A FOUR-game fixture is on the cards for the Coates Talent League Girls when Round 3 begins tomorrow. We preview each of the matches and name some players to watch.

Saturday, April 20
Preston City Oval @ 10:30am

FORM:

It has been a long wait for the GWV Rebels, who played on opening night, going down against Geelong Falcons. Since then, the Rebels have had to wait over three weeks for their next match, with the chance to bounce back against the Knights. Northern won in Round 1 against Calder Cannons and looked like backing it up against Eastern Ranges last week with a five goals to one lead, only for the Ranges to storm home and snatch the four points.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Northern Knights:

The return of Phoebe Hargreaves to join her sister Zoe will be a benefit for the Knights, with the younger sibling spending time in a moon boot in the lead-up to the season. She will play forward while Zoe players midfield and defence for the Knights, as the bottom-age contingent of Olivia Gorman, Scarlett Johnson and Katelyn Busuttil will continue their form, though Marlo Graham will miss.

GWV Rebels:

Rebels skipper Millie Lang has been named to start on-ball, a role that she showed in patches against the Falcons. No doubt she will still spend time in defence, with the AFLW Academy member and fellow tall Claire Mahony aerial specialists, Look for bottom-agers Maggie Johnstone and Jovie Skewes-Clinton to also play key roles up opposite ends.

PREDICTION

Northern Knights have looked good the past two weeks and could easily be unbeaten had they held up in Round 2. The Rebels have height that will worry the the Knights, but could be a bit rusty at the same time. The result will come down to whether the speedy Knights can get the ball forward, or whether GWV’s tall timber can control the tempo with their contested marking.

Saturday, April 20
Shepley Oval @ 10:45am

FORM:

Gippsland Power is coming off an impressive performance against Murray Bushrangers last week, winning 87-0 and will be hoping to build on that momentum against a Swans Academy side that is playing its first Coates Talent League Girls match of the year.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Gippsland Power:

The obvious one is pick one contender Ash Centra whose Round 2 performance of 47 disposals and four goals will be hard to beat. It might be tougher her but she will no doubt be difficult to contain. Jasmine Sowden is another midfield talent to watch, and the trio of marking talents up front in Addison Howe, Abby Hobson and Chelsea Sutton will be important, as will rebounding defender Ella Stoddart.

Swans Academy:

AFLW Academy member Emma Juneja will provide some pace around the ground, while Swans skipper Taylor Smith and fellow forward Lauren Bull will provide marking targets inside 50. The run and carry of Ella Parker will be another highlight for Swans fans keeping tabs on the game.

>> Sydney Swans Academy preview

PREDICTION

A tough one to predict given the success of the Swans Academy last year and the evident talent. They have already had some good success at the recent Summer Series, but the momentum of Gippsland from last week will be a big watch. If Centra explodes again, the Power will be hard to beat.

Saturday, April 20
Highgate Recreation Reserve @ 11:00am

FORM:

Returning home after a trip to Bendigo, Calder Cannons are still searching for their first win of the season after going down to the Pioneers last week and the Northern Knights in Round 1. Sandringham Dragons got on the board with a victory over Western Jets in Round 2 after falling to Eastern Ranges the week before.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Calder Cannons:

It was an impressive performance from Calder’s top young stars last week with Kyla Forbes and Chloe Baker-West both racking up the ball with ease, though the latter is out from this game. Another bottom-ager in Jade McLay also provided her usual strength around the ball, but did come off sore late in the match after flying for a marking contest. Stephanie Mitchell looked good in her first game for the season last week.

Sandringham Dragons:

Carlton father-daughter prospect Sophie McKay will always have plenty of attention in her top-age season, though both Daisy Flockart and Scout Howden are producing some big performances to put their hands up. Over-age forward Mia Zielinski is coming off a powerful five-goal performance against the Jets.

PREDICTION

Sandringham looked to have made inroads last week after struggling to score in Round 1 early, and the Dragons have a balanced list across the board. Calder looks good for its bottom-agers in particular next year, but have a lot of players who are still developing their craft.

Saturday, April 20
Belvedere Reserve @ 1:00pm

FORM:

Dandenong Stingrays were no match for a red-hot Oakleigh Chargers at Shepley Oval last week, but looked about as good as a team could in a 50-point defeat. Geelong Falcons have had to wait over three weeks for their second match since knocking off GWV Rebels on Easter Thursday.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Dandenong Stingrays:

The Stingrays have no shortage of draftable talents headlined by forward/ruck Zoe Besanko who will also spend time on-ball at different points this season. The midfield/forward trio of Kayla Dalgleish – who was the Stingrays’ best in Round. 2- Jemma Reynolds and Jemaya Bressan will be important, while twins Mizuki (defence) and Nalu Brothwell (attack) showed plenty of signs on debut.

Geelong Falcons:

Geelong winger Mekah Morrissy will be buoyed by confidence following her VFLW performance on the weekend where she really impressed for Geelong spending plenty of time on-ball. The Falcons will once again look to the likes of Sara Howley in this game, while tall Kiara Woods and the dangerous Rebecca Clottey pose a problem in attack. Bottom-ager Stella Huxtable was a standout last match through the midfield.

PREDICTION

This looms as a ripping contest with both sides tipped to be there at the pointy end of the season. Dandenong will have taken plenty from the loss to the Chargers, while the Falcons might be a touch rusty to start with. It will be a battle of the midfields with the clearance winning side likely to benefit on the scoreboard.