RETURNING from a league-wide bye the weekend before, five matches took place across the Coates Talent League Girls in Round 10. Focusing on those in Victorian hubs or who participated in the trials in particular, we took note of some of the top performers. As always, our notes are the opinion of the individual writer.

Calder Cannons 5.10 (40) lost to Western Jets 7.3 (45)

CALDER CANNONS:

#1 Maddison Albrecht
Forward | 160cm | 07/09/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 8 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 behinds

The tenacious top-ager played arguably her best game upon return this season, looking dangerous in attack and applying pressure up the field. Adapting to the game as it went on, she really stepped up in the final term having a couple of nice plays including an intercept mark inside 50 – with a set shot that missed to the left – and a clean pickup and burst between two players. Her final execution is an area that is still a work of improvement, but her defensive pressure and work rate is very good.

#5 Jade McLay
Utility | 177cm | 01/02/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

McLay was in the wars once again, cracking in hard and putting her body on the line. Her day ended early after being crunched in a tackle and having to be helped off, but prior to that she was busy in each third of the ground. She pumped the ball long to clear the danger and worked hard to cover back in defence then get forward, working her way to a solid all-round performance.

#15 Shauna McElligott
Forward/Midfielder | 162cm | 05/03/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 1 inside 50, 1 goal, 2 behinds

The talented bottom-ager soccered a goal off the deck to get her side up and about early in the game, and finished with the 13 touches and a couple more behinds. At times she opted for the soccer a little too freely rather than picking it up, and hesitated when the groundball was there to be one. McElligott did get a chance to move into the middle to add to her versatility and adds a point of difference in there with her movement. One who will gradually round out the edges of her game with more experience.

#19 Kyla Forbes
Midfielder/Forward | 168cm | 07/09/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal

Working hard all over the ground, Forbes got on the scoreboard nice an early with a lever shot that sailed through the middle off her trusty left foot. She had a brain fade late in the first half when running through the mark which enabled Western’s first goal of the day, but kept cracking in and finding her fair share of the ball, while putting her body on the line.

WESTERN JETS:

#9 Sierra Grieves
Midfielder | 163cm | 18/05/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

While the AFLW Academy MVP winner’s numbers were low comparatively for her, she still made her impact felt while in the middle. Her clearance work in particular during the middle of the game started to turn the momentum in the Jets’ favour, and she moved forward in the last quarter. There, she looked dangerous and ended up kicking the winning goal with a clever snap over her head.

#30 Alex McBride-Loane
Defender/Ruck | 173cm | 03/04/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 13 hitouts, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

The ultimate utility, McBride-Loane played in her regular key defensive post and rolled into the ruck for support, but kicked a goal while in the position thanks to a 50m penalty that brought the Jets tall within range. McBride-Loane found plenty of the ball, competed well in the air, and though at times the composure could be improved, the overall performance was very impressive, particularly as the game went on.

#36 Olivia Castello
Midfielder | 157cm | 16/06/2006

Stats: 21 disposals, 6 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Cracking in through the midfield, the small onballer showed fantastic defensive pressure and often extracted the ball from congestion out to teammates around the stoppages. Castello’s defensive running was a feature of her game getting back to aid her teammates, while continually getting her hands on the ball and winning crucial one-on-one contests against bigger opponents.

Northern Knights 5.8 (38) lost to Oakleigh Chargers 7.8 (50)

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

#3 Marlo Graham
Midfielder | 163cm | 15/11/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 6 marks, 3 tackles, 5 inside 50s

She might not be tall or strong, but the lightly framed Graham has some outstanding footballing traits. She rarely wastes a touch and is clean at ground level, hitting targets going forward and lowers the eyes well. She is not necessarily a booming kick, but her run and carry allows her to win a lot of metres gained and once she gets going she is great at evading would-be tacklers and aiding in applying scoreboard pressure.

#5 Zoe Hargreaves
Midfielder | 172cm | 03/06/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 hitout, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Hargreaves is that nice balance of power and class, and while there are areas of her game she can still tidy up – such as her kicking under pressure and avoiding blazing away at times – when she has free air, she can do some eye-catching things. She kicked a terrific goal on the run showing off her classy finishing, but also crashes marking contest and produced a run-down tackle in the game too, so can get her hands dirty. Stands up when she needs to and is more than capable overhead as well.

#9 Kira Lemire
Forward | 167cm | 14/09/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 3 goals

Speaking of capable overhead, Lemire and Scarlett Johnson make life difficult for opposition defenders. Lemire has an old school style of leading, marking and nailing set shots, with all three of her goals coming from the that method. She had a couple of other chances she could not quite convert but can hit targets by foot when going inside 50 too and st up teammates such as to Johnson early in the match.

#12 Tahlia Plunkett
Forward | 166cm | 24/11/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 1 behind

Plunkett is a player with a lot of workable qualities and she spent time on Tallariti holding her own and even winning a couple of one-on-one contests which is incredibly difficult to do. Her final execution by foot is the main question mark on her game, but her defensive pressure, athletic traits and work rate are all quite high.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

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

Stats: 28 disposals, 3 marks, 17 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

It was another big game from the Under 21 All-Stars MVP who not necessarily brought her own ball, but made sure no one else could escape with it. Laying a mammoth 17 tackles in the match, Poustie works her opponents into the ground with her elite running capacity and can hurt them the other way too. She is primarily a defensive star, but her offensive game is just as damaging, and she has quickly become one of the strongest players outside the AFLW Academy.

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 8 rebound 50s

The skipper found plenty of the ball and was forced to play a little deeper at times given the Chargers were challenged more than usual. Her aerial prowess was somewhat nullified by both Plunkett and the Knights’ style, but she still worked up the ground and back into defence to play a key role in saving a number of opposition forward forays. As reliable as they come and leads by example.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 3 goals

It was a different sort of game for Vicino in her second Talent League match back from a shoulder injury, playing through midfield then rolling forward and kicking three goals. Not known for her scoreboard impact – having kicked four goals in 28 games leading into the match – Vicino had a day out, with her best being her second one where she shrugged off a would-be tackler, burst forward and slotted the goal on the run. All three came from general play showing an extra touch of class around the big sticks.

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

Stats: 31 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Mahony had another big production game as she has shown all season, though she was less efficient that she has been this season. While some of her disposals did end up turning over, Mahony still had a big influence on the match, setting up goal scoring opportunities and running hard forward. She is a natural two-way runner with a high defensive prowess which makes her valuable in transition.

#18 Bailee Martin
Forward | 174cm | 03/09/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 1 inside 50, 1 goal, 4 behinds

A goal with the last kick of the game after the final siren ensured the dangerous Martin got on the baord after several near misses. The 2008-born talent had quite a few looks at the goals, but a lot were either under pressure or rushed when she had more time, but the last set shot never looked like missing from 20m out after a strong mark. She finished with one goal from five scoring shots, but had good hands and nice forward craft.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 2 hitouts, 3 inside 50s,1 goal

The potential top 10 pick might have only kicked the one goal – from a close range set shot – but she always has an impact on the game. Leading out and capable of being a distributor that is normally reserved for smaller players, McDonald is a lovely field kick when she can wind up, and weights them well looking for holes in attack for teammates to lead into.

Eastern Ranges 14.14 (98) defeated Sandringham Dragons 1.2 (8)

EASTERN RANGES:

#6 Tayla McMillan
Midfielder | 161cm | 25/05/2007

Stats: 33 disposals, 2 marks, 9 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 behind

McMillan was her classy self all game with her hands at ground level sensational in dewy conditions. She constantly burst from stoppage, was strong and capable to fishing off by hand to a teammate and making good decisions by both hand and foot. In one instance she set up a goal last in the third term but winning a hardball as an opponent was closing in, got the handball away then bounced up and kicked into the corridor to open up the play. A standout in the win.

#10 Jordyn Allen
Defender/Midfielder | 166cm | 12/11/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 1 behind

Providing some important run through the middle, Allen teamed up well with McMillan on the inside, but also found space and was particularly strong when utilised as a second possession winner. Looking to run past teammates for the handball receive and kick inside 50, she was prolific in her transition and while she could have been a little cleaner at ground level early in the match, did adapt the conditions well.

#11 Grace Belloni
Midfielder | 174cm | 09/09/2006

Stats: 25 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 9 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

It was another strong performance from the inside midfielder who won the ball consistently around the stoppage. She set ups number of scoring chances and her centre clearance work in particular was outstanding in helping her side get on top of the Dragons. Her strength to break through tackles was on display in the third term, shrugging off two would-be tacklers at half-forward, but was just mowed down by the third for holding the ball,. Had a couple of ‘almost goals at times, before actually kicking a couple of goals in the last quarter.

#12 Georgia Knight
Forward | 164cm | 11/10/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 4 goals, 2 behinds

It was a dominant performance from Knight who kicked four goals in 27 minutes and also had another couple of chances. She lit the spark that set the game ablaze for the Ranges, proving too strong and smart inside 50 for no less than three opponents. The Dragons defence had no answers for her as she either clunked contested marks or lead out well, anticipating the ball drop then converting the set shot in a dazzling performance up forward.

#13 Georgie Brisbane
Forward | 175cm | 13/12/2006

Stats: 8 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 goals

Though the Eastern skipper’s numbers are not huge, her work inside 50 is what caught the eye. After indifferent form to start the season, Brisbane has played several really impressive games of late and is back to the form that she showed as a bottom-ager. Strong in one-on-one contests and mobile on the lead, she was able to to convert both of her goals following contested marking situations. As a key forward she is providing effort and competing, and it is no surprise that the Ranges have improved significantly with Brisbane providing another target inside 50.

#24 Evie Parker
Wing | 179cm | 06/07/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Covered an enormous amount of ground throughout the match and showed good vision in transition to opt for the corridor kick when required. She generally used it well and did not blaze away, having the extra time to assess her options and hit targets, as she did as she pleased on the wing, often mopping up then running hard forward.

#55 Emily Rankin
Forward | 165cm | 11/05/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 5 inside 50s

It was a breakout game for the Under 16s gun who kicked two goals from 20 touches and looked lively throughout the match. Her first major came via a snap from a pack in the second term, then worked hard to get on the end of one in the third quarter to produce a classy finish. Though her offensive game was fantastic, her defensive game also caught the eye, laying six tackles including a few close to goal to lock it inside 50.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#21 Daisy Flockart
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 23/02/2006

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

It was a tough day for the Dragons midfielders, but Flockart tried hard all day. She did not have the space she would love, but instead was forced to quickly dish off and try and get the ball moving. She picked up the slack on-ball in the absence of Sophie McKay and also worked back into defence to provide support.

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

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

Another Dragon who could hold her head high, the co-captain covered plenty of ground across the course of the game. Her kicking was efficient and she had plenty of experience getting back mopping up, looking to intercept. Though right-side dominant – where a couple of times it would have been easier to put it on the left boot – Howden was her side’s best in the loss.

Tasmania Devils 7.4 (46) defeated Murray Bushrangers 3.8 (26)

TASMANIA DEVILS:

#4 Ava Read
Forward | 176cm | 21/06/2006

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 3 goals, 1 behind

Leading the Talent League goalkicking as it stands, Read finished off with three more goals to take her tally to 18 for the season. Her light build does not stop her clunking contested marks and launching goals from 45m as she did for two of her three goals. Whenever she is anywhere inside the 50, Read has some outstanding forward traits, and she pushed a little higher at times to be a distributor as well, finishing off with a triple treat.

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

Stats: 32 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 14 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The standout player of the weekend as per our Player of the Round, Bowering was strong and contested on the inside, and pumped the ball forward at all costs to help her side out. Bowering’s contest-to-contest work assists in her continually winning the ball from stoppages and moving it in transition, while also competing with anyone in aerial contests. A booming kick and capable of obtaining the ball in a multitude of ways, Bowering had a field day against the Bushrangers.

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

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks, 1 tackle, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

Bingley spent the majority of her time forward and it paid off with a couple of goals for her troubles, with one early in the second and one in the fourth term, as well as a couple of other chances that just went begging. She is strong on the lead, good one-on-one and similar to Bowering has a booming kick, while having the potential to roll into defence of through the midfield.

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

Stats: 24 disposals, 6 marks, 10 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Williams started on-ball at the first centre bounce and naturally drifts back given her experience as a rebounding defender. Naturally an aerial player who has fantastic power and strength, Williams still provided the transitional running that she always has, but laid 10 tackles in the process and was not afraid to get her hands dirty. She battled hard in the air and at ground level, finishing as one of the best players on the ground and producing one of her better all-round performances.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS:

#3 Rain Dodd
Wing | 165cm | 13/01/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

The bottom-ager started on a wing and ran hard throughout the course of the day, often clearing the ball from danger and getting it down the ground. She did make some mistakes when under pressure, but she also thwarted some opposition forward forays, while doing the team things such as a handball followed up by a shepherd to buy her teammate time.

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

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Almost exclusively playing in defence after more of a rotational gig of late, Egan provided plenty of drive from the back 50 down the ground and did hold a high line when her side was in the forward half. She mopped up in defence time and time again, and though she tends to bomb it on the boot, reads the play well and can win the ball back for her side and look to switch when possible.

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

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 marks, 10 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The double bottom-ager has had quite the start to her Talent League career, amassing another 24 disposals and laying 10 tackles in the loss. She was aided by the return of Hall, as the pair went about racking up the ball with ease. The main knock on Green is sometimes she can do too much, getting caught holding the ball or incorrect disposal four times in the match, which is an element to her game she will learn over time as she adjusts to the opposition. Overall can use both sides of her body and is strong around the clearances or on the outside.

#14 Ellie Hall
Midfielder/Defender | 174cm | 07/07/2006

Stats: 31 disposals, 7 marks, 9 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

An incredible performance from Hall in her first game back in Bushies colours after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Though she played with the Giants Academy earlier this year, Hall rejoined the Bushrangers and added another element to the side, with her frame and smarts allowing her to rack up the ball and play between midfield and defence. Her performance was the subject of our Player Focus. Click the link at the top of the page to read about her game in detail.

#15 Nikhita Spiteri
Forward | 169cm | 20/07/2007

Stats: 25 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

It was a perfomrance that has been building of late, with Spiteri picking up a career-high 25 disposals for the Bushrangers, She is very clean at ground level with some great smarts, and though she can rush the execution at times, has the nice fast first few steps that allow her to create separation on her opponent and put the ball forward to advantage her team.

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

Stats: 24 disposals, 7 marks, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 10 rebound 50s, 3 behinds

Bell continued her great form since coming into the Bushrangers program with a third straight 20-plus disposal effort, and season-highs in disposals, rebound 50s and marks (equal). She reads the ball well coming into defence, positions herself accordingly and kicks long and clear, with her technique and power very good. Given she has only turned 16 a few months back, there is plenty of development left for Bell and will be exciting to watch. She should have rewarded herself with a few goals, but ended up with just the three behinds when thrown forward in the third term.

GWV Rebels 5.3 (33) defeated Bendigo Pioneers 2.6 (18)

GWV REBELS:

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Davies is a smart little player who is clean by hand and effective by foot with the capacity to execute little daggers on those 45-degree angles. She opens up the game with her vision, and while she can get outbodied at times – she had the tough gig on Painter at different points – she always has a crack and does not take a backwards step. Davies is often seen directing her teammates and providing support as well.

#15 Millie Lang
Defender | 177cm | 06/11/2006

Stats: 28 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 9 rebound 50s

Lang started on-ball then rotated between midfield and defence, often saving the day with her intercept marking or mopping up in the back 50. She continued to thump the ball as far as she could from defence to buy her side time to set up, and back her teammates to run onto it. With time and space she can hit targets over all distances, and will put her body on the line both in aerial contests and at ground levels, filling a void where required.

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

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

The athletic tall again spent more time up the field and even in defence rather than just being locked inside 50. Her field kicking is a treat to watch, with one delivery inside the forward 50 perfectly weighted to a leading target in the pocket which resulted in a goal. Mahony might not have kicked any goals herself, but her released further afield makes her team better.

#20 Ruby Thomas
Midfielder/Forward | 160cm | 02/05/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 goals

A small but classy player who kicked a couple of goals from opportunities, Thomas kicked her first after winning a free kick for a late push in the second term, before reading the work off hands early in the third and slotting the goal on the run. She worked up the ground to win it on the defensive side of the wing and was effective with her work in transition as well. Thomas’ defensive prowess highlighted by her tackling caught the eye.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 1 inside 50, 8 rebound 50s

The defender is no stranger to racking up big numbers, with the bottom-ager often taking kickouts or being the one saving the day on the last line. However on this occasion, Conroy has some highlight-worthy players, taking a strong intercept mark deep in defence early in the second term, and then later in the fourth quarter won a huge one-on-three groundball by getting to it first, copping the contact and drawing multiple opponents to handball cleanly to a free teammate.

BENDIGO PIONEERS:

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

Stats: 33 disposals, 4 marks, 10 tackles, 1 hitout, 9 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 2 behinds

In a season where Painter has had plenty of starring performances, the effort on the weekend might have been her best. She racked up the ball which came as no surprise, but her work to cover the ground and impact in all thirds was terrific. One strength of Painter’s is summing up what it takes to kick a goal and knowing her limitations. When marking outside her range, she will look for the shorter pass then nail it and push immediately forward to be an option for her teammate. Though she missed a couple of chances she would usually gobble up, she did convert one early in the fourth term to keep her team up and about, which ended up being the last of the majors for the day. After kicking that goal she went into the middle and won the very next centre clearance.

#11 Lavinia Cox
Midfielder | 172cm | 31/01/2006

Stats: 25 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 7 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Cox was earmarked as one to watch this season at the Preseason Testing Day, and she has gradually been building and getting more involved. On the weekend she had her most productive game yet with a season-high 25 touches – seven more than the week before which was her best – and importantly laying seven tackles. Cox is still learning the fundamentals when it comes to execution, but she is getting into more ball-winning spots and impressing around the stoppages.

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 10 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

The classy defender keeps having moments that catch the eye, and she did so again on the weekend. An incredible goal-saving run-down tackle to force a behind in the first term was a huge moment for Douglas, while she also looked composed with ball-in-hand in traffic. In the fourth term she delivered a brilliant pass to the pocket for a shot, with her skills and vision right up there with any of her peers. Laying 10 tackles on the day indicated she was just as determined defensively.