AFTER a month-long break, the Coates Talent League Girls are back in action this weekend, with the penultimate round of the season producing a six-game fixture. That includes a Sunday double-header at Warrawee Park, while the remaining matches are scattered between tonight and Sunday across the state.

Today’s feature match is between the Calder Cannons and Geelong Falcons who face off tomorrow at Highgate Recreation Reserve from midday.

Saturday, August 26 @ Highgate Recreation Reserve, 12pm

In what is anticipated to be a cracking contest, Calder Cannons and Geelong Falcons will provide fans with a clash between two finals-bound sides. With ball magnets on both sides, expect the midfield battle to determine the winner. Geelong is currently eight points clear in fourth, while Calder sits in seventh, but could close the gap with a victory.

Calder comes in having won just two of its past five, but has its strongest team on paper now compared to that stretch, while Geelong has stormed to seven wins in eight games since starting the season at 1-2. We take a look at a few of the players to watch in the huge clash.

TOP-AGE DRAFT WATCH:

#25 Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons)
06/07/2005 | 169cm | Midfielder

Kavanagh is coming in off a sensational AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships, where the consistent midfielder averaged 17.7 disposals, 5.7 tackles and an equal carnival-high of 5.7 clearances per match. She earned MVP honours for Vic Metro, and comes back to Talent League level where she is set to be a crucial cog in an outstanding Cannons midfield.

#24 Amy Gaylor (Calder Cannons)
23/08/2005 | 171cm | Midfielder

The AFLW Academy member returns for just her fourth game of the season, and her first since Round 5. Out with a knee injury that turned out to be far less serious than first thought, Gaylor will join Kavanagh and double bottom-ager Baker-West in a hard-running core. Before injury, Gaylor averaged 18 disposals and 7.3 tackles, with the left-footer also capable of bursting away over the first few steps.

#14 Sarah Grunden (Calder Cannons)
25/02/2005 | 168cm | Forward/Midfielder

Playing all three matches for Vic Metro at the national carnival, Grunden only kicked the one goal, but provided a number of nice plays going inside 50. She averaged the 7.7 disposals, 2.3 marks and 3.3 tackles at that carnival, and has the skills and smarts to impact a game. Back at Talent League level, Grunden has booted seven goals from her eight games, including hauls of three and two.

#25 Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons)
13/12/2005 | 165cm | Midfielder/Defender

The hard-working Geelong skipper co-captained Vic Country at the national championships, and brought her trademark pressure to lay an equal competition-high 22 tackles across the three games. She spent time through the midfield and defence, and has been named at half-back for the Falcons. That second role helps add an extra string to her bow as a dual-sided player with good decision making.

#24 Chantal Mason (Geelong Falcons)
28/05/2005 | 177cm | Key Forward

The Talent League Girls’ leading goalkicker is just one major away from notching up her 30th goal of the season. Since only kicking one goal in the first three rounds, Mason slammed home 23 goals in six rounds to earn Vic Country representation off that form. Mason kicked a goal per game at the national championships, and will be keen to reassert herself back at Talent League level.

FUTURE STARS:

#3 Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons)
02/02/2007 | 163cm | Midfielder

Still two years away from being draft eligible, Baker-West has wasted no time bringing her own ball to the Talent League Girls competition. In her first four games, she has had disposal efforts of 29, 36, 38 and 49 – the latter breaking the previous disposal record of the competition – for an average of 38. She covers the ground as well as anyone, and can play on all three lines, so watch for her to be wherever the ball is.

#5 Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)
29/01/2006 | 173cm | Midfielder

The dominant ball-winner at Talent League Girls level, Howley backed up her scintillating form at the national carnival, winning more disposals than any other player. Averaging 25.3 disposals, 6.3 marks, 4.0 clearances and 4.0 inside 50s, the bottom-ager showed her hard running ability and natural ball-winning nous around the ground. Among the top Victorian prospects for next year and a key player in the Falcons midfield over the next 18 months.

#8 Mekah Morrissy (Geelong Falcons)
16/01/2006 | 159cm | Wing

A good specialist winger can be hard to find, but Morrissy is just that, and her final national championships game was testament to her building form. She finished the overall carnival with an average of 17.5 disposals, 2.5 marks and 3.0 tackles, also kicking two goals in the win over Western Australia. At Talent League level, Morrissy averaged 16.7 disposals and 4.5 tackles and will look to springboard off her Vic Country form.

PREDICTION:

It looms as a fascinating contest. Geelong has been the more consistent side this season, but this is the strongest Calder outfit that has run out together. With Gaylor, Kavanagh and Baker-West all together for the first time this season, if they can control the midfield, they will be hard to stop. Geelong has tended to have the more potent forwardline though, so if Howley and Adams get their hands on the ball and Morrissy provides that run on the outside, Geelong has numerous options inside 50 who can do some damage. Home ground advantage sways towards Calder in a narrow win.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

GWV Rebels vs. Western Jets
Friday, August 25 @ Mars Stadium, 5:30pm

It is an early round start for the Rebels and Jets who kick off the weekend tonight at Mars Stadium. It is around 12 months since Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner launched a goal from the centre circle of the Ballarat venue and no doubt she will provide some more highlights here. The half-forward line of Weston-Turner, Sierra Grieves and Tamara Henry is outstanding, while up the other end, Lily Jordan and Claire Mahony can do some damage. At home, Rebels are the pick.

Dandenong Stingrays vs. Tasmania Devils
Saturday, August 26 @ Shepley Oval, 3:45pm

Dandenong Stingrays are the form team of the competition, and they have won six in a row since being 2-3 at the start of the season. They are up to third and a genuine premiership contender, winning all of those matches by five goals or more. Tasmania Devils have been a little up and down, but still have the likes of key talls, Georgia Clark and Grace White back from Allies representation, while the ruck-midfield duo of Elli Symonds and Mikayla Williamson is as exciting as it gets. Dandenong to be too strong.

Sandringham Dragons vs. Eastern Ranges
Sunday, August 27 @ Warrawee Park, 11:00am

In the first game of a double-header at Warrawee Park, Sandringham Dragons will be hoping to remain in the eight with a win as the GWV Rebels continue to sniff around for the spot. It will take a tough ask to topple the red-hot Ranges though, even minus Laura Stone. Up forward, the likes of Vic Metro representatives Alyssia Pisano and Georgie Brisbane are potent players, while for the Dragons, the midfield duo of Sophie McKay and Isabel Bacon will look to get on top. Eastern Ranges to have too much firepower though.

Gippsland Power vs. Northern Knights
Sunday, August 27 @ Morwell Recreation Reserve, 11:30am

Gippsland Power will be keen to make the most of a homeground advantage against Northern Knights, searching for their first win against a metropolitan team in a few years. They had a number of tight losses since beating the GWV Rebels back in Round 9, while the Knights have been thereabouts the top four throughout the year. Vic Country MVP Ash Centra has been named at centre half-forward following her national carnival success, while Rebecca Fitzpatrick and Jasmine Sowden will be key ball users going forward. Northern has a great depth of midfielders such as Zoe Hargreaves and Tahlia Plunkett who have been in good form. A game that should go down to the wire.

Oakleigh Chargers vs. Bendigo Pioneers
Sunday, August 27 @ Warrawee Park, 1:10pm

In the last match of the ground, Oakleigh Chargers will be keen to hold onto top spot with both Eastern Ranges and Dandenong Stingrays in threat of taking it. The Chargers come in with a 9-2 record, though should be too strong for a Bendigo Pioneers outfit who are 2-9 having missed key players through injury. The Pioneers will be thrilled to welcome back AFLW Academy member Lila Keck to provide top-end support with Bryde O’Rourke. Oakleigh Chargers have a number of top-end talents themselves, particularly for next year with Emma McDonald and Sienna Tallariti among the top Victorians for 2024.