JUST the four games took place in a condensed round of Coates Talent League Girls action, but we were still out in force checking each of the matches out. Here is how they went down, and some of the impressive individual performers.
- Team
Dandenong Stingrays
Oakleigh Chargers
In a special Friday night fixture, Oakleigh Chargers ran over the top of Dandenong Stingrays in the final term off the back of a couple of defensive errors by the home team. In a tight match for the first three quarters, the Stingrays lead by three points at the last change. However a penalty for running too far from the kickout and then a 50m penalty for stepping over the mark cost the Stingrays two goals and the Chargers secured the win. 5.8 (38) to 2.8 (20).
STANDOUT: Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers)
The hard-running winger continued her fantastic form for the Chargers, earning our five votes off a consistent four-quarter effort. Boasting footy smarts to get into the right spots and an ability to move the ball forward in transition, Poustie sets up scoring plays with her work behind the ball and along the wing. Aside from missing a goal she should have kicked, Poustie was able to accumulate 22 disposals and take seven marks.
OTHERS:
It was an even spread across both teams, with the Chargers’ bottom-age duo of Maggie Mahony and Sienna Tallariti busy across the ground, while Lara Hausegger worked hard from defence. Emma McDonald was lovely when moved into the ruck, while Jacinta Baxter covered the ground well. For the Stingrays, Mikayla Williamson was the best-on as she provided strong run and carry, while Jemma Reynolds and Tahlia Sanger were busy, and Elli Symonds caught the eye in the ruck.
RMC MEDAL VOTES:
5 – Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers)
4 – Mikayla Williamson (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)
2 – Maggie Mahony (Oakleigh Chargers)
1 – Sienna Tallariti (Oakleigh Chargers)
- Team
Tasmania Devils
Eastern Ranges
Eastern Ranges reasserted their premiership intentions with a 75-point statement win over Tasmania Devils on the weekend. The Ranges lead by 11 points at quarter time, but put the foot down after that, booting 11 goals to two to storm to a 13.17 (95) to 3.2 (20) win.
STANDOUT: Laura Stone (Eastern Ranges)
Eastern Ranges top-ager Stone was again the architect in her team’s victory over the Devils, collecting another five votes in the Rookie Me Central Medal. Stone had 26 disposals, five tackles and six inside 50s, as well as a slew of clearances, reading the ball off the ruck’s hands so easily.
OTHERS:
Stone was far from the only Ranges player to catch the eye, with a stack of bottom-agers rising to the occasion. Georgia Knight booted 4.3 and Grace Belloni slotted 2.3 to lead the way, while Stasia Stevenson and Georgie Brisbane also impressed. Over-ager Georgie Pruden was among the best with 16 disposals, five marks and a goal. For the Devils, Mackenzie Williams tried hard out of defence, while Candice Belbin and Meg Harrison tried hard all game.
RMC MEDAL VOTES:
5 – Laura Stone (Eastern Ranges)
4 – Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges)
3 – Georgia Knight (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Stasia Stevenson (Eastern Ranges)
1 – Georgie Pruden (Eastern Ranges)
- Team
Western Jets
Calder Cannons
Calder Cannons took control in the first three quarters to set up a 17-point victory over reigning premiers Western Jets at a wet Avalon Airport Oval in Werribee on Saturday evening. The Cannons booted the first four goals of the game, and while the Jets hit back to kick the last two, once the rain got heavier, the margin was too difficult to peg back and the Cannons won, 4.8 (32) to 2.5 (17).
STANDOUT: Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons)
The Calder Cannons midfielder earned our Player of the Week nomination for another outstanding performance in the wet, winning a team-high 30 disposals. She was strong all over the field, collecting eight marks, nine tackles and five inside 50s to lead the midfield well.
OTHERS:
Calder has enjoyed an even spread of contributors across the course of the season and it was again the case in the win over Western. Bottom-ager Kyla Forbes booted two goals from 26 touches, while Bridie Collings, Maddison Albrecht and Sarah Grunden were also among the best. Bottom-age duo Sierra Grieves and Lou-Lou Field combined for 60 disposals, 10 marks and 10 rebound 50s, while Grieves laid a whopping 16 tackles.
RMC MEDAL VOTES:
5 – Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons)
4 – Lou-Lou Field (Western Jets)
3 – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
2 – Kyla Forbes (Calder Cannons)
1 – Maddison Albrecht (Calder Cannons)
- Team
Sandringham Dragons
Northern Knights
Northern Knights won an arm-wrestle over Sandringham Dragons to move to 2-1 for the season and leave the Dragons without a victory from three games. The Knights flew out of the gates to storm to a 14-point lead at quarter time, and while the Dragons hit back to level at half-time and only trail by a point at the final break, the Knights kicked the final goal of the game to win by five points, 5.4 (34) to 4.5 (29).
STANDOUT: Ava Jordan (Northern Knights)
The top-age talent worked her way to 30 disposals across the game and was everywhere on-field. She brought the heat wherever she went and won the pill on the inside and outside to spread hard and set up scoring opportunities for her teammates. Jordan also had three inside 50s, two rebound 50s and laid five tackles in the win.
OTHERS:
Northern Knights had a number of consistent contributors again with Zoe Hargreaves collecting 18 disposals and eight marks, and laying eight tackles. Suwindi Buckley, Paige Graham and Tahlia Plunkett also found their fair share of the ball. For the Dragons, Shaedyn Aylen picked up 23 disposals and five rebound 50s, working well with over-ager Georgia Foran (19 disposals, seven rebound 50s).
RMC MEDAL VOTES:
5 – Ava Jordan (Northern Knights)
4 – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
3 – Shaedyn Aylen (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Winnie Buckley (Northern Knights)
1 – Georgia Foran (Sandringham Dragons)