JOINING in on a dominant win, Oakleigh Chargers’ Maggie Mahony had a day out at Deakin Reserve against the Murray Bushrangers to earn our Coates Talent League Player of the Week nomination for Round 6.

Mahony racked up 37 disposals, four marks ,14 tackles, 10 inside 50s, two rebound 50s and kicked four goals in a jaw-dropping display from the midfielder/forward. Though the Chargers had no shortage of stars on the day, Mahony stood about the rest with her balance of offensive and defensive traits, also winning seven clearances and running at 64.9 per cent efficiency.

The performance marked the third straight game Mahony has hit the scoreboard predominantly playing midfield, but it is her best performance in front of goal, having only kicked the five goals in her first two seasons at the club. This year she has already eclipsed that performance with four majors, while having her second 30-plus disposal game of the year.

In earning 37 touches, Mahony produced her career-best in the Coates Talent League Girls, and has lifted her season averaged to 29.8 – up from 20.7 as a bottom-ager – as well as 3.3 marks, 8.5 tackles, 6.0 inside 50s and 2.0 rebound 50s, all well above her 2023 averages.

While Mahony was our Player of the Week, a couple of teammates were not far off with Chloe Bown slotting four goals from 27 disposals, while Sarah Poustie had 31 disposals, nine tackles, seven inside 50s and a goal.

Despite Mahony’s large disposal haul, it was not the most for the weekend, with Calder Cannons’ Chloe Baker-West achieving that feat. The bottom-ager amassed a ridiculous 42 disposals, three marks, five tackles, four inside 50s and nine rebound 50s in a 68-point loss to Brisbane Lions Academy. The best of the Lions players was co-skipper Isabella McDonough who booted three goals from 22 touches.

Past Player of the Week nominee Ash Centra was at her brutal best against the GWV Rebels in Round 6, accumulating 34 disposals and kicking two goals. Fellow pick one contender Havana Harris also impressed in her Suns Academy side’s win over Geelong Falcons, finishing with 27 disposals and nine inside 50s.

Other players across the weekend who caught the eye include Northern Knights’ Zoe Hargreaves (27 disposals, 10 marks, four inside 50s and five rebound 50s) and Western Jets’ Sierra Grieves (29 disposals, eight tackles, six inside 50s and five rebounds).

2024 COATES TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Round 1 – Marlo Graham (Northern Knights)
Round 2 – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
Round 3 – Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)
Round 4 – Mischa Barwin (Tasmania Devils)
Round 5 – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)
Round 6 – Maggie Mahony (Oakleigh Chargers)