GIPPSLAND Power top-ager Jasmine Sowden had a day out against Murray Bushrangers to pick up the penultimate Rookie Me Central Coates Talent League Girls Player of the Week nomination. The talented Vic Country representative had 31 disposals and slammed home four goals in a clear best on ground performance for the Power.

In the absence of star teammate Ash Centra, Sowden took hold of the match against the winless Bushrangers, starting on-ball then rotating forward and spending large portions of time inside 50. The versatile prospect not only kicked 4.2 for the day, but handed off several other chances for teammates as well.

Along with her equal game-high 31 disposals and game-high four goals, she also had an equal game-high seven marks, and game-high seven inside 50s, while laying three tackles and being prominent all over the forward half of the ground. Gippsland won by 45 points, though the Power was often their own worst enemy at times, kicking 17 behinds for the match – including 0.5 in the last term – at Highgate Recreation Reserve.

Sowden became the second Gippsland Power player nominated for Player of the Week behind Centra who was nominated back in Round 2. She also snapped a streak of five consecutive metropolitan-based players, and was the first top-age Vic Country representative since Jemma Reynolds in Round 8.

Also impressing in the Gippsland-Murray match was Ava Deszcz who kicked 3.5 – and could have easily kicked six or seven – from 13 touches and six marks, while Holly Egan and Ellie Hall each had 30-plus disposals. As did the aforementioned Reynolds during her side’s win over Gippsland Power, as well as three inside 50s and two rebound 50s.

However alongside Reynolds was her partner-in-crime Kayla Dalgleish who had 20 disposals, five marks and kicked a goal rotating between midfield and attack, while Elli Symonds (20 disposals, four tackles and 12 hitouts) was influential both in ruck and attack.

On the same day, Western Jets star and Vic Metro MVP Sierra Grieves racked up 33 disposals, seven marks, 11 tackles, seven inside 50s and a goal in another jaw-dropping display throughout the win over GWV Rebels. She was well supported by both Lou-Lou Field and Alex McBride-Loane who had 25-plus disposals each.

The day before, Tasmanian duo Priya Bowering (23 disposals, seven inside 50s and a goal) and Ava Read (11 disposals, four goals) were both strong in the victory over Bendigo Pioneers, while past Oakleigh nominees Chloe Bown and Sarah Poustie caught the eye for the Chargers against Sandringham.

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)
Round 10 – Priya Bowering (Tasmania Devils)
Round 11 – Tayla McMillan (Eastern Ranges)
Round 12 – Chloe Bown (Oakleigh Chargers)
Round 13 – Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers)
Round 14 – Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons)
Round 15 – Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges)
Round 16 – Jasmine Sowden (Gippsland Power)