TWO Northern Academy sides entered the Coates Talent League Girls competition in Round 3 as the weekend’s action extended out to seven games in a blockbuster weekend of action. We recap the standouts and how each match went down.

Northern Knights 6.4 (40) defeated GWV Rebels 4.2 (26)

Northern Knights made it two wins from three games, knocking off the GWV Rebels in a close 14-point contest. The Knights only led by three points at the main break, but a four goals to nil third term set up the victory, surviving a last quarter comeback from the Rebels to get up, 6.4 (40) to 4.2 (26).

STANDOUT: Holly Ridewood (Northern Knights)

The Knights skipper was rock solid across four quarters, standing up for her side in the tight victory. She found plenty of the ball and finished with 28 touches, two marks, seven tackles and eight inside 50s, providing a key transitional link between midfield and attack.

OTHERS:

For the first time this year the Hargreaves sisters ran out together, with the younger sibling Phoebe kicking three goals in the low-scoring contest, while Zoe was her usual self across midfield and working back when required. Tahlia Plunkett and Hannah Scott were also among the better Northern players on the day. Tenacious small Isabella Davies and captain Millie Lang looked good, while Elsie Conroy caught the eye.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Holly Ridewood (Northern Knights)
4 – Isabella Davies (GWV Rebels)
3 – Phoebe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
2 – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
1 – Millie Lang (GWV Rebels)

Gippsland Power 2.7 (19) lost to Sydney Swans Academy 10.11 (71)

Sydney Swans Academy kicked away from Gippsland Power in the second half, keeping the Power scoreless while piling on 7.8 in a dominant performance. The Power were hurt by the loss of Ash Centra to illness in the second term, with the well balanced Swans Academy having plenty of contributors during the 52-point victory.

STANDOUT: Emma Juneja (Swans Academy)

Juneja might not have had the most touches, but she was extreme in her impact. She loved to run and carry, tucking the ball under her arm and backing herself to sidestep others. She finished with 20 disposals, six marks, eight inside 50s and a goal playing off a wing and was able to set up a number of other scoring opportunities for her teammates by opening the game up.

OTHERS:

The Swans Academy duo who spent time at VFL Women’s level in Imogen Brown and Amelia Martin had enormous impact across the ground, while Taylor Smith provided an – albeit wayward at times – target up forward for the red and white. Defender Ellie Veerhuis and midfielders Lucy Yates and Kiera Yerbury were also among the better Swans. For the Power, Jasmine Sowden was the clear standout with 32 disposals, five marks, four tackles, four inside 50s and nine rebound 50s, while bottom-ager Rebecca Fitzpatrick and defender Ella Stoddart tried hard all match.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Emma Juneja (Swans Academy)
4 – Imogen Brown (Swans Academy)
3 – Jasmine Sowden (Gippsland Power)
2 – Amelia Martin (Swans Academy)
1 – Taylor Smith (Swans Academy)

Calder Cannons 4.3 (27) lost to Sandringham Dragons 12.9 (81)

Sandringham Dragons shook off an early challenge from Calder Cannons to boot five goals to nil in the second term and essentially end the contest. At times the home side showed glimpses of what they are capable of, but the Dragons were so well balanced across the board with firepower inside 50 to get the job done by nine goals.

STANDOUT: Scout Howden (Sandringham Dragons)

It was an incredibly even performance from the Dragons, and one of those games where the five votes could have gone to any number of players. In this case we gave it to Howden who provided run and carry on the outside and an outlet player who was strong overhead. She finished with 25 disposals, seven marks, five tackles and five inside 50s in the match.

OTHERS:

Howden had plenty of support around the ground with fellow midfielders Daisy Flockart and Sophie McKay productive, and forwards Mia Zielinski (four goals), Olive McLean (two) and Tiger Doultree (one) all impressive as they hit the scoreboard. Kyla Forbes was again of the best for Calder Cannons, with Jayla Rutley‘s 23 touches the most of any player on the losing side.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Scout Howden (Sandringham Dragons)
4 – Mia Zielinski (Sandringham Dragons)
3 – Olive McLean (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Daisy Flockart (Sandringham Dragons)
1 – Tiger Doultree (Sandringham Dragons)

Dandenong Stingrays 7.14 (56) defeated Geelong Falcons 6.11 (47)

In the game of the round, Dandenong Stingrays got on the board in the battle of last year’s preliminary finalists, defeating Geelong Falcons by nine points at Belvedere Reserve. The sides had only kicked four goals each in the first three quarters, before a combined five goals in the last term results in Dandenong Stingrays getting up in a thriller.

STANDOUT: Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)

The smooth-moving Stingrays midfielder was outstanding in her work in the forward half of the ground, making an impact from her 17 disposals, always looking calm and compose under pressure. It could have gone to a number of players, but Reynolds really caught the eye.

OTHERS:

It was a game where players had a lot of ‘moments’ and Dandenong Stingrays captain stepped up to boot 2.4 from 19 disposals and take five marks rotating between forward and the ruck. She was one of a number of contributors, with Nikita Harris, Kayla Dalgleish, Jemaya Bressan and Makhaela Bluhm all eye-catchers. For the Falcons, captain Mekah Morrissy only had 13 touches but was influential with just about all of them, constantly putting her body on the line. Fellow winger Lucy Marescuk and ball magnet Sara Howley were also strong, while ruck Hayley Peck came up big.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)
4 – Zoe Besanko (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – Lucy Marescuk (Geelong Falcons)
2 – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)
1 – Mekah Morrissy (Geelong Falcons)

GWS Giants Academy 6.6 (42) lost to Tasmania Devils 13.9 (87)

An impressive final term saw Tasmania Devils storm away from GWS Giants Academy to record a huge 45-point win up at Blacktown. The Devils led by 10 points at the main break, but started to gather momentum after half-time, kicking seven of the last nine goals of the match to enjoy a dominant 13.9 (87) to 6.6 (42) victory.

STANDOUT: Tunisha Kikoak (Tasmania Devils)

Overage tall Kikoak had a day to remember against the Giants, booting two goals from 24 touches in the match. Playing as a ruck who could go forward, Kikoak also had 15 hitouts and five inside 50s to be a key player for the Devils in winning the away fixture.

OTHERS:

Working hard around Kikoak were the likes of Mischa Barwin, Matilda Rockliff and Priya Bowering, while AFLW Academy talent Mackenzie Williams and debutant Josie Rose (four goals) also stood out. Returning from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), Ellie Hall made a successful return for the Giants Academy, as the likes of Isla Wiencke, Amelie Prosser-Shaw, Megan Mifsud and Majella Day (three goals) were shining lights.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Tunisha Kikoak (Tasmania Devils)
4 – Mischa Barwin (Tasmania Devils)
3 – Josephine Rose (Tasmania Devils)
2 – Isla Wiencke (Giants Academy)
1 – Ellie Hall (Giants Academy)

Oakleigh Chargers 13.7 (85) defeated Eastern Ranges 4.2 (26)

Reigning premiers Oakleigh Chargers moved to 3-0 to start their 2024 defence, taking care of Eastern Ranges in an ominous performance. The Chargers booted 12 goals to two across the first three quarters, and while the Ranges fought to the end outscoring them in the final term, went down by 59 points.

STANDOUT: Emma McDonald (Oakleigh Chargers)

For the second week in a row the tall forward was influential with her work inside 50, booting 3.2 from 21 touches and three marks, while also getting up the ground to record five inside 50s and lay three tackles. A handful for opposition defenders, expect her to be a threat for the five votes each week.

OTHERS:

The Chargers midfield continued to hum nicely with Sarah Poustie‘s work overhead strong, working hard with the likes of Maggie Mahony and Sanne Bakker. Captain Sienna Tallariti led the defence supremely, while Chloe Bown had an influence in the front half of the ground. For the Ranges, the midfield trio of Grace Belloni, Tayla McMillan and Jordyn Allen were the clear standout, working hard for four quarters.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Emma McDonald (Oakleigh Chargers)
4 – Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers)
3 – Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges)
1 – Maggie Mahony (Oakleigh Chargers)

Bendigo Pioneers 9.7 (61) lost to Western Jets 8.6 (54)

Bendigo Pioneers won in a nail-biter against Western Jets after looking to be in control for most of the match. Leading from the 13th minute of the first term, the Pioneers had some scares along the way, including the Jets closing to within a kick with five minutes remaining. However Bendigo held on to win by seven points to notch up win number two.

STANDOUT: Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)

The 2022 Vic Country Under 16s MVP was back to her best in the win over the Jets collecting 30 disposals, six marks, 13 tackles, 11 inside 50s and booting 1.2 to be our Coates Talent League Girls Player of the Week. She showed off her strength in the air and at ground level and really steered her side to victory.

OTHERS:

Working alongside Painter were the likes of defender Jemmika Douglas (16 disposals, seven rebound 50s) and forward Gabrielle Drage (three goals) who were busy in their respective halves, while Shaleah Cooper and Ella Jeffrey also had their moments in the match. Sierra Grieves had another day out for the Jets with 34 disposals, as well as 10 tackles and eight inside 50s. Indi Stanley and Olivia Castello were also among the best.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)
4 – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
3 – Jemmika Douglas (Bendigo Pioneers)
2 – Indi Stanley (Western Jets)
1 – Gabby Drage (Bendigo Pioneers)