IN what was not the most ideal conditions, all six Coates Talent League Girls matches took place, including one – Geelong Falcons and Tasmania Devils – that was reduced to 15-minute flat quarters. We were on-hand to note down some of the best performers across the weekend taking into account Victorian representation, with all notes the opinion of the individual author.

Northern Knights 7.12 (54) defeated Bendigo Pioneers 0.2 (2)

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

#1 Olivia Gorman
Midfielder | 166cm | 25/10/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The top ball-winner on the day, Gorman was a consistent player across four quarters, winning it in close and spreading to the outside where she was able to accumulate some more. Her composure under pressure can still develop further, but it was hard to knock her contest-to-contest work with her defensive pressure and first hands to ability very good.

#4 Holly Ridewood
Defender | 173cm | 07/12/2006

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 9 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

The skipper had a solid start but finished the game in a blaze of glory with a massive second half that saw her push hard off half-back to create some run and carry. She did well defensive, laying a great run-down tackle early in the second term, and was neat with her short kicking across the ground. She took a clever juggling mark at half-back late in the match and had an all-round impressive game once again playing in a developing rebounder role.

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

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 7 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The Vic Metro talent keeps on producing and had another strong game as that distributor from midfield into attack. She found her fair share of the ball but was very damaging with her ability to put it inside 50 and set up scoring chances. In tough conditions she slogged it out, showed nice strength in shrugging off would-be tacklers, giving as good as she got and was clever with positioning her kicks even if they were not completely pinpoint.

#7 Scarlett Johnson
Forward| 174cm | 26/11/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 hitouts, 1 goal, 4 behinds

The bottom-age marking talent might have dropped a couple of chances with the slippery ball, but her ground level work more than made up for it. She was wayward on goal early, but converted one on the move cleverly. Not only did she kick one herself, but set another up to Tahlia Plunkett in the first term with a nice release handball, and looked ever-dangerous in attack. Has spent time on the wing in recent weeks as well.

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal, 2 behinds

Another lively performance from the forward who provided a marking target inside 50. Similar to Johnson, she had a couple of misses including a bad one running in from 15m out, but nailed a set shot early in the third term, before setting up a goal to Katelyn Busuttil in the final minute of the match. Has some eye-catching traits and has begun finding more consistency of late, too.

#48 Maddison Meagher
Wing | 162cm | 02/08/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 tackle, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

An explosive player who has moved further afield from defence to the wing, rotating with Ridewood and using her speed across the ground to create scores in transition. A damaging kick even at speed, Meagher has some terrific traits that were on show at the Under 16 Championships, and she has been able to adapt them to the level. Is a get-and-go player, Meagher has areas to work on, but her fundamentals are very good.

BENDIGO PIONEERS:

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

Stats: 21 disposals, 1 mark, 11 tackles, 2 rebound 50s

Worked incredibly hard all game and finished with a team-high 21 disposals and 11 tackles. She attacks the ball and opposition fiercely and never takes a backwards step, doing all she can to get her side on top. Her strength one-on-one is very good, and though her efficiency was perhaps a little lower than she is capable of, she was often swamped by opponents, and did what she could to try and get the ball forward.

#14 Lacey Nihill
Midfielder | 173cm | 01/05/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

A promising double bottom-ager with nice size and clean hands, Nihill has been one to not the past couple of games and she got reward for her effort against the Knights. Stepping up in the absence of Lou Painter, Nihill found plenty of the ball, applied great defensive pressure and was a clean distributor by both hand and foot around the stoppage and going inside 50. One to watch for the future.

#26 Sienna Hobbs
Ruck/Forward | 179cm | 14/10/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 12 hitouts, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Yet again was industrious in her work through the ruck and around the ground providing a contested marking option and using her body well in one-on-one situations. Some of the safest hands in the competition, Hobbs is no stranger to sharking the ruck taps as well and thumping it forward, while presenting inside 50. She copped a big hip-and-shoulder early in the fourth term but bounced back to maintain her impact.

#45 Lexi Gregor
Key Utility | 180cm | 07/04/2006

Stats: 11 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 2 rebound 50s

Not a huge game from the co-captain but what stands out about her work is her willingness to crack in when things aren’t going her way. She will drop down to defence after starting forward, and help out her back six, while also working through the middle in general play to add an extra number around the ball, Clean below her knees for a tall and a thumping kick as well.

Geelong Falcons 2.0 (12) lost to Tasmania Devils 3.5 (23)

By: Michael Alvaro

GEELONG FALCONS:

#6 Chloe Bryant
Midfielder | 164cm | 09/12/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Bryant’s constant movement and clean stoppage exits made for a greater impact than her 15 disposals suggest. The midfielder was able to step to the outside and generate forward momentum, like when she snared a goal from a forward 50 stoppage in term one. Bryant’s energy helped break open the clinches as she seldom disposed the ball off one step or in a hurry, instead looking to navigate through traffic. Her start to the game was particularly prominent.

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

Stats: 24 disposals, 9 tackles, 3 inside 50s

Howley took a little time to get going but eventually hit her stride to finish nine disposals clear as Geelong’s top ball winner. The balanced midfielder spread hard off the stoppages and backed her pace with ball in hand, though generating run-and-carry was tough in the conditions. She accumulated possessions with typical ease and her attacking instincts made for some of Geelong’s most effective passages. Howley also ticked the box as a vocal leader in the midfield group.

#19 Sienna Mallon
Defender | 165cm | 24/05/2006

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

Mallon has put together a solid last few weeks and was again an integral member of the Falcons’ defence. In tricky conditions, she was quite composed and clean with ball in hand, utilising her kicking skills to distribute the ball effectively from the back. Mallon also held her own in one-on-one contests on the last line and was trusted with some of the kick-in duties.

#27 Seisia White
Forward/Midfielder | 164cm | 07/10/2006

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s

As she often does, White started out up forward before getting a run in midfield after half time. The emerging top-ager was a reliable outlet for Geelong’s attacks through the middle, often hitting up at the kicker or getting into good spots to snap up clearing kicks. She provided a spark at ground level and leant on that trait when swapped into the centre bounces, helping launch the ball inside 50.

#28 Hayley Peck
Ruck | 180cm | 31/01/2005

Stats: 10 disposals, 5 tackles, 18 hitouts

Rotating through the ruck alongside Meg Lappin, Peck imposed herself as any good over-age tall should with plenty of physicality at the contest. She utilised her frame and craft to win a game-high 18 hitouts, proving difficult to move off the line of the ball. Peck also competed hard at ground level and held her own against a pair of willing Tasmanian rucks.

#32 Rebecca Clottey
Forward | 168cm | 05/05/2006

Stats: 8 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles

There are few harder hitters than Clottey, and her bone-crunching tackles were felt throughout the four quarters. While quite raw in terms of skills, particularly in the wet, Clottey could not be faulted for effort as she competed fiercely for the loose ball and buried opponents who beat her to it. She also showcased a strong core to stand in tackles and keep moving in the face of contact.

#38 Stella Huxtable
Midfielder/Forward | 167cm | 22/12/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s

Playing the inverse role to White, Huxtable started at the centre bounces before being swung forward. She is renowned for her clean handling and that was important in the dour conditions, though it was tough to manufacture any kind of expansive play. Still, the bottom-ager was one of Geelong’s most prominent ball winners and helped surge it forward from the contest.

TASMANIA DEVILS:

#1 Mischa Barwin
Forward | 164cm | 04/12/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 8 tackles, 1 inside 50

Barwin is just about the ideal high forward and once again played that role to a t on Saturday. The energetic bottom-ager constantly took the game on and gained territory with both her running and long kicking. Barwin’s turn of speed and clean skills made for more polished play than most others afield, even if producing a refined end product was difficult.

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

Stats: 10 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles

Read was held goalless for the first time this season on Saturday, but was still able to showcase her raw ability and opportunism inside 50. The rangy forward executed her skills relatively cleanly, having particularly little trouble being one-touch with the wet ball. She manufactured a couple of tricky opportunities to score in the third quarter but couldn’t quite find the target.

#9 Mia Anderson
Midfielder | 166cm | 14/02/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 inside 50s

Anderson was second only to Bowering in terms of Tasmania’s most prolific players, as she played the conditions well through midfield. The bottom-ager was clean and quick with her touches, able to keep the play flowing between the arcs and remain upright under pressure. Like many of her teammates, she was also willing to lay tackles and contribute to the heavily contested nature of the game.

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

Stats: 12 disposals, 6 tackles, 3 inside 50s

A leader of the Devils group, Thompson’s style suited the conditions as she got her hands dirty at the contest. The midfielder was an effective centre bounce sweeper and while finesse was hard to come by from all comers, her ability to apply pressure at the source was evident. On the way forward, Thompson surged out of packs with her ability to break tackles and hack the ball away.

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

Stats: 26 disposals, 8 tackles, 4 inside 50s

Bowering would have had few qualms about suiting up in the dour conditions and it was no surprise to see her amass a game-high 26 disposals. Along with Barwin, she also led Tasmania for tackles. The hard-nosed midfielder extracted contested ball with ease and fed her teammates prolifically by hand, defying the conditions with her efficiency. She was also able to gain territory with good kick penetration off only a step or two, clearing the contest or launching forward 50 entries.

#29 Mackenzie Williams
Forward | 171cm | 26/06/2006

Stats: 10 disposals, 1 mark, 2 inside 50s

Having become renowned for her work down back and with spurts in midfield, Williams’ versatility was further tested as a forward on Saturday. The National Academy member was encouraged to play a simple game, tasked with being first to the ball and competing hard. She does both quite naturally and was able to split contests before surging the ball within range of goal. Williams had a couple of chances deep inside 50 but either chose to centre the ball or miscued her snap attempts.

Dandenong Stingrays 1.0 (6) lost to Eastern Ranges 3.9 (27)

DANDENONG STINGRAYS:

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

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

In challenging conditions Reynolds still had an impact, with her clean hands and ability to work hard both ways important for her side. She is damaging by hand or foot, and though often under immense pressure, adapted to the conditions well and was able to mop up when required and hit the tougher passes. Her impact increased from the second term onwards and helped stem the tide of the Ranges’ scoring from the opening quarter, though even she made the odd mistake by foot showing just how bad the torrential rain was on the day.

#9 Elli Symonds
Forward | 178cm | 07/10/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 9 tackles, 9 hitouts, 3 inside 50s

In her second game back from injury, Symonds was near best-on for the Stingrays in the loss playing three and a bit quarters before coming off after looking a touch sore from sliding in the wet. Prior to that Symonds was great at ground level, laying plenty of tackles and dishing off handballs to teammates, with a highlight being her run-down tackle on the equally athletic Baba in the first term. Clean the entire game, Symonds competed in the air and was able to play to the conditions, thumping the ball inside 50 on a number of occasions.

#11 Kayla Dalgleish
Forward | 161cm | 15/07/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

A naturally competitive player Dalgleish had no qualms about the conditions, applying her usual amount of defensive pressure in the forward half of the ground. She tried to hit the scoreboard with a number of snaps or a set shot, the latter of which was on target but marked on the line in the second term. Overall, played her role in the wet.

#53 Scarlett Marsh
Defender | 160cm | 03/04/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Found plenty of the ball moving it from defence to offence and transitioned in with some speed and generally effective disposal. Always tough to do too much in the conditions, but she was fairly damaging and did provide run as well as pressure inside the defensive 50.

EASTERN RANGES:

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

Stats: 32 disposals, 1 mark, 11 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Starring in the wet, McMillan showed off her clean hands in the tough conditions and was able to show off her well balanced offensive and defensive traits. The Eastern Ranges bottom-ager has lighting quick hands and is able to hit up passes by foot consistently as well, working hard off half-back in the game too when assisting the defenders. She had a short on goal in the third term that just missed, but her best work was doing out of the middle.

#7 Stasia Stevenson
Forward/Midfielder | 164cm | 02/10/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 3 inside 50s

Stevenson had her usual rotating between forward and midfield, showing clean hands and defensive pressure to be an all-round threat. In the second term when moving into the middle she won a critical centre clearance to keep the ball in her side’s forward half. Otherwise her ability to find pockets of space inside 50 is very good, marking alone 45m out and kicking to the hotspot in the third quarter.

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

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Did her best to create her usual run and carry from the back half and along the wing but was met with some challenges from the rain. At one stage she slipped over but still took the mark and was able to compose herself to hit the target. She cracked in and was able to apply herself more defensively to suit the conditions, and played a smart brand of wet weather football.

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

Stats: 29 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Had the ball on a string to work alongside McMillan and did her best to get her team on top through the middle. The conditions did not worry her one iota and she put her body on the line and provided an aerial presence even if she couldn’t mark it. She used the ball well going forward with a kick to Brisbane on the lead, and was clean at ground level, making for an all-round impressive performance

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

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 2 hitouts, 1 goal

Not the ideal conditions for a contested marking forward, but Brisbane made the best go of it. She still clunked four grabs, lead well and had Zoe Besanko for company in the match. She worked up to the wing at times to find the ball, and aside from being caught behind Besanko once in the second term, made a point of staying in front and playing to her strengths. Had a good scrap at ground level as well, getting the ball out and applying her own defensive pressure.

#17 Grace Baba
Defender | 177cm | 17/09/2006

Stats: 10 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Baba was in the wars at different points in the match, having to come off a couple of times after going down in the wet. She sat out the last bit of the match as a precaution, but prior to that had some moments. Her running goal from 55m with an open goalsquare that sailed home was an eye-catching moment, and almost did it again from long range that just missed. Still played in defence but was very aggressive in her offensive running.

#30 Isla Baldwin
Midfielder | 162cm | 22/12/2005

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 8 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Held her own in the wet conditions and cracked in at ground level not afraid to get muddy. She had to be helped off at one stage after a collision in the second term, but came back on and still did not back off. Took a good mark in the third term intercepting to have a shot but it drifted to the left for a behind. Overall another Ranges player who played her role.

#42 Brylee Anderson
Defender | 172cm | 23/03/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 7 rebound 50s

The double bottom-ager and Vic Metro Under 16s MVP was prolific in her attack from the back half, providing copious amounts of rebound and turning defence into offence. She had to adapt to the conditions, but cleared the danger on a number of occasions, also tasked with either the kickouts or the next kick in line. Competitive and able to find the ball on a whim reading the play well.

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

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

A classy forward who also rolled through the middle to help out in defence, Rankin kicked her side’s third and final goal nine minutes into the first term. That came from a set shot, though she still impacted after that, clearing the ball forward every chance she got. A player who catches the eye with her disposal and decision making, Rankin is one who will only get better over the next couple of years.

GWV Rebels 3.9 (27) defeated Calder Cannons 3.7 (25)

GWV REBELS:

#7 Maggie Johnstone
Midfielder/Forward | 170cm | 06/06/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 1 goal, 1 behind

The eye-catching bottom-ager just had her moments through the game, particularly in the first half where she lead well to half-forward, often grabbed it cleanly off the half-volley, or was able to clunk it out in front. She did just that early to convert her sole game in the match, but she did have a couple of opportunities as well. Johnstone was defensively strong when in defence mode too.

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

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

Found a fair bit of the ball playing off half-back and also took kickouts to assist in clearing it from the defensive zone, though did not take a mark which is out of the ordinary for her. Strong one-on-one and able to use her body well in the air and at ground level, Lang interrupted a lot of forward forays from the Cannons and kept trying to the final siren. Mopped up quite often, and though her kicking was not pinpoint, still was more often than not effective.

#16 Brook Ward
Midfielder/Defender | 169cm | 18/04/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

In just her second game back from injury, the midfielder did catch the eye with her work on the inside, racking up 19 touches playing between there and defence.She is a nice user of the ball, often mopped up or extracted it from the coalface, not afraid to throw her body on the line in order to win the ball for her side. Though not explosive, she has great strength and is accountable while also having some offensive flair.

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

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 3 hitouts, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 3 behinds

The Vic Country tall was uncharacteristically a little wayward in front of goal with three behinds, but she still impacted with her attack on the ball and work rate up the ground. Her hands were better than her feet on the day, and had a few things gone differently, Mahony could have ended up with three or four goals, with one attempt from close range smothered off the boot late in the game. Her marking prowess was still on display, however.

#26 Olivia Wolter
Defender/Wing | 169cm | 26/11/2006

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Wolter did not win a stack of the ball, but a couple of moments really stood out. She has a great sidestep and gets into ball-winning positions. On a couple of occasions she looked to break the lines by creating her own space with her run, and even earned a 50m penalty after being pushed over on the wing late in the match. Has some fundamentals to still develop, but moves well and can impact the game in various ways.

CALDER CANNONS:

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

Stats: 14 disposals, 13 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

The smart and tenacious forward got her full-time chance through the middle and brought the same amount of heat around the ball. She cracked in, was clean at ground level and showed fantastic speed and evasion at the contest. Albrecht ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to overall profile, and aside from the final execution, does a lot right. Did give away a 50m penalty late for pushing over Wolter though. All up she was among the better Cannons again, though.

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

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

Had a blistering start to the game with a dominant first term and pretty busy start to the second quarter. Starting on-ball considering the talent missing from the Cannons’ midfield group, Forbest looked to extract it well and boot it long down the ground. Clean at ground level and quick by hand, Forbes had one of her better quarters this season, finishing off with an intercept mark in the defensive 50 on the final siren. Had a quieter second half, but still finished as one of the better Cannons in the loss.

#47 Lara Churchill
Forward | 161cm | 24/08/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 goal, 3 behinds

A really lively player in the forward 50, Churchill looked dangerous each time the ball was in her area. Able to track the ball without taking possession, once she found the freedom to win it, she dished off well to a teammate. Should have made more of her set shots on goal, but did kick one in the final term from close range after reading the flight of the ball stationed behind the pack. Set up anbother goal and was quite good on the lead too.

#54 Charli Calleia
Forward / Midfielder | 169cm | 28/10/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Fought hard through the contest and had some notable moments such as her clean pickups off the deck and work through traffic. She understands the game well and had nice technique with her disposal even if it did turnoer at times. She spent time on-ball and gained great experience there, with the 15-year-old still adapting to the Under 18s level with plenty of further improvement to come.

Western Jets 4.6 (30) lost to Gippsland Power 11.8 (74)

WESTERN JETS:

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

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 behind

It was not one of Grieves’ more prolific games, but the fact she still found the ball 23 times and was among her side’s best speaks to her quality. Grieves had a quieter start to the game but worked her way into it, particularly through the middle two quarters. She was able to find space on the outside and at one stage late in the first half intercept marked on the forward side of the centre and hit a target inside 50 for a goal assist. Had a chance herself in the final term but her set shot from 45m missed to the right.

#26 Piper Dixon
Forward | 158cm | 16/10/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 goals, 1 behind

Wasn’t the easiest game to come into for the debutant, but after working hard in the forward 50, Dixon got on the end of a couple and kicked two last quarter goals for the Jets. Her first came after running onto a loose ball six minutes into the fourth term and kick from point-blank, while the second followed a mark and subsequent set shot from 30m out straight in front.

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 8 marks, 9 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Starting in defence, the natural inside midfielder showed she is one of the more impressive aerial players for her size, clunking eight marks at just 157cm. She worked hard and drove the ball from defence while getting her hands dirty close to the contest. Moved into the midfield in the second half and still looked to crash and bash through there, and while the going was a little tougher, would have been the best Jet on the day.

GIPPSLAND POWER:

#9 Lily Milner
Forward/Midfielder | 170cm | 25/01/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

Backed up her impressive Round 13 performance with another strong outing in Round 14. She started by setting up a nice kick from the wing inside 50 that led to a Centra goal, then got one of her own early in the third by protecting the ball drop and marking 25m out from goal. She went on-ball during the second half and applied some nice pressure, getting back to help out the defence and show some good two-way running.

#10 Grace Dillow
Forward/Midfielder | 165cm | 03/06/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

Hard to miss on a dreary day in her bright green boots, but her performance, which includeded a nice running goal late in the first term, was very good. She impacted across the ground and competed well in midfield, showing signs that she has a promising future. Good at winning it on the outside as well as the inside, she ran hard and almost kicked two goals in a minute had her shot after the quarter time siren not drifted to the far right.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 2 behinds

Sowden started forward and then moved into the midfield in the second half where she would find more of the ball and begin racking up the touches. Her usually high efficiency was down in the match with a few more turnovers, but she did kick a classy goal in the finish, roving off hands and snapping truly. Had another chance late in the third term that saw her blaze away and just miss, but did well in the lead-up to that, shrugging off a would-be tackler.

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

Stats: 28 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 3 goals

Another best on ground performance from the star talent who did as she pleased rotating between midfield and attack. Though her set shots are not usually her strength, she nailed her first one in the tricky breeze, then pulled out the party tricks with a clever snap later in the quarter and a soccer goal off the deck midway in the third term while under pressure. Used the ball well, was clean and though she gave away a couple of free kicks in the game, caught the eye and was that class above in the wet.

#19 Ella Stoddart
Forward | 173cm | 30/01/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

Spent more time forward than usual in the game and had a tough time out in the torrential rain during the second term, but did convert a major off clever play in the third quarter. She read the ball off the ruck tap and got it onto her left boot between two opponents for it to sail home. Set up another couple of goals in the game and provided strong forward pressure as well to lock the ball inside 50.

#29 Rebecca Fitzpatrick
Midfielder / Forward | 170cm | 31/01/2007

Stats: 27 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 3 behinds

One of her best games to-date, Fitzpatrick was prolific throguhout all four quarters and just kept finding the ball. She had a couple of chances on goal that did not quite pan out, but kicked a great goal on the run after receiving the handball ffrom Stoddart during the third term. Her second efforts and contest-to-contest work was very good throughout the match and she covered the ground exceptionally well.

Sandringham Dragons 4.4 (28) defeated Murray Bushrangers 3.7 (25)

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#15 Sophie McKay
Midfielder | 168cm | 27/04/2006

Stats: 27 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Our Rookie Me Central Player of the Week, McKay returned to the Dragons side and had an impact in her work from the stoppages and getting the ball forward. Her explosive speed and power from congestion helped break up a contested game, and she was as good at ground level as she was competitive in the air. Her defensive running is a notable improvement for the talented teenager, but she did get back to assist in the dying moments of the nail-biting game.

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

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Another key inclusion for the Dragons, Flockart worked hard playing on-ball and was fierce at the coalface. She was able to stand up in tackles and get the ball away, and though a little fumbly at times, was able to move well through traffic and thump the ball forward. Has some developable traits and got behind the ball late in the game as well.

#46 Scout Howden
Wing | 173cm | 01/02/2006

Stats: 24 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

Ran all day off a wing and racked up the ball with ease, working well between the arcs. A natural defensive runner, Howden got back to assist the defence throughout the game and was often one to either quickly dish off by hand or spin out of trouble and kick down the ground. Looked to move the ball on quickly and teamed up well with her inside brigade, Howden was solid across the ground in changing weather conditions.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS:

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

Stats: 25 disposals, 13 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 behind

The pick of the Bushrangers in a losing effort, Dodd started on-ball after having stints as a wing and defender in the past. Her defensive pressure – which included run-down tackles and locking the ball up at the stoppages was very good, and she played with a high level of competitiveness to get her team over the line. Dodd’s eye-catching burst speed was on display and though at one stage a bounce in the wet conditions did not pay out, she had time to recover and kick down the ground given she had afforded herself time and space.

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 5 hitouts, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals, 1 behind

Kicked two last quarter goals to give her side a sniff in the game, both of which came from hard running inside 50. She had impacted prior to that though, looking to drive the ball deep inside 50 or work up the ground and dish off. Had a productive game throughout and became a distributor of sorts as well. Has shown she can play at both ends of the ground too.

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 9 tackles, 1 inside 50, 3 rebounds 50s, 1 behind

Egan started in defence and had little chance to impact aerially like she normally would, instead getting down at ground level. She soccered it off the deck on a number of occasions from half-back, then moved into the midfield in the second half in stints and even got forward to have a couple of shots on goal. She ran hard, looked to provide a bit of flair through the middle, but always remained strong in her defensive accountability, laying nine tackles in the match.

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

Stats: 24 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

After a quieter game last match, Green was back to finding the ball at will once again, winning the second most touches on her side. She was strong on the inside, stood up in tackles and still dished it off, and also used her power from the congestion to breakaway and draw opponents. In the third term Green produced a double fend-off on Judie Goldman then McKay to get free, and consistently broke tackles with ease. Capped off her day with a well-timed spoil at half-forward in the final five minutes of the match.

#44 Eliza Roche
Midfielder / Forward | 164cm | 03/03/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal

The double bottom-ager had some eye-catching moments in the game, starting on-ball and getting her chance there before going forward and being an option. Her classy finish on the run from 35m just before the half-time siren provided her side with a spark, and though she could not capitalise on a couple more chances, still remained lively. Dropped two chest marks in the final few minutes including one in the goalsquare after doing all the hard work to get rid of her opponent in the marking contest, but her performance was definitely a promising one.