DANDENONG Stingrays midfielder Jemma Reynolds has had a strong season to-date and that rolled on in Round 8 of the Coates Talent League Girls competition. With the round now complete after a standalone Thursday night fixture last night, the chosen Player of the Week nomination went to the top-age Stingray.

Playing in Dandenong’s tight win over Sydney Swans Academy, the 163cm midfielder accumulated 31 disposals, eight inside 50s and three rebound 50s, as well as taking a mark and laying a tackle. Her work around the ball was superb, winning a stack of clearances in close and pumping it forward each chance she got to control the tempo out of the midfield and going forward.

It was Reynolds’ second straight 30-plus disposal game after 30 touches in a loss to Brisbane Lions Academy the week before. She has also had games of 25 and 29 disposals in her past five games, making it a dominant month and a half for the Vic Country hub member.

Reynolds becomes the first Stingrays player to be nominated for Player of the Week, but the fifth Country player, including three of the past four nominations. The last four players have been pure midfielders, with a number of others being dual position talents.

Across the league, Kayla Dalgleish also caught the eye with 25 touches and two goals in the same game, continuing her impressive form between midfield and attack. Past Player of the Week nominees Ash Centra (29 disposals, eight marks and two goals), Sara Howley (36 disposals, one goal) and Mekah Morrissy (24 disposals, one goal) all had impressive outings yet again.

Despite playing in a loss, Phoebe Hargreaves (31 disposals, one goal) and older sister Zoe Hargreaves (25 disposals, two goals) both caught the eye alongside Round 1 nominee, Marlo Graham (29 disposals). Among others who impressed were Western Jets’ Sierra Grieves and Eastern Ranges’ Grace Belloni who both found plenty of the ball.

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)
Round 7 – Mekah Morrissy (Geelong Falcons)
Round 8 – Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)