A STACKED team of ball-winning midfielders and high-scoring forwards highlighted Round 2 of the Coates Talent League Girls Team of the Week. Winning sides, Eastern Ranges, Gippsland Power and Oakleigh Chargers all had four representatives, with nine of the 10 teams from the weekend featuring in the 24-strong squad.

After 47 disposals, 11 marks, 10 inside 50s and four goals, Ash Centra was an easy choice as captain. The Gippsland Power star was sublime all match, and along with Jasmine Sowden in midfield, won the ball and got it forward. Abby Hobson and Addison Howe provided marking targets inside 50 for Gippsland and also made the Team of the Week as one of the equal league-high four representatives.

Oakleigh Chargers had a big win over Dandenong Stingrays on Friday night, with skipper Sienna Tallariti standing out across half-back. Key forward Emma McDonald provided a target inside 50, while fellow forward Chloe Bown and ball-winning midfielder Maggie Mahony also made the side.

A couple of classy Eastern midfielders found their way into the team with Tayla McMillan and Stasia Stevenson joining a stacked group in there. Bottom-age ruck Josephine Bamford was named in that role for this team, while Jordyn Allen was smooth off half-back for the Ranges.

Sandringham Dragons enjoyed a good win over Western Jets, with winger Scout Howden taking up that specialist role, while full-forward Mia Zielinski‘s five-goal haul made her an easy selection for that spot. Classy midfielder Daisy Flockart was named on the bench.

Though they did not get the win, Calder Cannons still picked up three players to be the best represented losing side. Jade McLay was pushed to half-back given the strength of the midfield this week, while Kyla Forbes was named at half-forward, and Chloe Baker-West arguably the most unlucky not to be starting, but still on the interchange.

Speaking of unlucky, Bendigo Pioneers won but only had the two representatives in the Team of the Week, indicating an even team performance. Vic Country hub members Lucia Painter and Jemmika Douglas were the standouts in the victory over the Cannons.

Western Jets duo Sierra Grieves (vice-captain in this side) and Lou-Lou Field both earned starting spots in the midfield and defence respectively, while the remaining two spots in the side went to sole representatives in Dandenong Stingrays’ Kayla Dalgleish and Northern Knights’ Zoe Hargreaves.

Murray Bushrangers were the only side without a player in the team, though bottom-age midfielder Molly McLaren was one of three emergencies for the side. Sanne Bakker (Oakleigh Chargers) and Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges) were the other two.

2024 TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 2

B: Jordyn Allen (Eastern Ranges) – Lou-Lou Field (Western Jets) – Jemmika Douglas (Bendigo Pioneers)
HB: Sienna Tallariti (Oakleigh Chargers) – Jade McLay (Calder Cannons) – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
C: Stasia Stevenson (Eastern Ranges) – Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges) – Scout Howden (Sandringham Dragons)
HF: Kyla Forbes (Calder Cannons) – Emma McDonald (Oakleigh Chargers) – Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)
F: Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers) – Mia Zielinski (Sandringham Dragons) – Addison Howe (Gippsland Power)
R: Josephine Bamford (Eastern Ranges) – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power) (c) – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets) (vc)
INT: Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons) – Kayla Dalgleish (Dandenong Stingrays) – Abby Hobson (Gippsland Power) – Maggie Mahony (Oakleigh Chargers) – Daisy Flockart (Sandringham Dragons) – Jasmine Sowden (Gippsland Power)

EMG: Sanne Bakker (Oakleigh Chargers) – Molly McLaren (Murray Bushrangers) – Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges)