tough as nails as always, Calleia was fierce in the back half, moving on-ball and using her strength around the contest as well in the third term. She continually mopped up behind the ball both at ground level and in the air, with her strength and competitive nature shining through. Has been a consistent force for the Cannons all season.

#5 Renee Ford
Utility | 167cm | 06/07/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 8 tackles, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

While the bulk of Ford’s bottom-age season has been around the ball, the former Suns Academy member was placed more at half-forward with a midfield rotation, and seemed to thrive in the role. She had more time and space, found pockets to lead into and brought her usual high-pressure to the front half of the ground. She still spent time working up the field at times, and even rotated onto a wing midway through the fourth quarter, which further illustrated her versatility.

#8 Elebertina Schuliga
Wing | 165cm | 17/02/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 6 marks, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The explosive Schuliga was busy off a wing, and had one of her higher volume games for the season. She’s not known for racking up the ball, instead more for her metres gained, and she was able to do that on a number of occasions. From clearing out of defence to bursting down the wing, the bottom-ager looks exciting each time she goes near it. Her work back at one stage saved a certain goal for McPherson, and then she broke away blasting past opponents out of the back 50.

#10 Coco Balmain
Midfielder | 175cm | 01/01/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 1 mark, 11 tackles, 1 clearance, 7 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

The ever consistent Balmain was fierce as ever throughout the game, applying great pressure around the stoppages, and pushing forward to be threat inside 50 as well. She kicked a nice goal on the run from the handball receive during the third quarter, and had a shot on goal in the last 30 seconds from long-range that just missed. A neat ball user who is tough as nails. Overall, Balmain capped off her bottom-age year in style and looms as one to watch in 2027 with her second half of 2026, sensational.

#13 Isabelle Hannon
Forward | 165cm

Stats: 9 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 3 goals, 2 behinds

Hannon has been making waves in recent weeks, and she again was busy in front of the big sticks with three goals from five scoring shots. The Calder forward set up goal scoring opportunities for her teammates, had plenty of chances herself, and finished with three majors including two on the run and one from a set shot all between 25-30 metres out. Looks a prospect who has plenty of development left.

#40 Victoria Goudy
Midfielder/Forward | 173cm | 14/01/2010

Stats: 28 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

A natural ball-hunter, Goudy roamed around the ground and looked busy out of the middle, flicking off handballs or bombing the ball forward to gain some important meterage for her side. She was a constant source of forward 50 entries, and while she could have been a touch cleaner at ground level at times, once she had the ball, was very good at both protecting it and dishing it off with smarts and strength, even when tackled. One such situation in the first term set up a goal, and she clunked a great mark in front of Perri in the second leading out of the forward 50 as well.