2024 Coates Talent League Girls: Round 6 wrap
ANOTHER full weekend of action saw seven games take place in the Coates Talent League Girls competition, with both Queensland Academies getting wins, and reigning premiers Oakleigh Chargers flexing their muscles.
- Team
Tasmania Devils
Dandenong Stingrays
Tasmania Devils 3.7 (25) lost to Dandenong Stingrays 6.7 (43)
Dandenong Stingrays returned home from the Apple Isle with the four points, holding off a Tasmania Devils fightback in the second half to win by three goals. The Devils drew within 15 points late in the third term, but the visitors steadied in the last to secure the victory.
STANDOUT: Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)
Rotating between midfield and attack, Reynolds showed her class in slippery conditions, using the ball well and impacting the contest. In particular, the talented top-ager extracted the ball from congestion on a number of occasions, and worked well around the ground.
OTHERS:
Along Reynolds were the likes of Nalu Brothwell who kicked an outstanding running goal and had 20 touches, while Kate Terri had a game-high 30 disposals, as well as eight tackles. Kayla Dalgleish and Nikita Harris worked tirelessly across the game with great defensive pressure. For the Devils, defender and AFLW Academy member Mackenzie Williams provided ample rebound, while the likes of Mischa Barwin, Meg Harrison and Harriet Bingley had their moments.
RMC MEDAL VOTES:
5 – Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)
4 – Nalu Brothwell (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – Mackenzie Williams (Tasmania Devils)
2 – Mischa Barwin (Tasmania Devils)
1 – Kate Terri (Dandenong Stingrays)
- Team
SUNS Academy
Geelong Falcons
Gold Coast Suns Academy 12.13 (85) defeated Geelong Falcons 2.4 (16)
Remaining undefeated, Gold Coast Suns Academy put Geelong Falcons to the sword up north, running out 69-point winners. The Suns had stars all across the park and kick six goals in both halves to never really look like losing in a commanding 12.13 (85) to 2.4 (16) performance.
STANDOUT: Havana Harris (Suns Academy)
The star tall had the ball on a string yet again, racking up 27 disposals, three marks, six tackles, 12 hitouts and nine inside 50s, only being a little wayward at goal with three behinds. She still provided plenty of dash and was able to pump the ball forward regularly to have an impact.
OTHERS:
The Suns Academy had no shortage of winners across the park, with the likes of top-agers Mia Salisbury and Heidi Talbot racking up the ball between half-back and midfield, while bottom-agers Dekota Baron and Alannah Welsh combined for 7.6 in the match. For the Falcons, Stella Huxtable and Georgia Tyrrell tried hard, while skipper Mekah Morrissy kicked a goal and was lively.
RMC MEDAL VOTES:
5 – Havana Harris (Suns Academy)
4 – Mia Salisbury (Suns Academy)
3 – Dekota Baron (Suns Academy)
2 – Heidi Talbot (Suns Academy)
1 – Alannah Welsh (Suns Academy)
- Team
Bendigo Pioneers
Northern Knights
Bendigo Pioneers 5.14 (44) lost to Northern Knights 7.6 (48)
Northern Knights remain in the top two after a hard-fought nail-biting win over Bendigo Pioneers at Queen Elizabeth Oval on Sunday. The Knights were more efficient when going inside 50, kicking 7.6 (48) to 5.14 (44) to win by four points and continue their great form this season.
STANDOUT: Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
The Vic Metro hub member was strong throughout the contest, working well across the field to win plenty of the ball and get contest-to-contest. She finished with 27 disposals, 10 marks, four tackles, four inside 50s and five rebound 50s, shining for the Knights in such a tight win.
OTHERS:
Alongside Hargreaves, skipper Holly Ridewood was amongst it and consistent as always, while key tall Isabella Caminiti tried hard. Ball-winners Katelyn Busuttil and Paige Graham had their moments as well for the Knights. AFLW Academy member Lucia Painter was once again the standout for the Knights, while co-skipper Lexi Gregor presented well – though kicked five behinds – and Jemmika Douglas showed class and physicality.
RMC MEDAL VOTES:
5 – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
4 – Lou Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)
3 – Holly Ridewood (Northern Knights)
2 – Isabella Caminiti (Northern Knights)
1 – Jemmika Douglas (Bendigo Pioneers)
- Team
Lions Academy
Calder Cannons
Brisbane Lions Academy 10.15 (75) defeated Calder Cannons 1.1 (7)
Brisbane Lions Academy flexed its muscles against Calder Cannons en route to a romping 68-point win in the Sunshine State. The Lions never looked like losing after quarter time, keeping the Cannons goalless and booting seven goals themselves in that time.
STANDOUT: Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons)
It is not often best on ground is a player in a 68-point loss, but that was exactly the case for the tireless working Bake-West who amassed 42 disposals three marks, five tackles, four inside 50s and nine rebounds in defeat. The bottom-ager covered the ground sensationally and had the ball on a string.
OTHERS:
The Lions Academy had no shortage of contributors, with co-skipper Isabella McDonough kicking three goals from 22 disposals, while Laura Roy and Mia Geere both had 20-plus disposals and slotted a major each. Defender Farrandai Hopkins was strong out of the back 50, while Zimra Hussain and Harlee McIlwain impressed. For the Cannons, Grace Azzopardi and Taylah Gilcrist were among the bigger ball-winners.
RMC MEDAL VOTES:
5 – Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons)
4 – Isabella McDonough (Lions Academy)
3 – Laura Roy (Lions Academy)
2 – Mia Geere (Lions Academy)
1 – Farrandai Hopkins (Lions Academy)
- Team
GWV Rebels
Gippsland Power
GWV Rebels 1.3 (9) lost to Gippsland Power 7.5 (47)
Gippsland Power proved too good for Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels at La Trobe University, kicking the first five goals of the match to do the hard work across the first three quarters. Though the Rebels finally put one through the big sticks, the Power kicked another two majors to make it a 38-point margin.
STANDOUT: Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
It was another day out for the pick one contender who amassed 34 disposals, six marks, four tackles, three inside 50s, two rebound 50s and booted two goals. She continued her wonderful form this season and helped guide the Power to a second straight victory.
OTHERS:
The likes of Jasmine Sowden (23 disposals, five marks, seven tackles, five inside 50s and a goal) and Ella Stoddart (19 disposals, three marks, three tackles and four inside 50s) were both prominent, as was midfielder Lilly Leighton. As for the Rebels, Isabella Davies had the ball on a string for another week, while Millie Lang and Elise Cook were strong in a losing effort.
RMC MEDAL VOTES:
5 – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
4 – Isabella Davies (GWV Rebels)
3 – Millie Lang (GWV Rebels)
2 – Jasmine Sowden (Gippsland Power)
1 – Elise Cook (GWV Rebels)
- Team
Oakleigh Chargers
Murray Bushrangers
Murray Bushrangers 1.4 (10) lost to Oakleigh Charegrs 19.16 (130)
It was a dominant performance from the reigning champs as Oakleigh Chargers stormed to a 20-goal win over Murray Bushrangers. Oakleigh kept the Bushrangers winless and only conceded one goal, while kicking 11.7 to 0.4 after half-time to win by 120 points.
STANDOUT: Maggie Mahony (Oakleigh Chargers)
It was an all-round dominant performance from Mahony who stuffed the stats sheet offensively and defensively. The tough nut racked up 37 disposals, four marks, 14 tackles, 10 inside 50s and booted four goals to rise above the rest in a ridiculous outing.
OTHERS:
Alongside Mahony, Chloe Bown also kicked four goals and had 27 disposals, while Bailee Martin booted 2.4 from 18 touches and eight marks. Through midfield, Sarah Poustie and Jacinta Baxter found their fair share of the ball, as skipper Sienna Tallariti stepped up. The usual suspects in Holly Egan, Rose Bell and Madison Ibrahim were industrious for the Bushrangers.
RMC MEDAL VOTES:
5 – Maggie Mahony (Oakleigh Chargers)
4 – Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers)
3 – Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers)
2 – Bailee Martin (Oakleigh Chargers)
1 – Sienna Tallariti (Oakleigh Chargers)
- Team
Sandringham Dragons
Western Jets
Western Jets 3.4 (22) lost to Sandringham Dragons 8.4 (52)
Booting the final five goals of the game, Sandringham Dragons kicked clear of a determined Western Jets outfit to win by that exact margin. At the eight and a half minute mark of the fourth quarter, the Jets tied the scores at 3.4 (22) apiece, before Sandringham piled on five straight goals in 11 minutes to secure a comfortable 30-point win.
STANDOUT: Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
Despite being on the losing side of the ledger, Grieves was everywhere for her side, standing up across four quarters and racking up 29 disposals, eight tackles, six inside 50s nad five rebound 50s to do everything in her power to try and drag her team over the line.
OTHERS:
Sandringham was once again headlined by Sophie McKay (27 disposals, five marks, six tackles and five inside 50s) who had a day out, while winger Scout Howden on the outside, and the forward duo of Mia Zielinski (three goals) and Tiger Doultree (18 disposals, five inside 50s) were both busy. For the Jets, Lou-Lou Field had a return of 21 disposals, nine marks and five rebound 50s, while Hannah Brodie and Alex McBride-Loane both found plenty of the pill.
RMC MEDAL VOTES:
5 – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
4 – Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons)
3 – Scout Howden (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Lou-Lou Field (Western Jets)
1 – Tiger Doultree (Sandringham Dragons)