IN the final weekend before a league-wide bye, 10 teams played out Round 9 of the Coates Talent League Girls. We took note of some of the players who caught the eye across the five games, with notes the opinion of the individual author.

GWV Rebels 1.4 (10) lost to Dandenong Stingrays 8.6 (54)

GWV REBELS:

#1 Isabella Davies
Defender/Midfielder | 160cm | 29/10/2006

Stats: 20 disposals,2 marks, 9 tackles, 7 rebound 50s

The hard-running top-ager was busy across the ground but did her best work in defence, mopping up time and time again. Her efficiency was a little down on the weekend with a couple of smothered kicks under pressure, but her own defensive pressure was terrific and she kept working through the four quarters.

#4 Elise Cook
Midfielder | 170cm | 28/01/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Pieced together another strong performance and while she was often under pressure, managed to get the ball free down the field. She copped a knock late in the game and had to be helped off, but prior to that she tackled hard at the coalface and spread to the outside to win the ball. Always put her body on the line and was clean at ground level.

#9 Jovie Skewes-Clinton
Defender | 174cm | 15/11/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 1 inside 50, 7 rebound 50s

Brought her own ball to the game and found plenty of it in the back 50, either taking kickouts or being the next option from the kickout. She not only won the cheaper touches but did intercept on a number of occasions and drive it forward, and her short kicking in particular was precise in defence. She looked to pick the safe option most of the time, but when the switch was on, her head was on a swivel.

#17 Claire Mahony
Utility | 181cm | 21/06/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 9 marks, 2 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Best on ground despite not finding as much of it as others, and it was largely because she was released to play further afield, not just deep inside 50. She played off a wing and even in defence, clunking some critical intercept marks and saving a couple of goals. She is such a lovely, penetrating field kick and is the type of player who, if she does not mark it, will bring it to ground. Kicked

#36 Elsie Conroy
Defender | 172cm | 19/08/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 7 marks, 2 tackles, 1 hitout, 7 rebound 50s

Conroy has been a rock in defence, and while she largely wins her touches deep in defence, she took a number of strong intercept marks including a great one-handed one early in the match. With time to make decisions she used it well, and when under pressure was able to clear the ball long down the ground to safety.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS:

#3 Jemma Reynolds
Midfielder/Forward | 163cm | 29/04/2006

Stats: 22 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Though not as huge of a performance as her past few weeks, Reynolds still played a key role through the midfield. She is so clean at ground level, deceptively strong on the inside and uses the ball well, particularly over short-to-medium distances. Her form this year has been as good as anyone else in the Talent League.

#6 Zoe Besanko
Utility | 178cm | 25/05/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 22 hitouts, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal

A promising performance from the AFLW Academy member who seemed to build on her previous week to be a presence in attack and work hard around the ground. Her one set shot was straight through the middle, while she also burst out of the middle with a couple of clearances playing both ruck and on-ball. Her kicking can still be hit and miss at times, but she was fantastic defensively, and her athleticism was great.

#13 Nikita Harris
Midfielder | 162cm | 01/01/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 22 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

A tackling machine who just does not let up throughout the match, Harris finished with 22 tackles from 18 touches and was incredibly fierce at the coalface. A predominant handballer with the role she plays, Harris is efficient at extracting to her teammates and able to dish off quickly when under pressure.

#17 Evelyn Connolly
Forward | 169cm | 26/05/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals

In her best game for the season, Connolly not only kicked two majors but also looked dangerous each time the ball went near her. A crafty forward, her first goal was an eye-catching snap off a clean pickup, while her second also came on the move with a nice kick right to let to bend inside the post from 25m out. She set up two more goals coming in the final term, and even intercepted a couple of attempted rebound 50s at half-forward keeping the pressure on.

#43 Lillian Snow
Midfielder | 169cm | 10/07/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 2 marks, 13 tackles, 5 inside 50s

In her second game, Snow remained a strong inside midfielder and worked hard contest-to-contest. She is able to cleanly take it at ground level, and is quick to dispose of it, playing a similar role to Harris. With her extra height, Snow uses her strong framer to advantage and can win clearances by foot as well, also working outside to find the ball and drive it in transition.

Oakleigh Chargers 8.6 (54) defeated Geelong Falcons 3.6 (24)

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#2 Sarah Poustie
Midfielder | 170cm | 05/01/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 marks, 12 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Returning from a stint with Collingwood’s VFLW program, Poustie picked up where she left off. While slightly lower in terms of her ball-winning numbers, her defensive pressure was outstanding. She is quick to dispose of it by hand and makes good decisions, with her short-to-medium kicking neat. Poustie set up a goal to McDonald in the third term and played her role through four quarters.

#3 Sienna Tallariti
Defender | 168cm | 10/07/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 marks, 12 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The skipper was able to get on the front foot and play aggressive off half-back, mopping up and holding a high line to pump the ball inside 50 on multiple occasions. She took a few intercept marks and locked the ball inside the defensive 50, knowing when to peel off, and when to drop back. She does not do too much wrong, and even found herself having a shot from inside 50 late in the third term but did not register a score.

#5 Abbey Vicino
Midfielder | 157cm | 13/02/2006

Stats: 25 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

After a serious shoulder injury curtailed the start of her year, the high volume inside midfielder returned to the Chargers lineup – albeit via Collingwood VFLW – to pick up where she left off. Her nous to get into ball-winning positions is undoubted, and while her execution by foot can improve, her inside craft, particularly by hand, is very good. Her defensive work is great, and she kicked a goal after taking an intercept mark off an errant kickout.

#6 Maggie Mahony
Midfielder | 161cm | 19/10/2006

Stats: 22 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 behind

Another midfielder who just played her role, and was tightly guarded at stoppages more than usual given her purple patch form of late. She still used her strength to win the contested ball, and got forward to influence the scoreboard, setting up a major to McDonald with a scrappy kick while under pressure. Clean at ground level and able to use either side of her body, Mahony is having a great 2024 season.

#9 Chloe Bown
Forward/Midfielder | 174cm | 20/12/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 behind

Developing more midfield minutes and playing off a high half-forward role at times, Bown is thriving in her bottom-age season. Only 12 days off being eligible for the Under 16s, Bown is a kick-first player who can clear longer distances. At times she can rush her disposal going forward, but is quick by hand and attacks it hard, always looking to drive the ball inside 50.

#14 Chloe Thorn
Defender | 166cm | 07/09/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 tackles, 8 rebound 50s

Working well out of the back 50, Thorn has been in great form of late, allowing Tallariti to even play further afield. She did not take a mark this week, but was stationed deep in defence mopping up, and looked to be the first option kicking out of defence to teammates further afield. Generally weighting the all well by foot, she made good decision and was very good with her bodywork one-on-one to win a critical contest early in the fourth.

#19 Charlotte Brewer
Defender | 165cm | 11/09/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s

A balanced defender who can play defensively or offensively, Brewer was able to again play her role while having some offensive output higher up the ground. She cleared out of the back 50 on a number of occasions, and stood up in a tackle to handball away when in trouble at half-back, then got her own revenge with a terrific run-down tackle in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.

#25 Emma McDonald
Forward | 179cm | 18/04/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 marks, 3 tackles, 1 hitout, 2 inside 50, 3 goals, 2 behinds

An outstanding game from the key forward who booted 3.2 and looked likely to have a mammoth game in front of goal. Her set shot work is consistent, where even when she misses, they look straight and rarely deviate. Her hands out in front are what sets her apart, and she looks to crash packs when she needs to. Importantly though, McDonald is competitive at ground level and kicked two of her goals from general play working back to get goal side while being under pressure.

GEELONG FALCONS:

#7 Sara Howley
Midfielder/Forward | 173cm | 29/01/2006

Stats: 27 disposals, 7 marks, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

It was a great turning point for Howley who stood up in the face of adversity having had tough games in the past when the opposition midfield had got on top. Instead after her season-best game last week, Howley backed it up with another strong outing finding the ball all over the ground. Her work rate looked good and though at one stage she got mowed down without the awareness of someone coming off the bench, in general her intent was great and she consistently found space and kicked the ball forward.

#24 Georgia Tyrrell
Midfielder/Forward | 168cm | 04/08/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 15 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Had a great tussle with Mahony at different points, and rotated forward, showing off her powerful kicking action. She is strong on the inside both when she has the ball and when she doe not, and just cracks in to give 100 per cent effort. Though a lot of her work is done on the inside, she does have an outside game, and got back to aid the defence on a number of occasions.

#38 Stella Huxtable
Midfield/Forward | 170cm | 22/12/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 mark, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s

Rotated well with Tyrrell at times, Huxtable is a neat left-footer who does well to extract the ball and use her height to get her arms free in close. She laid some big tackles and thumped the ball forward, often going for distance to put pressure on the defence. Held her own against a strong Chargers midfield.

Bendigo Pioneers 2.5 (17) lost to Gippsland Power 11.16 (82)

BENDIGO PIONEERS:

#5 Lucia Painter
Midfielder/Forward | 174cm | 23/02/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Went head-to-head against Centra for the most part when both crossed paths in the midfield, as two of the best Victorian prospects made for a tantalising matchup. Though Centra took the chocolates, Painter had some early wins with a couple of strong tackles, and did manage to free herself up to have her own impact going forward. Her two-way running looked impressive, and though she only had the one behind and one other shot that just fell short, she was lively in transition.

#13 Jemmika Douglas
Defender/Midfielder | 166cm | 20/02/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 7 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

It was a mixed day for Douglas who worked hard charging off half-back and trying to get some offensive flow for the Pioneers with the game going against them. Usually a terrific user of the ball, Douglas tended to go more for distance in the game and thus resulted in more turnovers. Still, she kept working until the final siren and gave as good as she got, winning the ball in defence and through midfield.

GIPPSLAND POWER:

#3 Zali Gallagher
Wing/Midfielder | 162cm | 08/07/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 4 inside 50s

Though traditionally known as a winger, the Power skipper earned some on-ball minutes as Gippsland got on top and at one stage had both Sowden and Centra inside 50. She held her own and while the added pressure did resort in some rushed kicks forward, she still covered the ground incredibly well and applied great defensive pressure both on the inside and outside of the contest.

#15 Jasmine Sowden
Forward/Midfielder | 164cm | 17/12/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 13 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 goal

Spent more time forward than in the midfield this week which resulted in lower numbers across the board, but she kicked a goal late in the game from a classy snap, and had another great moment when she ran-down Douglas in the attacking 50. Held her own against Painter on a couple of occasions and moved well through traffic using both sides of her body.

#16 Ash Centra
Midfielder/Forward | 174cm | 02/06/2006

Stats: 36 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 2 hitouts, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 5 behinds

Centra was clearly best afield yet again, and won the ball all over the ground, spending a lot of time forward and still racking up 36 disposals in the process. She shrugged off Painter on a few occasions before the Pios talent finally brought her down and got holding the ball, but Centra was a hard player to wrap up with her ability to swivel and change direction. Her goalkicking yips are her major improvement, kicking five straight behinds – from a mix of set shots and on the run – before nailing her major after the final siren with a close range set shot on an angle.

#19 Ella Stoddart
Defender/Midfielder | 173cm | 30/01/2007

Stats: 27 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

The 2023 Vic Country Under 16s MVP enjoys getting on the front foot and attacking, with her first role being deep in defence and kicking out, before freeing up to run and carry down the wing as the game progresses. She has a booming left foot and backs herself to take grass, and while her long kicking can be hit and miss at times, she is still a critical player for Gippsland with her reading of the play and strength around the ground.

#32 Abby Hobson
Forward | 174cm | 11/09/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 2 inside 50, 3 goals

While her three goals came with a low degree of difficulty – all from fairly close range – she still had to kick them, and all were on the move which meant she had to steady. Not only did she hit the scoreboard herself, but she set up others including the final goal to Centra, and one a few minutes earlier to Chelsea Sutton. Her forward craft and strength is really impressive for a bottom-ager.

Tasmania Devils 6.8 (44) defeated Sandringham Dragons 2.1 (13)

By: Liam Badkin

TASMANIA DEVILS:

#9 Mia Anderson
Midfielder | 165cm | 14/02/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 behinds

Anderson had her most productive game of the season against Sandringham, thriving around the contest and giving the Devils plenty of drive forward. She had the first clearance of the game in a reflection of just how much she would impact the match. Looking to get the ball onto her boot at whatever cost, she was the starring presence for Tasmania from contest to contest, and pushed off her opponent to pounce on the loose ball. Anderson was the game’s leading disposal-winner, and stood tall in the midfield battle.

#13 Lucy Thompson
Forward/Midfielder | 170cm | 14/06/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 15 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal, 2 behinds

Provided a contest up forward whenever the ball was in Tasmania’s attacking 50 (which was a lot to start the match). Thompson slotted the second goal of the game with a clever snap through a tackle to get the Devils off to the perfect start. She looked dangerous for all four quarters, and could have had a day out had her remaining shots found the goals, but inaccuracy prevented this. Thompson pushed up to the ball at stoppages and and was not afraid of contact as she wrapped up the opposition better than anyone in another solid day at the office.

#15 Priya Bowering
Midfielder | 167cm | 02/01/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 tackles, 6 inside 50s

It was another impressive game from Bowering, who ran hard to find space and use her penetrating boot to drive the ball forward for Tasmania. Often trailing off the back of contests to get the ball in space, the midfielder was able to find plenty of the footy and pumped the ball inside 50 as the Devils locked the ball in their half of the ground for much of the contest. She tried to get on the end of a major after Piper Humphries marked the ball inside 50 and dished off the hands, but the kick was smothered. Regardless, it was a damaging performance from Bowering.

#26 Harriet Bingley
Forward | 172cm | 23/03/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals

Started the game in perfect fashion, kicking a goal inside the first minute of the game. That came via a clever snap out of the stoppage despite there being of plenty of defenders nearby, showing her forward craft. She booted her second major later in the term, this time gathering the ball on the run, slicing back through traffic and snapping around her body in classy fashion. She could have booted a third in the second term, but passed off to a teammate in selfless fashion. Bingley finished the game with two majors from 19 disposals in an excellent showing.

#29 Mackenzie Williams
Midfielder/Defender | 171cm | 26/06/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

A tough in and under performance from Williams saw her find her fair share of footy in the win over the Dragons. Attacking each contest with ferocity and intent, she won the ball at the coalface and dished off to teammates that were running past. It was a very handball-heavy performance, with just three kicks coming from her 15 disposals, but she won some important contests and did not blaze away, instead bracing for contact and finding an open Devils teammate outside the contest.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#46 Scout Howden
Wing | 174cm | 17/02/2006

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50s

Donning the long sleeves, Howden worked hard to get into space and ran hard defensively to help out with the ball in Sandringham’s back 50 for much of the match. She injected herself into the contest wherever possible, and threw caution to the wind with some physical efforts that slowed down Tasmania’s push forward at times. Her tireless workrate resulted in her finding more of the footy than any other Sandringham player, and clearing the ball from defensive 50 several times, pushing hard into the backline and receiving the hands from her teammates that were under the pump.

#51 Jacinta Boyd
Defender | 173cm | 04/03/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 4 rebound 50s.

Matched up on some tough opponents over the course of the match, and held her own in most of the one on ones she faced. Boyd tried to get front position at all times and intercepted a few inside 50s with her clever reading of the play. Although the Dragons’ backline was under the pump, Boyd was always looking to create with ball in hand, looking to switch the play and relieve some of the pressure. Her excellent defensive traits were certainly on display for Sandringham, and she can hold her head high despite the loss.

Murray Bushrangers 0.6 (6) lost to Northern Territory Academy 3.2 (20)

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS:

#7 Majella Day
Forward | 175cm | 11/03/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 2 hitouts, 3 inside 50s, 3 behinds

It was a Day of ‘almosts’ for Majella who had her chances by finished with the three behinds, struggling in the Craigieburn wind. While in past weeks she has spent her time largely deep forward, Day pushed up the ground on a number of occasions to provide a target and put the ball inside 50. A little rushed at times and did get pinged trying to take on two opponents, the athletic tall has that X-Factor when she can get up and about.

#9 Holly Egan
Defender | 176cm | 01/07/2006

Stats: 29 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 4 hitouts, 3 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Egan does a bit of everything across the ground and finds the ball in all thirds, working hard in defence, running through midfield, taking ruck stoppages and looking for targets inside 50. Her kicking is an area of improvement, but she was clean at ground level consistently and her ability to dish off quickly was a highlight. She got involved in everything in the first term, and when she is up and about, the Bushrangers are better for it.

#10 Sophia Green
Defender/Midfielder | 171cm | 22/11/2008

Stats: 36 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

An incredible performance from the double bottom-ager who has a lot of likeable traits to her game. She is able to play inside, outside and at either end because she moves well and can clunk marks consistently while being a first or second possession winner. Often Green earned a lot of touches via one-two possessions but it was her hard running and reading of the play that allowed her to get into great positions and pump the ball inside 50.

>> SOPHIA GREEN PLAYER OF THE WEEK

#24 Rose Bell
Defender/Forward | 170cm | 18/03/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 7 marks, 5 tackles, 1 inside 50, 7 rebounds

Bell spent the majority of the match in defence and only went forward late where she had a couple of chances on goal that just missed. She is very strong one-on-one and took some fantastic marks -both contested and uncontested – and her bodywork along with her positioning is far advanced to many other Under 16 talents. She cleared the ball out of defence time and time again and if given any time and space, can hit pinpoint passes on those 45-degree angles.

#48 Constance Dodd
Defender | 166cm | 01/03/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50, 4 rebound 50s

The third Dodd sister to come through the ranks, she is yet another 2008-born Bushranger who has caught the eye. She backs herself with ball-in-hand, and often was deep in defence mopping up. She saved a goal with a mark on the last line and dished off neatly, and though at times found herself under pressure which resulted in turnovers, Dodd was able to still provide that transitional play.

NORTHERN TERRITORY ACADEMY:

#3 Marika Carlton
Midfielder | 159cm | 03/08/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

There is not much of Carlton, but the bottom-ager packs a punch, not afraid to put her body on the line. Her clean hands at ground level really standout, and while she is not a booming kick, still makes good decisions and puts it forward of centre. A raw prospect who will become better with these experiences.

#12 Danika McDonald
Defender | 174cm | 06/06/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 6 rebound 50s

A rock in defence, McDonald was fantastic in bringing the ball to ground and clearing it, or taking the odd kickout and putting it to safety. She always competed both in the air and at ground level, and while she could have been cleaner at times, was still one o the better Territory players.

#13 Tatyana Perry
Defender | 171cm | 28/02/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 mark, 8 tackles,1 hitout, 3 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

Perry has had bigger games, but in the bookend quarters of the match she managed to influence the contest. She provided composure in defence, and as the game wore on used the ball consistently well after a rare turnover or two early int he match. Her clean hands at ground level are always sublime, and the AFLW Academy member both recorded a run-down tackle and marking in defence using great bodywork one-on-one.

#35 Kierra Zerafa
Midfielder/Defender | 166cm | 10/11/2005

Stats: 35 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 7 rebound 50s

There are few players with the length of kick that Zerafa possesses with the utility able to clear 50m with ease off her powerful left boot. She had the ball on a string and often dropped behind play to intercept and drive forward, with even fewer players able to bring her to ground. Using her strong frame, she consistently shrugged off would-be tacklers and handballed clear. Her kicking is the main area of improvement in the sense that her power is incredible, but accuracy is the next step.