IT was a triple treat of action across the weekend as the second half of the Coates Talent League Girls Round 1 played out. Taking place across all different venues, it was Northern Knights, Eastern Ranges and Oakleigh Chargers who all picked up victories to go with Geelong’s win over Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels back on Easter Thursday.

>> Scouting Notes: 2024 Coates Talent League Girls – Round 1a

Calder Cannons 2.4 (16) defeated by Northern Knights 5.10 (40)

By: Peter Williams

CALDER CANNONS:

#4 Ava Gerada
Forward | 171cm | 12/02/2006

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles

The Cannons skipper worked hard around the ground often producing actions that were not rewarded on the stats sheet. She applied pressure and got into good positions, or allowed teammates to flourish. In the fourth minute of the final term, she took a great contested mark and followed up with a neat short kick.

#5 Jade McLay
Midfielder/Defender | 177cm | 11/02/2007

Stats: 29 disposals, 6 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

The standout Cannon throughout the day, McLay had the ball on a string, winning it across all four quarters. Her strength in close was impressive and she won a number of important stoppages. Causing headaches for the opposition consistently, perhaps it was just the final execution that let her down at times. However the fact she can clear the danger zone and kick it well over 40m helps put it into space for her teammates. A standout performance.

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

#3 Marlo Graham
Midfielder/Forward | 163cm | 15/11/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 2 goals

Our Rookie Me Central Coates Talent League Girls Player of the Week, Graham was sensational throughout the game, kicking two goals in the second half when forward. Her first was a classy finish to put Northern 20 points ahead midway through the quarter, then her second one came in the sixth minute of the final term putting one through the big sticks. Around the ground, Graham was quick by hand and clean with her release, and though she can occasionally get pushed off it as a smaller player, was generally impactful with the majority of her touches.

#7 Scarlett Johnson
Forward | 174cm | 26/11/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 2 goals

Johnson did well in the front half of the ground kicking a couple of goals with the first being a soccer under pressure in the goalsquare and the second being a clever flying snap which sailed home. Providing some quick hands at half-forward and a target in the air, the bottom-ager started the year off well.

#10 Katelyn Busuttil
Forward/Midfield | 161cm | 15/02/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 5 tackles, 7 inside 50s

After seven games last year, Busuttil had one to remember, racking up 28 disposals and providing drive inside 50. She has quick closing speed and enjoyed taking grass where possible, and had the sense to lift her hands above the tackle to get the ball clear. Still developing areas of her game, the youngster was lively throughout the four quarters.

#25 Kiara Keenan
Defender | 168cm | 21/12/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles

The bottom-ager caught the eye on debut, particularly in the third term where she was composed and saved a number of scoring opportunities for the Cannons. Early in the quarter she even sidestepped a player and ran to half-back, and though at times she might turn the odd ball over, Keenan’s work in traffic was very good and her clean hands stood out.

Sandringham Dragons 2.4 (16) defeated by Eastern Ranges 6.15 (51)

By: Michael Alvaro

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#21 Daisy Flockart
Midfielder | 179cm | 23/02/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 8 tackles, 4 inside 50s

A mainstay in midfield, Flockart was consistently the most likely Dragon to make something happen in the middle – largely thanks to her size and burst speed. She used her power on several occasions to snatch quick meters and boot the ball forward, proving both an effective straight-line runner and slick side-stepper. Flockart was troublesome on the attack and she also imposed herself defensively with eight tackles, while popping up for a few strong aerial contests.

#46 Scout Howden
Wing | 174cm | 17/02/2006

Stats: 29 disposals, 9 marks, 6 rebound 50s

By far the best Dragon afield, Howden worked tirelessly on the wing and would have covered just about every blade of grass on RSEA Park. Donning the long-sleever, she ended up with 10 more disposals than any other teammate and found them in all parts of the ground, but particularly when dropping back to support the defence. She also set up a wall across attacking 50 and utilised her height to impact aerially, proving a reliable outlet in all phases of the game. In possession, she looked evasive and tended to make the right decisions, even through the likely fatigue her work rate would have imposed.

#51 Jacinta Boyd
Defender | 172cm | 03/04/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 17 kicks, 7 rebound 50s

The going was tough for Sandringham’s defence and Boyd had to stand tall as its centrepiece. She was tasked with sparking the Dragons’ transitional play by taking on much of the kick-in duties and looking to generate some momentum going forward. Many of her left-footed passes were directed short and she formed a nice link with Howden, often looking for the winger as the first target when bringing the ball back into play. In an important role amid tricky conditions, she was largely up to the task.

EASTERN RANGES:

#6 Tayla McMillan
Midfielder | 161cm | 25/05/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 9 tackles, 5 inside 50s

While only a bottom-ager, McMillan would have to be among the competition’s best ball users already. The diminutive midfielder utilised her turn of speed to get to the outside and carve Sandringham up by foot, hitting targets for fun heading inside 50. Equal parts skilful and tenacious, McMillan also competed hard over the ball and was clean in the clinches, while making life hard for her opponents by applying punishing tackle pressure. Top marks.

#7 Stasia Stevenson
Forward/Midfielder | 164cm | 02/10/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s

Rotating through midfield from the forward line, Stevenson had her moments throughout a game where her side was well and truly on top. She started out inside 50 and was lively in the opening term, registering a set shot and making things happen at ground level. She looked dangerous when using her speed to break out the back, even dashing towards goal with a couple of running bounces in term three.

#10 Jordyn Allen
Defender/Midfielder | 166cm | 12/11/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles

Akin to her AFLW counterpart of the same name, Allen was posted down back before also getting a run in midfield. She is capable of playing above her 166cm listing with clean and gutsy overhead marking, supported by her sound reading of the play. Allen held a high line as part of Eastern’s wall, helping lock the ball in to the front half for extended periods. She was also eye-catching with ball in hand, showing opponents a clean set of heels as she looked to turn defence into attack.

#12 Georgia Knight
Forward | 164cm | 11/10/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 3 goals

Somewhat of an old school forward, Knight helped herself to seven scoring shots as Eastern chalked up 39 inside 50s. Her craft is clearly a strength, proving clever with short and sharp leading patterns, and always being able to sniff out scoring opportunities. Knight registered Eastern’s first score of the day, and later its opening goal to break a streak of nine behinds. Her conversion wasn’t always on point in less than ideal conditions, but she rewarded teammates for finding her by making things happen inside 50.

#24 Evie Parker
Wing/Forward | 179cm | 06/07/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles

A 179cm winger, Parker possesses some promising traits and utilised them to show glimpses of her potential on Saturday. Her size was useful when moving opponents off the loose ball, often doing so easily to leave clear space ahead of her. She is still a little raw but also did some nice things up forward, including an overhead mark and goal assist for Knight in the final quarter.

#30 Isla Baldwin
Midfielder/Forward | 162cm | 22/12/2005

Stats: 31 disposals, 10 tackles, 1 goal

A Carlton VFLW-listed player, Baldwin imposed herself on the contest like any over-ager should. She was prominent around the ball with game-high disposal and tackle tallies, while also hitting the scoreboard via a snap goal to cap off her day in style. In tandem with Paterson, Baldwin hunted the ball with repeat efforts at stoppage and was generally clean before bundling it forward. Her tackle pressure and willingness to hit hard came to the fore when resting inside 50.

#35 Molly Paterson
Midfielder | 170cm | 11/02/2006

Stats: 25 disposals, 4 marks, 5 inside 50s

Paterson was her usual self in midfield, racking up bulk possessions and consistently applying herself at the contest. She wasn’t afraid to carry the ball in spurts during the early stages, but really came to the fore in term two with her ability to form a wall across forward 50. As Eastern kicked away to a decisive lead, Paterson played a big part by intercepting Sandringham’s exits and repeatedly launching the ball back into dangerous areas.

Tasmania Devils 6.5 (41) defeated by Oakleigh Chargers 7.4 (46)

By: Peter Williams

TASMANIA DEVILS:

#1 Mischa Barwin
Forward | 164cm | 04/12/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 tackles, 8 inside 50s, 1 goal

Had some nice plays throughout the day and likes to burst through traffic when given the opportunity. Barwin showed off her hard running in the fourth term when she got to the right place at the right time in the goalsquare to kick a major to put her side ahead. Can rush at times with her execution, but that will come with more time in the system.

#4 Ava Read
Forward | 176cm | 21/06/2006

Stats: 9 disposals, 11 tackles, 2 hitouts, 2 goals

Looked to be in for a big day early when kicking two first quarter goals and adding to the Devils’ 26-point quarter time lead. Her first came in the opening minute out of a forward stoppage, then her next one came late in the term where she got goalside on her opponent and kicked the easiest of majors. A late chance in the final quarter went begging out on the full, but her defensive pressure inside 50 was terrific, laying more tackles (11) than disposals (nine).

#15 Priya Bowering
Midfielder | 167cm | 02/01/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s

The standout Devil in the loss, Bowering was consistent throughout the match and continually did all she could to drag the team over the line. Her overhead marking was superb, her natural strength and contested ball-winning ability stands out and she absorbs body contact easily and can spin out of trouble. Boasting a booming kick that can clear a long distance, Bowering was a huge force on-ball.

#26 Harriet Bingley
Utility | 172cm | 23/03/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

Bingley has the capacity to play anywhere, and though predominantly forward, when Oakleigh Chargers were on top, she was thrown back to help out. She kicked a goal in the opening two minutes of the match with a clean pickup and snap, before playing higher and using her long kick to get it inside 50. When in defence she looked to pick the right options and at one stage charged off half-back. She won a free kick for holding the ball early in the second term but her set shot from 40m drifted for a behind.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#1 Jacinta Baxter
Forward | 163cm | 18/01/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 3 tackles, 2 goals

Baxter provided the spark the Chargers needed in the second term with a huge quarter after a quiet first term. It was hardly her fault early though with the ball up the other end, but when she got a sniff of it, she converted two goals and had a stack of touches at half-forward. Her two majors came in the space of a couple of minutes, and got her eye into the game. She had another snap on goal but missed to the left early in the third, but worked hard in the forward half of the ground.

#5 Abbey Vicino
Midfielder | 157cm | 13/02/2006

Stats: 33 disposals, 4 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Vicino brought her own ball to the game, racking up a ridiculous 33 disposals – 10 more than anyone else on the field. Though one who likes to flick out handballs quickly, Vicino was able to find some space to kick, and when she has added time from winning a free kick or a mark, she can lace out her kicks well. Her composure under pressure is an area to improve on, but she has good hands and set up a number of scoring opportunities going inside 50. An impressive moment was a spoil late in the first half in the defensive 50 to stop a mark and send it out of bounds going back with the flight.

#11 Sanne Bakker
Defender/Midfielder | 171cm | 29/10/2005

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 12 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The over-age debutant made a splash with a lot of her good work done at half-back and in transition. She was an outstanding tackler with her ability to roll opponents once they were on the ground to ensure the ball did not get out. In the air, Bakker took a number of strong marks to round out what was a promising outing.

#24 Ebony Jago
Forward | 169cm | 12/11/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 2 inside 50s, 3 goals

Another player on debut, the bottom-ager was a lively force inside 50, not needing many opportunities to do maximum damage on the scoreboard. Each time she got a look, Jago put it straight through the big sticks, including two in the second term, getting her side off the mark. Her third major came in the dying seconds of the premiership quarter with a quick snap at the top of the goalsquare amongst congestion.

#35 Zoe Curry
Midfielder | 19/10/2008

The double bottom-ager gave shades of Charlie Rowbottom when she was running around for Oakleigh, providing a strong body at stoppages with the power to break away. Though at times she would get pinged, she continually tested herself and got the ball free by hand. Her pass in the opening minute of the second term set up Oakleigh’s first goal to Jago, and she was very impressive around the ground. A developing player who will benefit from further exposure.