ALL SIX Coates Talent League games took place in Round 13 of the competition with flight delays in the boys’ league not affecting the girls’ clash in Tasmania. There were plenty of close contests across the weekend, with just one above 33 points, and two under 12 points.

Oakleigh Chargers maintained their place at the top of the Coates Talent League Girls ladder with a hard-fought eight-point win over Tasmania Devils. Despite the Devils remaining in the contest throughout after not scoring in the first term, the Chargers proved too strong to win, 6.4 (40) to 4.8 (32).

STANDOUT: Grace White (Tasmania Devils)

Stationed in defence as a new role for the tall forward, White played her best game of the year. She amassed a game-high 24 disposals, while also collecting five marks, five tackles, three hitouts, two inside 50s and two rebound 50s.

OTHERS:

Oakleigh had its usual spread of even contributors with Lucy Cronin standing out in defence with 20 disposals, six tackles and eight rebound 50s. Through midfield, Jacinta Baxter, Abbey Vicino and Sarah Poustie were all productive, as was forward Emma McDonald. For the Devils, Meg Harrison was a particular standout, while Georgia Clark and Tunisha Kikoak found plenty of the ball.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Grace White (Tasmania Devils)
4 – Lucy Cronin (Oakleigh Chargers)
3 – Jacinta Baxter (Oakleigh Chargers)
2 – Abbey Vicino (Oakleigh Chargers)
1 – Meg Harrison (Tasmania Devils)

Northern Knights held on in a tight battle at Highgate Recreation Reserve despite being held goalless in the second half against Western Jets. In a low-scoring tussle, the Knights raced out to a 27-point half-time lead, but then the Jets kicked the only two goals after the main break to cut the deficit back to 11 points, 4.8 (32) to 2.9 (21).

STANDOUT: Phoebe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)

The double bottom-ager was outstanding, working hard through the midfield and pushing forward. She had a match-high 28 disposals, with five inside 50s and numerous clearances. Overall she showed her class in the win.

OTHERS:

Phoebe’s older sister Zoe Hargreaves returned from Vic Metro duties to also impress for the Knights, as did fellow midfielder Tahlia Plunkett. Up forward, Kira Lemire converted 2.2 from 10 disposals to be a target inside 50. For the Jets, Lou-Lou Field shone returning to the defence, while Kiera Leare and Hannah Brodie tried hard all game.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Phoebe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
4 – Lou-Lou Field (Western Jets)
3 – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
2 – Kira Lemire (Northern Knights)
1 – Tahlia Plunkett (Northern Knights)

Geelong Falcons kicked away in the second half after being challenged by Gippsland Power, running out 25-point winners at Werribee. The Falcons were tipped to win but trailed for portions of the game, and even lead by just two points midway through the third term, before Geelong kicked five of the last six goals to win, 9.8 (62) to 5.7 (37).

STANDOUT: Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)

The bottom-age star was at it again, albeit in a loss. She took control up forward early then moved further afield to help, kicking 2.3 from 24 disposals, five marks and four inside 50s. Realistically she should have finished with about four majors and did the most damage on the scoring front between herself and others.

OTHERS:

Geelong Falcons had the usual suspects at it again, with winger Mekah Morrissy the one catching the eye with her enormous run and carry going inside 50. Captain Chloe Adams was also consistent throughout while Sara Howley had the ball on a string again with 36 touches. In defence, Johanna Sunderland had an influence on the game. for the Power, Amber Schutte and Jasmine Sowden were among the best.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
4 – Mekah Morrissy (Geelong Falcons)
3 – Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons)
2 – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)
1 – Johanna Sunderland (Geelong Falcons)

Dandenong Stingrays were made to work for it at different points, but they got the job done against Sandringham Dragons, winning by 33 points. The Stingrays trailed by a goal at quarter time, but booted 4.4 to 0.0 in the second term to open the game up. Though the Dragons hit back in the third quarter, the Stingrays steadied in the last to win, 8.9 (57) to 4.0 (24).

STANDOUT: Mikayla Williamson (Dandenong Stingrays)

The AFLW Academy member was outstanding for the Stingrays, using her athletic gifts to full advantage. She finished the game with 23 disposals, nine tackles, three inside 50s and three rebound 50s in the victory.

OTHERS:

Dandenong had a lot of strong players on the day, with ruck Elli Symonds doing plenty around the ground. Fellow tall Zoe Besanko and second gamer Makhaela Bluhm kicked five goals between them, and Kayla Dalgleish was also productive in the win. For the Dragons, Cameron Millias stood out, while Meg Webster was the other player to record 23 disposals.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Mikayla Williamson (Dandenong Stingrays)
4 – Elli Symonds (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – Kayla Dalgleish (Dandenong Stingrays)
2 – Makhaela Bluhm (Dandenong Stingrays)
1 – Zoe Besanko (Dandenong Stingrays)

Calder Cannons proved gar too strong for the Bendigo Pioneers, running away 67-point winners in the largest differential of the weekend. Up at Mildura, the Cannons had a couple of massive ball-winners who lead the team, while sharing the load around up forward in a 12.13 (85) to 3.0 (18) victory.

STANDOUT: Maddison Albrecht (Calder Cannons)

Our Player of the Week for Round 13, Albrecht got the nod for the five votes after kicking 2.3 from 30 disposals and being seemingly everywhere. She worked well in the midfield and rested forward in what was her clear standout game for the season.

OTHERS:

Chloe Baker-West smashed the previous disposal record with 49 touches in the win, as well as 18 inside 50s, with her 1.4 the area of improvement for what could have gone from a ridiculous day to an even more remarkable effort. Fellow double bottom-ager Jade McLay was also strong through the midfield, while Shauna McElligott booted four goals from 15 touches. For the Pioneers, Bryde O’Rourke, Steph Demeo and Emma Daley were the prime ball-winners.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Maddison Albrecht (Calder Cannons)
4 – Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons)
3 – Jade McLay (Calder Cannons)
2 – Shauna McElligott (Calder Cannons)
1 – Bryde O’Rourke (Bendigo Pioneers)

Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels kept Murray Bushrangers scoreless in the first half, and then went on with it after that to win, 7.3 (45) to 2.0 (12). Kicking 4.2 to 0.0 heading into the main break, the Rebels stepped up with 3.1 to 2.0 in the second half when challenged to win by 33 points.

STANDOUT: Molly Walton (GWV Rebels)

The Rebels over-ager worked hard through the midfield and earned the five votes as she put together a four-quarter performance. Walton finished with 18 disposals, three marks, 10 tackles, two inside 50s, three rebound 50s and a classy goal in the win.

OTHERS:

Along with Walton, Claire Mahony looked imposing up forward, while Millie Lang and Jessica Rentsch were productive in defence. Tyla Crabtree and Laila Lappin were also prime ball-winners. For the Bushrangers, Holly Egan and Majella Day distributed the ball well out of defence.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Molly Walton (GWV Rebels)
4 – Claire Mahony (GWV Rebels)
3 – Holly Egan (Murray Bushrangers)
2 – Millie Lang (GWV Rebels)
1 – Majella Day (Murray Bushrangers)