EIGHT sides became four over the weekend, with the top two metropolitan and top two country sides advancing through to the Coates Talent League Girls Preliminary Finals where the teams will face-off for two grand final spots.

Oakleigh Chargers 9.15 (69) defeated Sandringham Dragons 2.4 (16)

MATCH SUMMARY:

Oakleigh Chargers got on top early, and despite some inaccuracy throughout the first half – kicking 5.10 to 2.1, a three goals to nil third term essentially sealed the deal. The reigning premiers had too many options, and while the inside 50 count was practically even (35-34), the Chargers’ defence was able to clear the ball more consistently, then find more options inside 50, scoring 71 per cent of the time they went inside 50, compared to the Dragons’ 17.6 per cent.

KEY STATS:

Disposals: 289-197
Marks: 47-30
Inside 50s: 35-34
Rebound 50s: 31-24
Tackles: 60-65
Hitouts: 38-33

INDIVIDUAL STATS:

Sarah Poustie (Oakleigh Chargers) 32 disposals, 5 marks, 9 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Abbey Vicino (Oakleigh Chargers) 22 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals
Emma McDonald (Oakleigh Chargers) 18 disposals, 5 marks, 3 hitouts, 2 goals, 4 behinds
Charlotte Brewer (Oakleigh Chargers) 17 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s
Sophie McKay (Sandringham Dragons) 23 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s
Macy Watkins (Sandringham Dragons) 17 disposals, 1 mark, 9 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50
Lucia Turnbull (Sandringham Dragons) 11 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

NEXT WEEK:

Oakleigh Chargers meet Dandenong Stingrays in the preliminary final for a shot at reaching another grand final.

Eastern Ranges 5.15 (45) defeated Northern Knights 5.4 (34)

MATCH SUMMARY:

Eastern Ranges made life a little more difficult than it needed to be against Northern Knights, having 20 scoring shots to nine, but only really sealing the win in the dying minutes. The Ranges dominated field position with a whopping 57 inside 50s to 24, but inaccuracy hurt, which was largely due to the incredible Northern Knights pressure. The Knights laid 88 tackles across the course of the game and forced a lot of tough shots, though the Ranges also missed some easier chances along the way. Still, the Ranges just hat that extra class to get the job done.

KEY STATS:

Disposals: 279-238
Marks: 31-51
Inside 50s: 57-24
Rebound 50s: 19-51
Tackles: 67-88
Hitouts: 35-22

INDIVIDUAL STATS:

Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges) 26 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 8 inside 50s
Grace Baba (Eastern Ranges) 21 disposals, 4 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s
Jordyn Allen (Eastern Ranges) 20 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s
Georgie Brisbane (Eastern Ranges) 14 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 2 hitouts, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals
Hannah Scott (Northern Knights) 21 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 9 rebound 50s
Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights) 17 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s
Mary Robinson (Northern Knights) 15 disposals, 8 marks, 5 tackles, 3 hitouts, 5 rebound 50s

NEXT WEEK:

Eastern Ranges go on to face Geelong Falcons in the preliminary final for a spot in the grand final.

Dandenong Stingrays 12.14 (86) defeated Gippsland Power 2.5 (17)

MATCH SUMMARY:

Dandenong Stingrays withstood a gallant challenge from Gippsland Power to run out 69-point winners courtesy of a dominant final term. The Power drew within 19 points at the 12 and a half minute mark of the third term, before Dandenong piled on 8.3 (51) to 0.1 (1) in the last 27 and a half minutes to blow the margin right out. It was a dominant finish by the Stingrays with the momentum too much for the Power, and the feeling of being knocked out of finals having the usual effect on the losing side towards the end of the match.

KEY STATS:

Disposals: 239-196
Marks: 26-19
Inside 50s: 45-16
Rebound 50s: 13-31
Tackles: 80-67
Hitouts: 31-34

INDIVIDUAL STATS:

Kayla Dalgleish (Dandenong Stingrays) 20 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal
Elli Symonds (Dandenong Stingrays) 18 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 9 hitouts, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal
Alice Cunnington (Dandenong Stingrays) 14 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 goals
Tahlia Sanger (Dandenong Stingrays) 20 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Ash Centra (Gippsland Power) 35 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 3 hitouts, 4 inside 50s, 6 rebound 50s
Ella Stoddart (Gippsland Power) 21 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50, 8 rebound 50s
Lilly Leighton (Gippsland Power) 14 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

NEXT WEEK:

Dandenong Stingrays will take on reigning premiers Oakleigh Chargers in the preliminary final for a spot in the grand final.

Geelong Falcons 9.12 (66) defeated Tasmania Devils 5.7 (37)

MATCH SUMMARY:

A fast 29-0 start from the Geelong Falcons set up a commanding 29-point victory over Tasmania Devils. For the second successive year, the Falcons took down the higher ranked Devils, booting eight of their nine goals with the breeze, while the Devils kicked all five down that end. While the Devils drew within 17 points at the main break, the Falcons kicked away in the premiership quarter to set up the victory.

KEY STATS:

Disposals: 251-194
Marks: 51-16
Inside 50s: 47-22
Rebound 50s: 17-35
Tackles: 70-71
Hitouts: 42-22

INDIVIDUAL STATS:

Stella Huxtable (Geelong Falcons) 27 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 8 inside 50s, 2 goals
Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons) 24 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50
Hayley Peck (Geelong Falcons) 21 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 35 hitouts, 4 inside 50s
Mekah Morrissy (Geelong Falcons) 20 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 7 inside 50s, 1 goal
Mackenzie Williams (Tasmania Devils) 21 disposals, 2 tackles, 9 rebound 50s
Mia Anderson (Tasmania Devils) 16 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 4 inside 50s
Mischa Barwin (Tasmania Devils) 12 disposals, 3 marks, 10 tackles, 2 inside 50s

NEXT WEEK:

Geelong Falcons will meet Eastern Ranges next weekend for a spot in the grand final.