MURRAY Bushrangers’ Sophia Green became the first double bottom-ager to earn a Player of the Week nomination after an eye-catching performance during her side’s Round 9 loss to Northern Territory. Green has been building for a number of weeks in the Bushrangers side since coming in at Under 18s level, but the 2024 AFLW Under 16s Vic Country representative took her game to another level on the weekend.

Green amassed a whopping 36 disposals, took six marks, laid five tackles, and had six inside 50s and three rebound 50s during the tough defeat at the hands of the Northern Territory Academy. She was in the umpire’s good books however, earning seven frees and only giving one away earning the equivalent 146 AFL Fantasy points in the process.

From her five Coates Talent League Girls game thus far in season 2024, the 15-year-old has won 20 or more touches in four of them, with her last fortnight yielding results of 27 and now 36. She is averaging 23.8 disposals for the year, as well as 4.0 marks, 5.0 tackles, 2.8 inside 50s and 3.4 rebound 50s.

Green was not the only high production player in the game, with teammate Holly Egan (29 disposals, three tackles, three inside 50s and four rebound 50s) and opponent Kierra Zerafa (35 disposals, five tackles, five inside 50s and seven rebound 50s) both racking p the ball with ease.

Across the league, Oakleigh bottom-ager Chloe Bown (28 disposals, five tackles and five inside 50s) led the way for the Chargers, while Abbey Vicino (25 disposals, eight tackles and a goal) and Emma McDonald (16 disposals, six marks and 3.2) all impressive. Geelong Falcons’ Sara Howley was prolific one again as was fellow past Player of the Week nominee Ash Centra who kicked 1.5 from 36 touches in her side’s big win over Bendigo Pioneers.

Despite playing in a loss, GWV Rebels bottom-ager Jovie Skewes-Clinton (28 disposals, six marks, five tackles and seven rebound 50s) was busy in defence, while down on the Apple Isle, the likes of Mia Anderson and Priya Bowering shared the load in an even performance. Dandenong Stingrays’ Jemma Reynolds who won Player of the Week last round was productive yet again.

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)
Round 9 – Sophia Green (Murray Bushrangers)