FINALS action is almost here in the Coates Talent League Girls competition, with a trio of metropolitan wildcard matches today. All three games will be played at Trevor Barker Oval in a massive triple-header, as a couple of sides close out their seasons, while others tune up for finals.

Sunday, August 25
Trevor Barker Oval | @ 10:30am

FORM:

Since their heart-breaking loss to Oakleigh back in Round 10, the Northern Knights have won five on the bounce to lock themselves into a top three metropolitan spot. Though those five wins have come against sides not in the top eight, the first of them was a 64-point thrashing of Sandringham. The Dragons were able to bounce back from a tough losing run to knock off Murray Bushrangers, before being well beaten by the Chargers last round,

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Northern Knights:

The midfield group of the Knights really stands up, as skipper Holly Ridewood and fellow Vic Metro Under 18s representatives in Zoe Hargreaves, Marlo Graham and ruck Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb a centre bounce starting combination at times. Ridewood has done well off a wing this season and even either end flanks, while they higher ranked side will welcome the return of speedster Maddison Meagher to the side. Olivia Jesser has kicked three goals in a game in three of her past four matches to be red-hot as a forward-midfielder.

Sandringham Dragons:

Pivotal midfielder Sophie McKay returns for the clash after resting last week, and will join Scout Howden and Daisy Flockart back in the side as Vic Metro representatives. Chloe Williams starred for Melbourne Girls Grammar in the recent Herald Sun Shield Senior Girls final, while Chloe Shipton and Tiger Doultree provide targets up either end.

PREDICTION

Northern has more depth and should be too strong here once again, though Sandringham’s midfield is a strength if it can get on top. The Knights are in great form and have shown they can push any side in the league which is a good sign ahead of finals.

Sunday, August 25
Trevor Barker Oval | @ 12:40pm

FORM:

The two best sides in the competition and a potential grand final preview for the second year in a row, the Chargers’ only loss came back in Round 4 against Gold Coast Suns Academy when they went down by 11 points. Since then, the Chargers have won nine consecutive matches, including back-to-back 10-goal smashings of Sandringham and Western in the past fortnight. Eastern has similar form, winning seven of its past eight games, with the only loss coming with a half depleted squad went down to a full-strength Geelong Falcons outfit.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Oakleigh Chargers:

Named in defence for the second week in a row, Emma McDonald will go from friend to foe with Eastern skipper Georgie Brisbane after the pair combined to spearhead Vic Metro’s attack at the national carnival. The Chargers have plenty of forward options though, but have gone with a smaller more versatile lineup, with Bailee Martin, Zoe Curry and Abbey Vicino all able to roll through the midfield as well. Sarah Poustie headlines a stacked midfield that is still missing the injured Maggie Mahony, with Chloe Bown and Chloe Thorn in there. The half-back line of McDonald, Sienna Tallariti and Charlotte Brewer is sublime.

Eastern Ranges:

Like Oakleigh, Eastern has stacked talent everywhere you look. Bottom-age ruck Josephine Bamford has had a fantastic season in 2024, while midfielders Tayla McMillan and Grace Belloni are superb clearance players, the latter particularly dominant in the air down forward. Add in the likes of Stasia Stevenson, Jordyn Allen and Emily Rankin who have all spent significant time there, and it looms as a huge element within the match. Brylee Anderson and Grace Baba have provided great run and carry out of defence, wing Evie Parker is another crucial player, while Georgia Knight is one of the competition’s’ most prolific goalkickers.

PREDICTION

An absolute treat for fans with the two best sides going head-to-head. Oakleigh is the team to beat in 2024, but Eastern’s form could be argued to be better of late – though they both just keep winning – and the Ranges have been able to get it done in all weather situations too. It is tough to pick against the reigning premiers who go up a level, but expect it to just be a goal or two the difference either way.

Sunday, August 25
Trevor Barker Oval | @ 2:50pm

FORM:

At the other end of the scale to the last game, the two bottom metropolitan sides battle it out with Western coming off an impressive win over the GWV Rebels last round with one of the Jets’ strongest sides to-date. They can rise above Sandringham with a win and a Dragons loss, while the Cannons – whose only win came against the Bushrangers – can look to finish the season on a high with a victory.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Western Jets:

The Jets midfield combination that included Vic Metro MVP Sierra Grieves, and the likes of Indi Stanley will be crucial in getting the win, though they will be without Olivia Castello and Hannah Brodie for the contest. They have some dangerous forwards in double bottom-agers Kiara Boyd and Piper Dixon, while tall defender/ruck Alex McBride-Loane has been named at half-forward. Skipper Lou-Lou Field‘s return to the side last round provided some nice composure out of the back half.

Calder Cannons:

Calder ends it year hoping to get a win, with top-age draft chance Kyla Forbes named to start on-ball having played on all three lines. Maddison Albrecht and captain Ava Gerada have put in consistent performances throughout the season, while Jade McLay and Stephanie Mitchell are a couple of players who have worked hard on the inside and outside respectively. Charli Calleia is a future talent to remember through the midfield.

PREDICTION

Western Jets showed why they are capable of last week so expect them to go on with it against the Cannons in the last game of the day. The Cannons will look to stretch the midfield if they can get on top of it, but if Grieves starts doing her thing through there then the Jets could be in for a big day. A lot of the players on both sides are more names to remember for the future.