THE Coates Talent League Girls action returned in Round 7 as the Queensland Northern Academies, along with Northern Territory played their first games. Gippsland Power also picked up their first win over the season in what was ultimately a one-sided round of results. We took note of some of the top performers from their respective victories.

SWANS ACADEMY:

#10 Olivia Morris

Often unrewarded for her work, Morris was a fierce competitor inside the contest, providing plenty of defensive pressure and winning contested ball on the regular. A lot of touches did come at the coalface, but she was quick to give it off and allow her teammates to spread well. Though she has had more prominent games, the captain played an important role.

#13 London Ashcroft

Had some nice moments and akin to Morris, brought a stack of defensive pressure with double-digit tackles. She got on the end of a goal after marking inside 50 and converting the set shot from a tight angle, while spreading well between midfield and attack. Providing a key role in being the distributor going inside 50, Ashcroft was solid across the board.

#14 Kendra Blattman

One of the standout talls, Blattman was strong through the ruck and palmed down to her teammates regularly to allow access to first possessions at stoppages. She was particularly prolific in the second term and even even had a shot on goal which missed. Her athletic profile stands out and at 176cm might be undersized for a ruck but matches it against taller opponents.

#19 Emma Juneja

A dangerous forward, Juneja kicked one of the better goals of the day, gathering it cleanly and then taking a shot which bounced home midway through the third term. The bottom-ager also missed a couple of chances on goal, but looked dangerous, and pushed up to the wing to have an impact on the game there.

#23 Nelita Sherrin-Bob

The most dangerous forward, Sherrin-Bob slotted three majors in the win and was the only Swans multiple goalkicker on the ground. She was clean at ground level and in the air, and positions herself well to give herself the best chance of impacting the scoreboard. Not only did she finish off with three goals, but took a highlight reel mark at half-forward and set up other goal-scoring chances for her teammates.

TASMANIA DEVILS:

#24 Georgia Clark

It was a hard working effort from Clark who found herself further afield than usual, and even playing a key role rotating through the ruck. She managed to kick one goal, but was most impactful at ground level. She used her booming kick to get it inside 50 or down the ground when she could, and despite only being 174cm, held her own in the ruck contests.

#26 Harriet Bingley

The Under 16s talent was on debut for the Devils and looked comfortable at the level, playing through the midfield and winning her fair share of the ball. A kick-first player, Bingley won a number of key clearances and covered the ground well, reading the play effectively and even taking some strong marks. Though still young, Bingley sowed some promising signs.

#29 Mackenzie Williams

Playing in her usual defensive role before being thrown forward for the final term, Williams was able to mop up in defence as she usually would across the opening three terms. With time and space she switched and created options for her teammates, and though her under pressure her execution needs work, she was strong overhead.

#37 Tunisha Kikoak

Trying hard through the ruck, Kikoak competed well and found her own ball across the ground, before dropping back into defence when she could. She even had a set shot which unfortunately sprayed out on the full early in the game, but continued to work hard and presented as an option around the ground.

#39 Grace White

White did not have a heap of the ball as a forward, but made the most of her chances, converting two majors, the first and last goals of the game. White also missed a chance from a tight angle in the second term, but worked hard up the ground to present as a marking target.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS:

#2 Tamika Rourke

The Murray midfielder was eye-catching throughout the contest and a standout from the perspective of trying to turn the game in her side’s favour. She fought hard at the stoppages and looked to use her speed to burst out of congestion. Though at times she would wait the extra split second too long and get caught, she continued to back herself and was one of the more prominent players in the loss.

#5 Molly McLaren

The double bottom-ager might not have played her best game of the season, but she still cracked in and used the ball well, particularly by hand in close. McLaren won the first clearance of the day and did the team things throughout the contest, working her way around the field. She backed up her teammates and put her body on the line, and though she copped an early knock, returned to still have an impact on the game.

#10 Paige Duffy

Another player who tried hard all game and had a number of crucial possessions, Duffy was able to clear the ball down the field regularly. While often under pressure and forced to rush the kick, Duffy kept finding space and winning it both inside and outside, and having a crack across the four quarters.

#11 Ellie Armstrong

Had a fair dinkum battle with Hussain all game where Armstrong laid a strong tackle to win a free kick then applied a bump not long after, she played between defence and attack, even having a shot on goal. That kick fell short but was marked by Destiny Dodd on the goal line, and Armstrong kept working hard around the ground to be one of the Bushies’ most prominent players.

BRISBANE LIONS ACADEMY:

#3 Ebony Milne

The top-ager looked dangerous throughout the game in the forward half, and while she did miss a couple of chances she could have converted, she generally used the ball well going inside 50. Looking clean and composed in the wet, Milne was able to set up teammates and present well up the ground. A player to keep an eye on this year from a top-age perspective.

#5 Grace Roberts-White

Stationed in defence, Roberts-White had some nice plays, particularly intercepting the ball with a high line. She was clean by hand and good in close as well as finding the ball to kick down the field. Generally using it effectively, Roberts-White was an anchor in the back half of the ground to ensure the Bushrangers did not get too many scoring chances.

#6 Holly O’Flaherty

Producing nice moments and eye-catching traits, O’Flaherty has that quick burst to create separation on her opponent when coming out of defence and is able to cover the ground well. She kicked a good running goal in the first term and used the ball cleanly by hand. Though a few touches might have been turned over, O’Flaherty worked well as that overage outside player.

#7 Jacinta Baldwick

A top-ager who plays in the forward half of the ground, Baldwick has natural football smarts, particularly her ability to execute and her vision. Able to sense where she can set up scoring opportunities, Baldwick can utilise a myriad to ways to get it to teammates, though was perhaps a touch too unselfish when she intercepted the ball 20m out from goal on a tight angle and kicked to a congested pack. Overall showed some promising signs.

#10 Sophie Peters

Named best-on in the win, Peters was a prime mover in the midfield and had a number of chances going forward. She won the ball between the arcs and looked to release wherever possible, setting up plays in transition. Though sometimes having to thump the ball down the ground, Peters was generally effective and also laid some strong tackles in challenging conditions for classier players. Having spent time as a wing last season, Peters adapted to the inside role well.

#13 Brooke Sheridan

Returning as an overager after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury kept her out of last year’s national carnival, Sheridan was very lively booting three goals and looking the most dangerous forward on the ground. Losing none of that explosive speed off the mark, Sheridan worked her way up to half-forward at times and was quick to add three goals to her name. Though she was quieter later in the game, she even had a spell in the ruck.

#16 Zimra Hussain

Winning plenty of the ball and playing the role of the agitator in the game, Hussain found herself as that link between midfield and forward. As a smaller player she has a low centre of gravity and can draw free kicks easily, which she took full advantage of in the match. Involved in a clash after Murray’s first goal in the third term, Hussain kept focus through the game and got into the right positions.

#23 Rania Crozier

The AFLW Academy tall played between forward and the ruck, but even worked into defence to help out back there. She kicked a couple of good goals in the opening term in the space of five minutes, and while she did miss a number of chances, showed some nice athleticism that is rarer is a taller player. Still a raw prospect, it was evident to see why Crozier was picked for the prestigious Academy.

GIPPSLAND POWER:

#16 Ash Centra

The bottom-age talent played in defence and regularly pushed up the ground, so much so she kicked a strong goal in the final term, pushing past opponents to slot the major on the run. Always involved in chains from defence to attack, Centra released long handballs or hit penetrating kicks down the ground and was among the best yet again. She found space more than she has in past weeks and broke through tackles or fended off opponents before perfectly releasing disposals.

#19 Ella Stoddart

Coming off an MVP-winning carnival at the Under 16 Championships, Stoddart assumed her role off half-back and provided run and carry down the ground. She had a couple of kicks that went astray out of bounds, but generally hit targets and looked to run and carry. She mopped up in defence and had a great passage in the second half after marking at half-back, kicking to Sutton, receiving the handball at half-forward then finding Hobson for a goal.

#29 Rebecca Fitzpatrick

Though she had an early shot on goal that bounced wide, Fitzpatrick won a lot of her touches off half-back and provided run and carry down the wing. She kept her hands free in a tackle during the third term and was often able to release by hand to a teammate to move in transition. In what was her debut, the 2007-born talent held her own and showed some promising signs.

#32 Abby Hobson

A massive performance on debut, the double bottom-ager slotted four goals and looked unstoppable at times clunking six marks from 15 disposals. She kicked her first in the second term, then added three more in the third term. All four were within 20m of goal, but Hobson’s ability to compete in the air and at least bring it to ground, gave her easier opportunities. Though her execution is still a little rough, she has that goal sense and game smarts that make her one to watch.

#36 Chelsea Sutton

One of the stars of the show, Sutton stepped up after playing eight games last year and booted three goals from seven scoring shots. She not only played close to goal but worked up the ground and got involved in transitions, collecting more touches than any other player with 23. Her ability to get into the right spots and have shots on goal was eye-catching and with a touch more composure and luck, Sutton could have headed home with a massive haul. Still, her performance was a big one and is one to keep an eye on for the rest of the season.

NORTHERN TERRITORY ACADEMY:

#2 Marika Carlton

Stepping up to the level after a successful NTFL Women’s Premier League campaign, Carlton showed why she has caught the eye with elite quick hands and speed in the forward half of the ground. Possessing great defensive pressure and able to get forward and have a couple of chances on goal, Carlton got reward for effort with a set shot goal in the final term.

#6 Tatyana Perry

The classy talent played behind the ball and used her skill and clean hands to full effect, sidestepping opponents – in one instant two players in the one run – and selling candy with ease. She provided some drive and generally was able to hit targets even under pressure, with well-weighted kicks. Perry just looked a class above in the game and was easily the cleanest player out there, and got better as the game went on.

#11 Sophie Berry

Berry played at half-forward and was able to win the ball cleanly and get it inside 50. She worked hard and provided good pressure around the the ball carrier and was rewarded in the final term with a goal. She had another chance earlier in the term but it just went astray and was rushed across but was among the NT’s better players.

GWV REBELS:

#1 Isabella Davies

The talented bottom-ager found it a little tougher this week, often competing against taller opponents, but doing well with her tenacity and defensive pressure. She did get run down in a tackle in the final term, but gave as good as she got, and showed nice footy smarts when protecting the drop zone of the ball during the third term. A 12-disposal, two-mark, five-tackle and five-rebound 50 game was solid against stiff opposition.

#5 Jessica Rentsch

Trying hard all game and looking to break the lines when she could, Rentsch was often running straight into a wall of Suns in order to create some movement out of the back half. She would often be tackled and forced to rush a disposal, but also ran down Harrington to get some of her own back. Of the best Rebels just purely for what she tried to do, you could not fault her efforts in the game.

#15 Millie Lang

It was another steadfast effort from the key defender who was a standout for the Rebels. The bottom-ager was strong in the air and even if she did not take the mark, brought it to ground and recovered well. She did have the odd poor kick which was uncharacteristic, but generally used it superbly, and even showed strength at different points with shrugging tackles or fending off opponents. Her ability to hit well off her right as she does off her preferred left was outstanding.

#16 Brook Ward

A really promising game through the middle of the ground, Ward worked hard to find the ball and was often a kick behind play intercepting it off the opposition. She only had the 15 disposals which was lower than some other midfielders, but she was noticeable each time she went near it. Her technique was sound, and though some of her kicks were turned over, Ward showed some toe out of defensive stoppages and also had four rebound 50s and laid eight tackles in the match.

GOLD COAST SUNS ACADEMY:

#4 Heidi Talbot

The Far-North Queensland prospect has that ability to catch the eye from limited touches and make the most of her moments, which she certainly did on the weekend. Working hard on the outside, she played off half-forward and led up to meet the ball at times, while also dropping back to hit the scoreboard with a clever goal out of a stoppage. A clean player who has a neat short kick, as well as being smart by hand.

#8 Sunny Lappin

The Carlton and St Kilda father-daughter eligible midfielder/forward fittingly stood up at Princes Park with a first quarter goal from an opportunistic situation. She played a strong four-quarter game and showed fantastic aerial ability, as well as goal sense to be able to look dangerous every time she went near it. Though she missed a number of chances, Lappin provided some great link-up play going forward, while bringing the defensive heat like her fellow midfielders.

#10 Ava Usher

The double bottom-age midfielder/forward provided a balance of offence and defence to the side with 20 disposals and nine tackles, while also hitting the scoreboard with a clever goal off a step inside 50 in the third term. Clean and strong overhead and at ground level, Usher still has some polish to work on, but her power and athletic traits stand out on the field and she looms as one of the top prospects in a few years. She sets up goal-scoring opportunities and looks dangerous whenever the ball is in her zone.

#11 Alannah Welsh

The Under 16s All-Australian is an ideal utility playing in all thirds of the ground, but did her best work rotating between forward and midfield. Welsh kicked the first goal of the game off a step and then converted another after a second quarter mark in the goalsquare. She would go on to miss a number of chances booting 2.3 for the game, but she possesses a lovely kick and takes the game on. That comes with risk and she ran herself into trouble a few times, but certainly provided plenty of dash and dare.

#13 Tara Harrington

Though Harrington might not have the sheer strength of some of her other midfielders, she still goes in hard and punches above her weight there. However her best traits come with ball-in-hand as she is the most fluent and consistent kick of the lot, and her vision and decision making are also exemplary. There are very few worries about her game, and though she is smaller, she can hit some powerful kicks, and is going to be a very good midfielder and one of the top talents next year.

#23 Josie McCabe

The skipper battled hard throughout the four quarters and led by example putting her body on the line. She had a fresh air kick towards goal early in the game, but when having time and space was able to deliver cleanly, including a low bullet into Usher inside 50 in the second term. McCabe is a natural contested ball-winner and has been trialled in defence and attack, but when around the ball she brings the pressure and laid a team-high 10 tackles in the win.

#28 Ella Calleja

An exciting forward with a year on her peers, Calleja was among the more eye-catching players as a top-ager last year. Able to also roll through the midfielder, Calleja has not always been a high production player, but she uses it well and can find targets going inside 50. One of the over-age players to keep in mind this season as she has developable traits and strong hands overhead.

#30 Havana Harris

The star of the show among a stack of top-end talents, Harris dominated through the ruck and found the ball like a midfielder around the ground, massing a whopping 27 disposals, 18 hitouts, six inside 50s, three rebound 50s and laying eight tackles. Harris also kicked a goal in the second term after recovering well off hands in the goalsquare, and constantly put pressure on the opposition defence. Anyone who stands at 181cm and moves like the wind is a worry for opposition coaches and Harris does just that. One of the pick one contenders for 2023.

BENDIGO PIONEERS:

#5 Lucia Painter

The standout Pioneers player, Painter started on a big note with the first clearance out of the middle. She went head-to-head with Howley for the most part as both went their separate ways, but provided her own set of highlights. Often dropping behind the ball and resting in defence when not in midfield. She intercepted a fair bit of the footy and rebounded with consistency. At times she might have done a touch too much such as trying to fend off Howley but was brought down, but her almost Goal of the Year – where she ran from the wing took four bounces and had a flying shot but just missed to the left – was one to savour.

#10 Keely Fullerton

Tried her heart out all game and was one of the more productive Pioneers using the ball neatly and laying some fierce tackles. She had a snap on goal in the final term which bounced out of bounds, but worked up the ground and mopped up in the defensive 50. Overall, Fullerton was able to leave her influence on the game.

#14 Bryde O’Rourke

Having her fair share of moments, O’Rourke was involved in a number of marking contests, and though she split her one-on-ones, was also able to bring it to ground. Midway through the second term she marked out in front of her one-on-one and converted the set shot well from 40m. Showed off her pace and some nice long kicking to create run down the ground and was busy throughout the match.

#26 Jemmika Douglas

Played at both ends and through the middle at times and played the role of mopping up in defence and also applying pressure in attack. Douglas took a great mark on the goalline to save a goal in one of her highlights for the game. Showing her class and clean hands in transition, Douglas was one of the more prominent Pioneers ball-winners in the loss.

GEELONG FALCONS:

#1 Lucy Marescuk

Providing great run on the outside, Marescuk was able to get the ball in her hands and show a swift sidestep to turn her opponent inside out on the wing. Early in the second term, Marescuk won it at half-forward, took a bounce and delivered lace out at top speed to Owens on the lead. Though at times she can panic a little bit under pressure and rush her disposal, when able to find space and use her athletic gifts, she can break the lines and use the ball well.

#7 Sara Howley

In a remarkable season, Howley went to another level against Bendigo, bringing her own ball as she amassed 40 disposals, 11 inside 50s and booted 1.4. If she had converted a couple more of her running chances she could have had an even bigger game, but it was hard dispute the performance was one of the individual efforts of the season. She did as she pleased and roamed everywhere on the field to find the ball with ease and even got the job done on the defensive end. In terms of overall performances, Howley’s was the complete package and was able to win the ball in all thirds of the ground.

#8 Mekah Morrissy

Similar to Marescuk, the specialist winger added some pace and flair to the side with hard running and delivery inside 50. She was clean at ground level and able to control the ball well, working between the arcs effectively. As a player who likes to run and carry, Morrissy had more time and space than she normally wold have and used her high running capacity to full effect to influence the game in her metres gained.

#19 Sienna Mallon

Kicking a couple of goals in a game where the forwards shared their chances, Mallon joined the procession of dangerous Falcons forwards. Mallon kicked her first off a step. in the first term from 15m out then her second came with a dribbling goal close to the boundary getting home. She had another few chances on goal that just missed, but remained active inside 50.

#21 Leila Owens

A strong marking target inside 50, Owens kicked the one goal but set up other chances and was able to bring the ball to ground when she did not clunk it. She lead to the right spots and should have had a couple more majors to her name, but provided defensive pressure inside 50 as a deeper target.

#24 Chantal Mason

The dominant goalkicker on the field, Mason feasted on the Bendigo defender with seven goals, but easily could have had nine or 10 with a bid of luck as a couple of chances went begging or fell short. Still, it was a performance unlikely to be forgotten as she not only equalled the competition’s most goals with seven, but had 23 disposals and clunked nine marks. She set up a few teammates with clean passes and was up with Howley as best afield, earning our Player of the Week nomination for Round 7.

#25 Chloe Adams

The Falcons skipper played her usual midfield role before dropping behind the ball and being that kick behind play when required. As the game was largely played in the Falcons forward half, Adams did not have as much to do as other weeks, but still amassed 21 disposals. She took a number of strong marks behind the play and impacted at the stoppages, calming down play and picking the right options with clean disposals.

#29 Bella Gilham

The crafty small forward played her best game so far, converting three goals from 17 disposals. Her best work was done at ground level where she got into the dangerous spots and then crumbed marking contests, even selling candy in the final term. She looked confident and dangerous, and made the most of her chances when presented with them.