IN perhaps the strangest round of Coates Talent League action regarding Team of the Week nominees, two losing sides were among the equal most players for Round 8. Both Murray Bushrangers and Northern Knights went down in narrow losses, but picked up three players apiece in the Team of the Week, more than the teams that beat them.

They, along with winners Eastern Ranges, Gippsland Power and Western Jets all had three, while other winners Dandenong Stingrays and Geelong Falcons had two each. Calder Cannons and Tasmania Devils – the two winning sides over Murray and Northern respectively – only had the one player, which was indicative of an all-round team performance rather than individual standouts.

This week’s captain is our Player of the Week, Dandenong Stingrays’ midfielder Jemma Reynolds. She impressed with 31 touches and was named in the centre, while her partner-in-crime Kayla Dalgleish slotted onto half-forward. The Stingrays ran over the top of the Sydney Swans Academy, though Swans defender Taya White made the side at full-back.

Eastern Ranges’ massive win over Bendigo Pioneers saw a trio of players make the side starting with captain Georgie Brisbane who was named at centre half-forward, while debutant Scout Semple kicked three goals and was named in the forward pocket, as Grace Belloni found her way into the team too.

Gippsland Power’s equally dominant win over Sandringham Dragons resulted in three representatives. Regular Team of the Week nominees, Ash Centra and Jasmine Sowden slotted in once again, while Abby Hobson also made the Round 8 side after three majors.

It was a family affair for the Knights as sisters Zoe and Phoebe Hargreaves joined each other in the Team of the Week, named in there along with marking forward Scarlett Johnson. Their opponent Tasmania Devils had just the one being talented bottom-ager Mischa Barwin.

Murray Bushrangers three players all came in the defensive half of the ground with top-agers Holly Egan and Madison Ibrahim named in the back six alongside 2008-born Vic Country representative Sophia Green. Calder Cannons had the one player make it in Camryn Bux.

Western Jets were the other team to record three players in Round 8, with usual Team of the Week representative Sierra Grieves back in again. This time she was joined by defender/ruck Alex McBride-Loane and three-goal hero Kiara Boyd.

Geelong Falcons’ Sara Howley and ruck Hayley Peck were easy locks for Round 8, while Isabella Davies on the opposition was the GWV Rebels’ sole representative. Rounding out the 24-player squad is Northern Territory Academy’s Tatyana Perry named at half-back, while Bendigo Pioneers and Sandringham Dragons were the only clubs without a representative this week.

The three emergencies chosen for the Round 8 team were Murray’s Rose Bell, Tasmania’s Harriet Bingley and Eastern’s Stasia Stevenson.

2024 TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 8

B: Holly Egan (Murray Bushrangers) – Taya White (Swans Academy) – Tatyana Perry (Northern Territory)
HB: Sophia Green (Murray Bushrangers) – Alex McBride-Loane (Western Jets) – Madison Ibrahim (Murray Bushrangers)
C: Mischa Barwin (Tasmania Devils) – Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays) (c) – Phoebe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
HF: Kayla Dalgleish (Dandenong Stingrays) – Georgie Brisbane (Eastern Ranges) – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
F: Scout Semple (Eastern Ranges) – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power) – Kiara Boyd (Western Jets)
R: Hayley Peck (Geelong Falcons) – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons) – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
INT: Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges) – Camryn Bux (Calder Cannons) – Isabella Davies (GWV Rebels) – Abby Hobson (Gippsland Power) – Scarlett Johnson (Northern Knights) – Jasmine Sowden (Gippsland Power)

EMG: Rose Bell (Murray Bushrangers) – Harriet Bingley (Tasmania Devils) – Stasia Stevenson (Eastern Ranges)