COMPLETING the ultimate dream of going back-to-back, Oakleigh Chargers conclude out Coates Talent League Girls team reviews for 2024. The Chargers only lost one game all season – to the Gold Coast Suns Academy – and tasted the ultimate success for the second consecutive year, becoming the first team to achieve the feat in the competition.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

RECORD: 1st Overall | 1xt Metro | 13-1 | 297.3%
STREAK: WWWL | WW | WWWWW | | WWW

THE STORY:

From start until finish it was evident the Chargers were the team to beat, and while Gold Coast Suns Academy managed to catch them up north, no other side could get across the line. There were a couple of close calls particularly against Eastern Ranges and Northern Knights, but the proof is in the pudding and the Chargers were able to stand up and salute on the biggest stage.

THE HIGHLIGHT:

Obviously winning a premiership is the highlight of any season, so Oakleigh’s 18-point victory over Eastern Ranges was one to savour. The Chargers had to survive several fierce forward forays before keeping the Ranges at arms length to enjoy the memorable 5.7 (37) to 2.7 (19) victory. Skipper Sienna Tallariti won best on ground for the second successive year, racking up 24 disposals, six marks and 14 rebound 50s in the victory, thwarting plenty of opposition attacks.

THE STAR:

Unsurprisingly Oakleigh had plenty of stars throughout the course of the season, but the most consistent was Sarah Poustie who racked up 366 disposals at an average of 24.4 per game. Only Sierra Grieves, Sara Howley and Grace Belloni won more of the ball than Poustie, so the winger-turned-midfielder is certainly in strong company.

She also laid a whopping 156 tackles for the year – one behind competition leader Nikita Harris – at an average of 10.4 per game. Across her 15 matches, Poustie had 3.8 marks and 4.9 inside 50s, kicking three goals and only dipping below 20 touches in her last two finals, where she still had an impact at quelling others around the stoppages.

THE MAINSTAYS:

Though a collarbone injury threatened to curtail her season, Maggie Mahony returned to have an impact with 26 touches per game from 10 matches and finishing the year off with another premiership medallion. Tallariti was rock solid in defence, while Abbey Vicino move from midfield to attack proved fruitful, averaging 17.8 disposals, 3.6 tackles and kicking 11 goals from her 12 games.

AFLW Academy member Emma McDonald was a powerhouse up forward showing her marking ability to finish with 18 goals, one behind overall clubhouse leading and fellow Vic Metro representative Amelie Gladman. Wing/forward Jacinta Baxter had some terrific matches, while Charlotte Brewer was another Charger who added pace and dare to the lineup off half-back.

THE FUTURE:

Highlighted by midfielder Chloe Bown, the Chargers have a number of prospects for both the 2025 and 2026 AFLW Drafts to keep an eye on. Next year specifically, the likes of Bown and Chloe Thorn standout as key prospects who will likely play midfield. Vic Metro defender Zara Neuwirth is a raw tall who gained plenty of experience in 2024, while Teagan Murtic also played a key role at times through the midfield.

The 2008-born crop has star forward Bailee Martin as a top-end prospect, but also strong inside midfielder Zoe Curry, both of whom were sensational throughout the grand final. Dangerous small forward Grace To and running winger Isabelle Godfrey are other double bottom-agers who are promising talents in the making.