THREE metropolitan teams and the unbeaten Tasmania Devils were among the top represented clubs in our Talent League Girls Team of the Week for Round 3. Calder Cannons, Northern Knights and Oakleigh Chargers all recorded three players from their first wins, while the Devils also managed the three players in the side.

In an incredibly tough week to select players with seven matches taking place, it was the winners who made up 17 of the 24-player squad. In the opening game of the round, Calder Cannons had a trio of talents with Amy Trindade named at half-forward after her match-winning two goals on debut, while inside midfielders Bridie Collings and Kayley Kavanagh were forced onto the bench given the strength of the midfield in Round 3.

Northern Knights also had the three players in the Team of the Week after a big win over Murray Bushrangers. Co-captain and recent Carlton AFLW recruit Lulu Beatty slotted into half-back, while ruck Lauren Jatczak and debutant Zoe Hargreaves also made the team.

Running over the top of Geelong Falcons after conceding the first two goals, Oakleigh Chargers managed a trio of talents. Defender Lara Hausegger was named at centre half-back, with bottom-agers Sienna Tallariti and Maggie Mahony also in the team.

Down on the Apple Isle, tall forward Georgia Clark and partner-in-crime Grace White line-up in the key position forward slots. Double bottom-ager Priya Bowering was one of six interchange players.

The Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels won and recorded the two players in the Team of the Week to fill out important spots with key defender Millie Lang and forward Lily Jordan – who booted five goals – making the team.

A couple of the losing sides also had two players in the Round 3 team, with Sandringham Dragons duo, Daisy Flockart and Jasmine Shepherd making the squad. Western Jets bottom-age young guns Lou-Lou Field and Sierra Grieves were sensational despite going down to the Devils.

The GWS GIANTS Academy was unlucky to just have the one representative despite the win, but it marked an even team performance as Sophia de Castella was named on the bench. Rounding out the single club representatives were Lucia Painter (Bendigo Pioneers), Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons) and Amber Schutte (Gippsland Power).

Dandenong Stingrays and Murray Bushrangers were the two teams without a representative for Round 3, but Eleanor Butler and Kaylea Kobzan were emergencies from those respective teams. GWV Rebels’ ruck-forward Laila Lappin was the third emergency.

2023 TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 3

B: Jasmine Shepherd (Sandringham Dragons) – Millie Lang (GWV Rebels) – Lou-Lou Field (Western Jets)
HB: Lulu Beatty (Northern Knights) – Lara Hausegger (Oakleigh Chargers) – Amber Schutte (Gippsland Power)
C: Laura Stone (Eastern Ranges) (c) – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets) – Daisy Flockart (Sandringham Dragons)
HF: Amy Trindade (Calder Cannons) – Georgia Clark (Tasmania Devils) – Sienna Tallariti (Oakleigh Chargers)
F: Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges) – Grace White (Tasmania Devils) – Lily Jordan (GWV Rebels)
R: Lauren Jatczak (Northern Knights) – Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons) – Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)
INT: Priya Bowering (Tasmania Devils) – Bridie Collings (Calder Cannons) – Sophia de Castella (GIANTS Academy) – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights) – Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons) – Maggie Mahony (Oakleigh Chargers)

EMG: Eleanor Butler (Dandenong Stingrays) – Kaylea Kobzan (Murray Bushrangers) – Laila Lappin (GWV Rebels)