WRAPPING up the first week of Coates Talent League Girls finals are the four country regions who made the post-season series with Tasmania topping the division, while Dandenong, Gippsland and Geelong all feature as well.

Sunday, September 8
Shepley Oval | @ 11:00am

FORM:

For the second consecutive round, these two sides will face off against one another, and Dandenong Stingrays will be hoping to repeat the result. The Stingrays crushed the Power by 73 points at Morwell a fortnight ago in the last round of the regular season. It marked the second time the Stingrays have beaten the Power this season, and enter the finals series off a three-game winning streak.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Dandenong Stingrays:

The Stingrays are well balanced across the board with the likes of tall duo Elli Symonds and Zoe Besanko rotating between ruck and forward. They will look to control that area of the game, while Jemma Reynolds and Kayla Dalgleish provide the spark between midfield and attack. The Brothwell twins – Nalu and Mizuki – have got better as the season has gone on, while Tahlia Sanger and Alice Cunnington add important run along the wings.

Gippsland Power:

All eyes will be on Ash Centra to see if she can try and lift her side up to bounce back from last time out. Alongside Jasmine Sowden – who kicked all three of Gippsland’s goals in the loss – the pair will look to get on top through the middle. Grace Dillow has been in ripping form as a double bottom-ager, while Lilly Leighton also received a State Combine invite this year. Ella Stoddart and the returning Abby Hobson can add some firepower up forward.

PREDICTION

All signs point to Dandenong based on the sides head-to-head results this season, and the Stingrays are at their home deck so expect a big showing. They reached the preliminary finals last season, so are likely to achieve that feat once again, with reigning premiers Oakleigh most likely waiting for them.

Sunday, September 8
Shepley Oval | @ 1:10pm

FORM:

Tasmania Devils had a bye in the final round, so have not played since Augst 17. That day they took case of Bendigo Pioneers by 49 points, following a 39-pint victory over Calder Cannons two weeks prior to that and the tight 11-point victory over Geelong Falcons in challenging conditions. They come in having not lost since May, with eight consecutive victories, but have only played one game in the past month so might be a touch rusty. Geelong Falcons have had mixed form of late, defeating GWV Rebels in the last round, but have a 2-3 record from the past five games.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Tasmania Devils:

Though Tasmania has been in great form, the Devils will be minus star midfielder and best and fairest winner Priya Bowering, with the likes of Mackenzie Williams returning to the side, and bottom-agers Mischa Barwin and Harriet Bingley also important to get on top. Ava Read kicked the most goals in the season, while Lucah Conkie and Natasha Furjanic will provide some important run. An interesting inclusion is Emma Castles who last played in Round 11 where she had the defensive job on Ash Centra.

Geelong Falcons:

Star midfielder Sara Howley will be key in getting the Falcons on top out of the middle, having teamed up well with fellow Vic Country representatives Stella Huxtable and Mekah Morrissy on the inside and outside respectively. Chloe Bryant has also been busy around the stoppages, while the likes of Rebecca Clottey and Seisia White add pressure to the front half of the ground.

PREDICTION

Tasmania Devils have been the more consistent side in 2024, but Bowering is a massive loss. The Devils do have the depth to still get the job done, and will look to limit the likes of Howley around the stoppages, but will still need to win their own ball get it forward to the likes of Read to put a score on the board. Expect arguably the closest match of the weekend.