EASTERN Ranges and Sandringham Dragons both enjoyed big wins in Round 17 of the Coates Talent League Girls, and they shared a league-high four players apiece in our Rookie Me Central Team of the Week.

Five of the six winning sides recorded three players in the side, with the GWV Rebels and Bendigo Pioneers having two apiece in what was an even contest up until three quarter time. The remaining five losers shared in just the three players for the 24-strong squad.

The Rebels and Pioneers game in question provided this week’s skipper, with Rebels’ captain Jess Rentsch booting three goals from 27 disposals despite playing a half-back/midfielder role. She is joined in the team by fellow Vic Country representative Lily Jordan who produced a career-high 29 touches on the weekend, while the Pioneers were represented in the team by Steph Demeo and double bottom-ager Olivia Lacy.

Eastern Ranges secured top spot on the Talent League Girls ladder in style, with an impressive performance across the field. Strong utility Georgia Stubs slotted straight on-ball in her best on ground performance, while Georgia Knight shone with a four-goal performance up forward. Her partner-in-crime Alyssia Pisano kicked three goals in the win and made it onto the bench, as did fellow AFLW Academy member Jess Vukic who excelled through the ruck.

Sandringham Dragons provided both wings in the Team of the Week, with the classy Daisy Flockart and tough Isabel Bacon both making the squad. Also in the team was over-age ruck Maddison Torpey and tall utility Emily Gough who has played all three lines.

Dandenong Stingrays confirmed their place as the top country side with a commanding win over Geelong Falcons. Rays’ skipper Jemma Ramsdale lead from the front in defence and was named at centre half-back, while up the other end of the field, over-ager Abbey Tregellis and bottom-ager Stella Rogers fill put the half-forward line.

Calder Cannons’ trio of gun midfielders made the team with Vic Metro Under 18s MVP Kayley Kavanagh and AFLW Academy member Amy Gaylor earning starting spots in the midfield. Metro Under 16s MVP Chloe Baker-West was also named on the bench.

Gippsland Power’s future was on display in an impressive win over Murray Bushrangers at Shepley Oval. Bottom-ager Jasmine Sowden spent more time up forward while rotating through the midfield, while 2007-born duo Abby Hobson – who kicked four goals from 18 touches and 11 marks – and Ella Stoddart found their way into the side.

Completing the 24-player team were individual club representatives in Alice Voss (Murray Bushrangers), Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons) and Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers). The three emergencies chosen for the final round were Bushrangers’ 2008-born talent Rose Bell, Western Jets’ Stella Cossey and GWV Rebels’ Molly Walton.

2023 TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 17

B: Ella Stoddart (Gippsland Power) – Alice Voss (Murray Bushrangers) – Steph Demeo (Bendigo Pioneers)
HB: Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons) – Jemma Ramsdale (Dandenong Stingrays) – Jess Rentsch (GWV Rebels) (c)
C: Daisy Flockart (Sandringham Dragons) – Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons) – Isabel Bacon (Sandringham Dragons)
HF: Stella Rogers (Dandenong Stingrays) – Abbey Tregellis (Dandenong Stingrays) – Jasmine Sowden (Gippsland Power)
F: Lily Jordan (GWV Rebels) – Abby Hobson (Gippsland Power) – Georgia Knight (Eastern Ranges)
R: Maddison Torpey (Sandringham Dragons) – Georgia Stubs (Eastern Ranges) – Amy Gaylor (Calder Cannons)
INT: Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons) – Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers) – Emily Gough (Sandringham Dragons) – Olivia Lacy (Bendigo Pioneers) – Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges) – Jess Vukic (Eastern Ranges)

EMG: Rose Bell (Murray Bushrangers) – Stella Cossey (Western Jets) – Molly Walton (GWV Rebels)