IN A repeat of last year’s preliminary finalists, Country region sides Dandenong Stingrays and Geelong Falcons advanced through to the final round following wins over Gippsland Power and Tasmania Devils in the Coates Talent League Girls Elimination Finals. We took note of some of the standouts focusing on some of the Draft Combine invites and future stars, with all notes the opinion of the individual author.

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

DANDENONG STINGRAYS:

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

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

The consistent midfielder again started through the midfield and utilised her burst speed to breakaway from opponents in the middle, then had an even longer run off half-back taking two bounces as she ran to the wing. Unfortunately she turned the ball over kicking at such speed, but was able to impact the game through setting up a number of nice passes from the middle going forward allowing teammates to take shots on goal.

#6 Zoe Besanko
Forward/Ruck | 178cm | 25/05/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 12 hitouts, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

Had some nice moment throughout the match getting involved in transition and and getting into ball-winning positions. Her leading patterns when forward were good, she competed at ground level and took a nice intercept mark 40m out from a quick kick forward and Besanko went back and nailed the goal from a 45-degree angle. Overall a really solid four-quarter performance.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 9 hitouts, 5 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Symonds started in the ruck and then full-forward for the second term, having an impact across both roles. She kicked a great running goal early in the second term, and those she turned over some chances on transition, was still among the more influential players on the ground. Gets her hand on the pill and applies great defensive pressure at ground level for a tall, working hard as that “fourth midfielder” once the ruck contest is over.

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Playing midfield throughout the match, Dalgleish brought her usual defensive pressure around the coalface and found the ball across all three areas of the ground. She did get on the end of one with an elite finish out of a forward stoppage, with another chance shortly after hitting the post. at times she can rush her kicks, but will always add extra heat and put pressure on the opposition to win the ball back.

#17 Evelyn Connolly
Forward | 169cm | 26/05/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 3 hitouts, 1 goal, 3 behinds

When given the opportunities, Connolly always has plenty of chances on goal, finishing with 1.3 from four scoring shots. At times she can spray it a little, but has nice goal sense all the same, nailing a set shot in the final term from a 45-degree angle. She set up two goals in the same term to Makhaela Bluhm and Cunnington, so was involved plenty outside her own scoreboard impact.

#60 Alice Cunnington
Forward | 172cm | 30/06/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 goals, 2 behinds

Developing at a rate of knots, Cunnington continued her development up forward and provided a nice spark with three goals a couple of behinds getting into dangerous positions. She kicked one from a set shot after a good mark, then ran onto another and had a third from a handball receive in the goalsquare. The latter two came in the final term, as she looked the most dangerous forward for the Stingrays throughout the contest.

GIPPSLAND POWER:

#16 Ash Centra
Utility | 174cm | 02/06/2006

Stats: 35 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 3 hitouts, 4 inside 50s, 6 rebound 50s

Finished her season on a high with some fantastic highlights and looking to do it all. While Centra still uncharacteristically made some turnovers coming out of defence, she played a fluid role that saw the pick one contender work from deep in defence up forward. Going out with a bang, she racked up far more touches than anyone on the ground and had 20 by half-time before the Stingrays were more cognisant of her impact, but not before she made her presence felt.

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

Stats: 21 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50, 8 rebound 50s

Back in her more familiar defensive role, Stoddart provided a consistent rebounding force out of the back 50, finding plenty of the ball in the process. After Centra was the next best with her booming left foot kick clearing the danger time and time again. Though the breeze did wreck havoc at times and forced turnovers, she consistently mopped up and looked to be a get-and-go player out of the back 50.

#25 Lilly Leighton
Midfielder | 161cm | 08/10/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The hard working midfielder earned a State Draft Combine invite and then finished off her year well with another strong effort on-ball. Having a crack throughout the four quarters, Leighton is capable of winning it both on the inside and outside, and getting to either end of the ground to provide support. Overall has neat traits and is not afraid to put her body on the line.

#32 Abby Hobson
Forward | 174cm | 11/09/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Provided an important target inside 50 with a number of strong marks and almost marks, soccering home a major from the goalsquare. She had a few chances on goal that did not quite go to plan, but her presentation as a lead-up forward to get all the way up to half-back and clear the area was impressive. Will be one to watch for next year.

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

TASMANIA DEVILS:

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

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 11 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 behind

The tenacious talent got her chance through midfield more in the absence of Priya Bowering and Lucy Thompson, laying double-digit tackles and being a dual-threat for the opposition. She ran down the explosive Howley early, put her body on the line in a marking contest, then had some eye-catching bursts down the ground. She missed a chance from 40m out early in the second for Tasmania’s first score of the day, but defensively was very good.

#26 Harriet Bingley
Utility | 172cm | 23/03/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 5 hitouts, 2 goals, 1 behind

Tried to provide a spark for her side up forward booting two goals in the second term before impressively taking a number of ruck stoppages around the ground. Her strength in close and overhead is very impressive, and she had another chance on goal via a dribble attempt but it did not quite work out.

#29 Mackenzie Williams
Defender/Midfielder | 171cm | 26/06/2006

Stats: 22 disposals, 2 tackles, 9 rebound 50s

The hard-running Tasmanian provided distribution out of the back 50 and a reliable intercepting force under immense pressure. She returned after missing last game and was one of her side’s best afield in the loss, then moved on-ball in the fourth quarter. A solid finish to the year for the talented National Draft Combine invitee.

GEELONG FALCONS:

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

Stats: 25 disposals, 6 marks, 4 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 behinds

Had a huge start to the game racking it up with ease and getting her hands on just about everything forward of centre. She covered the ground well and had a couple of chances on goal that eventually lead to a couple of misses. In the third term she found herself copping some heavy attention and to shake the tag interchanged for a short time, then switched with Morrissy to go on a wing. She still finished as one of the better players on the ground.

#8 Mekah Morrissy
Wing | 159cm | 16/01/2006

Stats: 20 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 7 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

One of her better games, the Falcons skipper continued to work throughout the four quarters and had some great offensive run to match her always present defensive efforts. Her goal on the run in the third term was outstanding and duly celebrated, with Morrissy’s transition work to get the ball inside 50 time and time again crucial to getting her side over the line.

#17 Ava Bilyk
Defender | 167cm | 07/07/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 2 rebound 50s

The double bottom-ager was a constant feature in thwarting opposition attacks, providing nice rebound and holding a high line to impact up the ground. She took a number of intercept marks and looked to switch or put the ball into a more damaging spot. Bilyk’s second efforts were a feature of her game, and when given time or space she had a high impact-per-possession with her work.

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

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Started the day off right in the ninth minute with a classy running goal that came after an earlier flying shot went out on the full. Her attempts were a mix of hit and miss, but she just continually got to the right spots to either clunk a good mark or apply pressure at ground level. She set up a number of goalscoring opportunities for her teammates and her first half in particular was huge. Overall made her presence felt in the win.

#32 Rebecca Clottey
Forward | 166cm | 05/05/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 3 inside 50s

Had a blistering start to the game in the forward half, setting up McKeegan for a first quarter goal and applied great tackling pressure. Defensive work is her bread and butter, and while her final polish could improve, she continues to work and her second, third and fourth efforts were important in locking the ball inside 50.

#38 Stella Huxtable
Midfielder/Forward | 170cm | 22/12/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 8 inside 50s, 2 goals

Best on ground in the win, the bottom-age Vic Country representative is often heavily defensively-focused, but while she only laid the one tackle, had far greater impact offensively. Finishing with a game-high 28 disposals, Huxtable also kicked two goals, one coming off a step and another from a set shot. Though her aerial strength and tackling pressure was not on display as is usually the case, she showed her other weapons in the game and was very impressive throughout the four quarters.

#51 Greea McKeegan
Forward | 15/12/2008 | 175cm

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles, 1 hitout, 3 goals, 2 behinds

The double bottom-age forward got on the end of Geelong’s inside 50 dominance, having five scoring shots and slotting three goals. She is a terrific overhead mark, but was equal third for tackles on teh ground which showed the defensive pressure she offered once the ball hit the deck. McKeegan is a developing tall, but has a lot of exciting traits for the future.