AN EXTENDED weekend of Coates Talent League action saw four Northern Academy sides join the competition, with three coming away victorious. We took note of some of the players who caught the eye across the eight Round 3 matches kicking off with a standalone Anzac Day clash.

>> ROUND 3: Round wrap | Player of the Week | Team of the Week

Sydney Swans Academy 11.8 (74) defeated Tasmania Devils 5.3 (33)

Swans Academy:

#1 Charlotte Tidemann
Defender | 169cm | 08/08/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

The talented bottom-ager was a standout coming from defence, taking the game on and looking to burst forward at every opportunity. She could be a little cleaner at ground level particularly at speed, but once she has the ball in her possession is clean and has the valuable trait of being able to lower the eyes rather than blaze away – for someone who possesses speed as explosive as hers – and use the ball well in transition. A standout Swans prospect for next year.

#7 Molly Thomas
Midfielder | 169cm | 22/04/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 8 tackles, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

The left-footed midfielder won the opening clearance out of the middle and found her way around the stoppages well. Her defensive pressure is great and she loves to wheel onto her trusty left when exiting a stoppage. Thomas has a nice first few steps which can create distance between her and her opponent, and if given any time and space can do a lot of damage.

#8 Grace Parsons
Key Forward | 180cm | 10/12/2007

Stats: 8 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 5 hitouts, 5 goals

If there was a ‘kick for your life’ in the competition, a safe choice might be Parsons who launched five majors from various distances and angles within the forward 50 and not only put them through, but the goal umpire would not have burnt many calories deliberating other than watching it go straight over their head. Her presence inside 50 and marking ability was great, and though she played on a smaller opponent, did exactly what you would hope for from a key forward.

#9 Lucinda Watson
Forward/Midfielder | 161cm | 25/11/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 1 clearance, 5 inside 50s

Watson is one of those players who does not need a lot of the ball to do damage forward of centre and is a facilitator between midfield and attack. Her vision and willingness to run and keep speed on the ball in transition was an eye-catching element of her performance. Her strength when tackled for a smaller player was a big tick, and she took a number of intercept marks as well, working into the defensive half to help out there too.

#16 Kiera Yerbury
Midfielder/Forward | 173cm | 24/07/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s

An athletic tall midfielder with great upside for the future, Yerbury adds a point of difference to a Swans Academy midfield. She can win her own ball and has outstanding competitiveness, but her traits lend themselves to Yerbury being a second-possession winner who can burst forward and compete both in the air and at ground level. She is still developing the precision with her kicking under pressure, but can put it to the right spots and her strength in any situation is key, as is her follow-up work and second and third efforts.

#24 Alex Neyland
Tall Forward | 178cm | 04/09/2007

Stats: 20 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 1 hitout, 7 inside 50s

It’s a big call, but Neyland might have the most upside in the AFLW Draft considering her lack of exposure at the level compared to others. She has not put a foot wrong in the last six months and her traits – elite athleticism and competitiveness – make her an ideal centre half-forward. She will fly for marks, but equally lay some big tackles at ground level, move like a smaller player and has great footy IQ to get into ball-winning spots. Neyland is the type of forward who could play centre half-forward and kick a bag from 25 or 30 touches at her best, but on this occasion was dishing it off to everyone else. Had a few ‘almost’ marks as well to go with her five.

#32 Madeleine Quinn
Ruck/Forward | 185cm | 10/02/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 25 hitouts, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

The National Academy member was simply too tall and experienced through the ruck and dominated that position to get first hands to it most of the time. Her 25 hitouts were more than the Devils’ total of 18, and she even spent time forward where she kicked a goal after using her height against fellow Academy member Bowering. Defensively she was strong and worked more into the game to get involved in transition through the second half after focusing on the initial contest in the first half.

Tasmania Devils:

#1 Mischa Barwin
Midfielder/Forward | 167cm | 04/12/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

The most influential Devil with her work going forward, Barwin reads the play exceptionally well and has slick hands to dish off quickly and get involved in one-twos or into space for the switch. She has an aggressive edge to her gamestyle and rotated forward when Bowering went back into the middle, clunking a good grab 13 minutes into the first term. She made no mistake from the set shot nearly had a second on the edge of three quarter time but was deemed to have played on as the siren sounded. An all-round strong first game for the National Academy member.

#4 Ava Read
Tall Defender/Forward | 179cm | 21/06/2006

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 6 clearances, 1 inside 50, 5 rebound 50s, 2 goals

It was a somewhat jarring experience at first to see a player so accustomed to booting bags of goals at the other end to playing deep in defence. However Read did show she has that untapped versatility, and then won a number of clearances at defensive stoppages. She often just cleared for distance coming out of the back half, but was strong in the air and played the percentages. In the final term, Read was thrown forward where she kicked two and passed one off unselfishly to Lucy Thompson.

#9 Mia Anderson
Midfielder | 171cm | 14/02/2007

Stats: 30 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

A quintessential inside midfielder, Anderson had the ball on a string and cracked in to every contest. She uses her frame around the coalface well and can impact both offensively and defensively. Her kicking efficiency is an area of improvement, but the top-ager is winning the bulk of her touches under immense pressure with a ridiculous 10 hardball gets – six more than the next player on her team – and her work rate is enormous.

#11 Lucah Conkie
Defender | 167cm | 06/09/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

The top-age defender just continues to show signs here and there, taking a strong intercept mark early and continued to drive the ball from the back 50 and add some speed in transition. She is composed with ball in hand and is not afraid to switch it, with her short kicking particularly precise. Does her best work when she can get-and-go from half-back down the field.

#15 Priya Bowering
Forward/Midfielder | 169cm | 02/01/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The decorated inside midfielder tried out a secondary role up forward, which is an area she has spent time in at different points. On the day she was more of a forward who pinch-hit in midfield, and when doing the latter, almost immediately won the centre clearance. Hard to beat in the air, it was unfortunate Bowering kept coming up against Quinn, some 16cm taller than her, but she always acquitted herself well. Her last play was early in the fourth when she timed a spoil from a nice leap but landed awkwardly and limped off.

#26 Harriet Bingley
Midfielder | 174cm | 23/03/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Gained valuable midfield time with Bowering up forward, and Bingley was able to team up with Anderson as a bigger body around the coalface. She would often flick off a handball under pressure and when given any time or space can hit her kicks down the ground. A thumping roost of the ball, Bingley was handy without being outstanding, but played what was expected of her role.

Gold Coast Suns Academy 4.5 (29) defeated by Dandenong Stingrays 5.6 (36)

SUNS Academy:

#6 Sunny Lappin
Forward | 170cm | 28/11/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 7 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

With the Suns missing some of the classy movers either pre-game (Ava Usher) or early in the match (Alannah Welsh), Lappin got the opportunity to stand up and play a key role. She started the season with Southport in fine form, and carried that into the Talent League as that high half-forward. She kicked a great goal in the third term with a terrific finish, and set up a few other scoring opportunities. The Carlton and St Kilda father-daughter prospect has lightning clean hands and great footy smarts that enable her to get into ball-winning positions. A predominant outside player.

#13 Rhianna Ingram
Defender | 167cm | 20/10/2007

Stats: 27 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 12 rebound 50s

Defended bravely across four quarters, Ingram had about 10 of her rebound 50s in the second half with the Stingrays getting firmly on top of the contest. She provided drive from the back half and was tasked with some of the kickouts, while being a switch option for her fellow defenders to drive the ball down the ground. Did her chances of making the Queensland squad no harm with a game-high 27 disposals and 12 rebound 50s.

#17 Bronte Parker
Midfielder | 171cm | 19/01/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 7 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The standout inside midfielder from the Suns, Parker crashed and bashed her way to seven clearances, almost half of her side’s total. She played the way that many have come to expect from the tough onballer, providing vital extraction work from the inside, but also getting into space when required to be another option going forward. Has the capacity to be a target inside 50 with great strength overhead too. Refining her precision kicking further, but has a long kick and is clean with her hands.

#23 Mikayla Nurse
Wing | 168cm | 19/09/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s

Will likely fly under the radar a touch in 2025 given the strength and top-end quality of the Suns Academy, but Nurse has claims in her own right with some eye-catching traits. Her long, looping handballs from congestion to a teammate on the move are so well timed and she competes in the air against bigger opponents when required. Played a hard-running role on the outside and won the ball in each third of the ground.

#31 Georja Davies
Midfielder/Ruck | 185cm | 17/01/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 5 hitouts, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

It would have been a somewhat frustrating day for Davies who tried her heart out playing on-ball, but the Stingrays midfielders were centrally focused on her and not giving the towering utility an inch. She conceded seven free kicks for the match – often through being caught as she tried to burst away – but still managed to influence the game. She ran hard, showed some of her evasive sidestep and the moment she got any space, broke away down the field.

Dandenong Stingrays:

#1 Evelyn Connolly
Forward/Midfielder | 169cm | 26/05/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals, 3 behinds

Continued her early season form to kick a couple of goals in the second half which were just rewards for hard running not only inside 50, but further afield as well. Connolly used the ball going inside 50 with precision and missed an opportunity early int he second term, before being spotted in defence where she danced through traffic. Could have added to her two majors with another quick snap around her body late in the match, but her forward craft and footy IQ shone against quality opponents.

#4 Tahlia Sanger
Midfielder | 167cm | 18/08/2006

Stats: 26 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles, 8 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Returning from a standout performance for Collingwood’s VFLW side, Sanger got back to business in Stingrays’ colours and was the most influential inside midfielder for the winners. She applied pressure, won the ball in a variety of ways and transitioned from the inside to outside seamlessly. Sanger laid a goal-saving tackle in the second term with a brilliant run-down as a Suns Academy member streamed into goal.

#5 Mizuki Brothwell
Defender/Midfielder | 175cm | 22/10/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 8 tackles, 7 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

It is evident that a midfield role in the future beckons for Brothwell who has been gaining more minutes through there the last two rounds. A natural intercepting defender, the National Academy member plays high and holds a strong line, but can go into the middle and hold her own against more experienced onballers. She also had a fantastic run-down tackle on the wing and she lowers the eyes going inside 50 with her kicking a major improvement over the last 18 months to be somewhat of a real weapon for her.

#9 Nalu Brothwell
Forward | 174cm | 22/10/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 7 marks, 5 tackles, 1 hitout, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

One of the best Stingrays on the day, Brothwell’s form this season shows she is right up there alongside her sister as some of the most talented players with upside. She works hard inside 50, is not afraid to get her hands dirty at ground level, but is such a strong mark in the air. She kicked a goal from spotting an open goalsquare in the first term, and then kicked another from long-range after marking on the lead. Brothwell finds space and her leading patterns are crucial to aiding her game.

#11 Scarlett Marsh
Defender | 162cm | 03/04/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 1 mark, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Marsh was worth a mention despite less touches than the others, because of her composure and ball use in defence. She has a lovely pinpoint short pass and can weight her kicks so well. Having impressed as an Under 16s talent last year, she is continuing that development in 2025 as a bottom-ager and her vision and execution also stands out. Not a massive ball-winner but rarely wastes it.

GWV Rebels 9.11 (65) defeated Calder Cannons 1.1 (7)

By: Erin Piez

GWV Rebels:

#7 Maggie Johnstone
Midfielder | 171cm | 06/06/2007

Stats: 29 disposals, 7 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 2 goals

Johnstone was consistently involved through the middle, displaying impressive footy IQ and work rate. Early in the game, she created a goal from an excellent intercept, smooth handball, and smart positioning, immediately impacting the contest. Her ability to stay active around stoppages and present as an option made her a key transition link. Johnstone’s contested work stood out, with multiple intercept marks and clearances through heavy traffic, showing strength and balance under pressure. Her defensive efforts were equally strong, applying chasing pressure and clearing kicks under physical threat. She capped her performance with a composed mark inside 50 and slotted a goal, showcasing her ability to push forward effectively. Johnstone was consistently one of GWV’s best, influencing both offensively and defensively with smart ball use and relentless effort.

#9 Jovie Skewes-Clinton
Forward/Defender | 176cm | 15/11/2007

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 5 goals, 2 behinds

Skewes-Clinton was a constant threat on field, combining excellent positioning with fierce follow-up work. She consistently got herself into smart spots around the contest, with early plays showing her ability to collect under pressure and clear the ball to advantage. Her first-half performance in defence was one to watch as she moved the ball expertly out of her defensive 50 and continuously laid great tackles. In the second half, she applied outstanding forward pressure, chasing down loose balls and opponents to create scoring opportunities. Her highlight reel included a hard-fought snap goal after beating her opponent to the ball and maintaining composure under pressure. Skewes-Clinton showed elite second efforts, pressuring opponents, gathering loose balls, and driving forward. Her relentless running, physicality around stoppages, and ability to shine defensively and in the forward half made her a standout performer for GWV.

#17 Milly Shortal
Midfielder | 175cm | 24/06/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 8 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

Shortal had an energetic game, working hard both ways. She won the ball cleanly from stoppages and made strong attacking runs. She cemented her performance by delivering a standout goal on the run after slicing through traffic with composure and speed. A classy left-footer who did a lot of the grunt work out of the middle.

#35 Alexandra Oldaker
Defender | 165cm | 08/11/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Oldaker impressed with several strong intercept marks and clean pickups under pressure. She used the ball well when clearing and showed great composure to steady defensive plays when her side needed it most. Has a booming kick and can play either half-back or the wing which showcases her versatility.

Calder Cannons:

#3 Chloe Baker-West
Midfielder/Defender | 165cm | 02/02/2007

Stats: 36 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles, 8 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 14 rebound 50s

Baker-West brought a high work rate and sharp decision making across the ground, particularly excelling around the ruck contests. She routinely sharked loose balls from stoppages and displayed strong evasive ability, regularly creating time and space with quick thinking and precise ball use. Her handballs under pressure consistently released teammates into space, and she supported plays with intelligent runs forward. Baker-West also showed good forward drive, collecting and distributing inside 50 on multiple occasions. Her pressure work was notable, including multiple chases and tackles that slowed opposition ball movement. A smart, dynamic defensive performance that saw her heavily involved in transition and critical in Calder’s link-up play.

#15 Shauna McElligott
Forward/Midfielder | 162cm | 05/03/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 3 clearances 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

McElligott’s physicality and energy inside 50 created several scoring opportunities. Her ability to present in space, win the ball under pressure, and chase down opponents stood out, with several tackles and pressure acts leading to turnovers. Her performance was capped off by scoring her side’s only goal after making a great supportive run to receive the handball and smash through with ease.

Murray Bushrangers 2.3 (15) defeated by GWS Giants Academy 13.11 (89)

Murray Bushrangers:

#3 Rain Dodd
Midfielder/Forward | 165cm | 13/01/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

A high-pressure player, the older of the Dodd sisters was able to rotate between midfield and attack, but wherever she went, Dodd applied terrific defensive pressure. She at times rushed and turned the ball over, but her second and third efforts stand out, and she is not afraid to take the game one as she did late in quarter three when she won the ball at half-back and took a bounce going long down the line. Kicked a goal from point-blank range in the fourth to add her name to the goalkicker’s list.

#5 Molly McLaren
Defender | 163cm | 13/12/2007

Stats: 9 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

Has settled into life as a defender as she builds back to her best and McLaren remains a key leader in the Bushies’ defensive half. She goes in hard, has high-level competitiveness and is clean off the deck by hand. Her run-down tackle on the wing midway through the third term exemplified what she offers and her strength over the ball makes her hard to move for a smaller player. Was pinged for a deliberate rushed behind in the first term which was the intent, but still a touch stiff.

#10 Sophia Green
Defender/Midfielder | 169cm | 22/11/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 7 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Started in defence and moved into the midfield at times, Green impacted across both lines. She loves to create her own space by backing back a few steps and and then delivering even if off balance. At times she can throw the ball on the boot or do a touch too much, but can rack up the ball consistently, and defensively she is top notch.

#23 Madison Ibrahim
Midfielder/Defender | 173cm | 12/12/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 1 mark, 8 tackles, 4 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

A standout for the Bushies, the over-age Ibrahim adds some electrifying pace to the side and she won the first clearance out of the middle starting on-ball. She naturally peels back behind the ball but has the capacity to get forward and hit the scoreboard as she did in Round 2, though most of her best work against the Giants was between the arcs. Ibrahim’s best play was a centre clearance late in the first half to hit up Jerrah Caruso in front then ran forward to receive it back but the kick just fell short of her.

#39 Skylah McPherson
Forward | 169cm | 22/01/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 9 tackles, 1 clearance, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Another bottom-ager who held her own throughout the match, McPherson played her best game of the year working hard as a high half-forward and working up the ground. Her defensive pressure was exceptional and her hands through traffic under pressure also caught the eye. Still developing areas of her game, McPherson showed promise for the future.

GIANTS Academy:

#5 Amelie Prosser-Shaw
Defender | 175cm | 14/11/2006

Stats: 22 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 5 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Providing a steady head in the back half, Prosser-Shaw played her usual game of bursting from defence and using the ball well in transition. Her vision is terrific and and while at times she can run into trouble – such as getting caught or put herself under pressure – she gets into nice positions to transition the ball and even switch when applicable. Was one of the better Giants on the day and remains a genuine over-age draft chance.

#19 Ellie Hall
Defender/Midfielder | 174cm | 07/07/2006

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

Another over-ager who returned to the Giants, Hall also played in the back half of the ground then went into the middle. She was fierce defensively and able to extract the ball out of congestion to the outside well, while taking some reliving marks just in the knick of time. Hall is a proficient user by hand or foot and that showed in the match when she was able to run at 74 per cent efficiency despite still maintaining a 50 per cent contested possession rate.

#22 Darcie Prosser-Shaw
Defender | 171cm | 02/06/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The younger of the Prosser-Shaw siblings in the match, Darcie often paired up well with Amelie coming out of defence. A bottom-age prospect who starred at the Under 16s Championships in 2024, Prosser-Shaw has great closing speed in a marking contest and provides the same offensive run and carry as her sister. A lovely sidestep and a lethal user by foot, Prosser-Shaw is a top talent for the 2026 AFLW Draft.

#25 Majella Day
Tall Forward | 176cm | 11/03/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 7 marks, 2 tackles, 2 hitouts, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 4 goals, 1 behind

Given Day has played many games with Murray, the bottom-ager gained some valuable bragging rights when running out for the Giants, booting four snags, narrowly missing another attempt and then setting up a couple of other chances. Her set shot routine was consistent, and her hands on the lead stand out. She worked hard running further afield but always got back to provide a target closer to goal.

#30 Morgan Stevens
Tall Defender | 177cm | 13/08/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Really wanted to highlight the impact of Stevens when defenders without massive numbers can often go unappreciated. Stevens played her role to at with a well-timed spoil early, then took a strong intercept mark and continued to mop up behind the ball throughout the game. While strong to compete on bigger players, Stevens has the mobility to take on smaller opponents as well and can play other roles too.

#36 Isla Wiencke
Midfielder/Forward | 174cm | 30/03/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

The National Academy member played her typical inside role while providing a target up forward and without dominating just kept contributing to the team’s efforts. She brought others into the game and was strong around the coalface, while booting a goal from point-blank range after winning a high free kick and then receiving a 50m penalty for not receiving the ball back. Her strength and ability to get her hands free when tackled are some of her standout traits.

Bendigo Pioneers 4.0 (24) defeated by Northern Knights 14.13 (97)

Bendigo Pioneers:

#1 Georgia Garlick
Forward | 169cm | 01/07/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

A lively bottom-ager who competes well in the air and finds space consistently. The link-up player often at half-forward and tasked with picking out targets inside 50, Garlick was a little hit and miss doing just that, but also felt the wrath of pressure coming from a really strong defensive outfit. She has that touch of class with a penetrating left foot kick and did set up a goal midway through the third term. Her technique by foot is very good and being a left-footer can drive the ball at angles that favour her forwards.

#4 Sage Dennis
Forward/Midfielder | 160cm | 22/08/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 rebound 50

Making her Coates Talent League Girls debut coming off an impressive Under 16s national carnival with Vic Country, it was always going to be a quick rise into the Under 18s Pioneers for the 15-year-old who has the poise and flexibility to play across any of the three lines. Dennis was thrown on-ball during the third term after playing forward, and while a challenge for the smaller Pioneers talent, she acquitted herself and won a few clearances off her own bat.

#14 Lacey Nihill
Midfielder | 172cm | 01/05/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 marks, 9 tackles, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The best Pioneer on the day, Nihill projects as a classy player for 2026. With Olivia Lacy returning to the side, Nihill would have been rotating more forward, but after the unfortunate early injury to the aforementioned Lacy, Nihill spent the bulk of her time on-ball and stood up in her teammate’s absence. She can impact on the outside going forward, but also cracks in and gets her hands dirty on the defensive end. Will be one to watch over the next 18 months.

Northern Knights:

#1 Olivia Gorman
Midfielder | 168cm | 25/10/2007

Stats: 26 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 8 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 goals

Had herself a game and lead the charge for the Knights through the midfield then snuck forward to boot a couple of goals in the second and fourth quarters respectively. Her first came off a handball receive not breaking stride while the other was a touch of skill and a bit of luck when throwing it on the boot running through a stoppage under pressure. Gorman covered the ground exceptionally well and used it cleanly by hand, with the contested traits her strengths.

#3 Marlo Graham
Midfielder/Forward | 163cm | 15/11/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals, 3 behinds

Returned to the lineup after missing Round 2 and was influential with a couple of goals and a splattering of shots on goal. The natural leader has a fast few steps to breakaway from opponents, sidesteps others with ease and can hit the scoreboard consistently while rotating between midfield and attack. Her contest-to-contest work and competitive nature are a couple of standout traits and her handballing through traffic is a unique strength.

#7 Scarlett Johnson
Defender | 175cm | 26/11/2007

Stats: 23 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 5 inside 50s

Enjoying a really consistent season behind the ball and in such a big win, was able to play her offensive game that shines. She uses the ball well by foot, is a strong aerialist and can win it in all thirds of the ground. Importantly, Johnson is not afraid to take the riskier options given her long kicking and took a great intercept mark over the top of the smaller Dennis late in the third term that just fell short from 45m but was booted through by a teammate.

#8 Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb
Ruck/Forward | 181cm | 27/07/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 30 hitouts, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50

Was too tall and athletic in the ruck, posting more hitouts than the Pioneers side (30-29), while giving her teammates first look at it around the stoppages, She uses her vertical jump effectively and is not afraid to get involved in transition via hand. Unlike most rucks, Hishongwa-Gibb presents as the modern day prototype who can act as that additional running player. Consistency and fundamentals will continue to develop, but her ruck craft is of a high level.

#19 Olivia Jesser
Forward | 168cm | 04/01/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 3 goals, 2 behinds

Had a purple patch last year where she was kicking goals for fun and Jesser did that again on the weekend. The Knights forward kicked three goals including one classy major when slightly off balance but still able to put it through the big sticks. She has great forward craft, can take a good grab or crumb at the feet of the taller players. Jesser’s defensive pressure for a general forward also stacks up.

#23 Phoebe Hargreaves
Forward | 161cm | 15/07/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 goals, 1 behind

After a quieter start to the season, Hargreaves stepped up for her best game of 2025 in Round 3, feasting with three majors and igniting her side early with two goals. Her first was bread and butter for her with a quick sidestep and goal off the outside of the boot, before converting a quick snap later in the quarter. Her third was a regulation soccer off the deck in the goalsquare, but the skipper still worked hard getting deep forward to get her boot to it. A dominant right footer, Hargreaves is not explosive but has an outstanding change of direction which helps her buy time and create space.

Western Jets 0.3 (3) defeated by Eastern Ranges 18.20 (128)

Western Jets:

#2 Addison West
Defender/Midfielder | 166cm | 16/05/2008

Stats: 10 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

It was a tough day out for the Jets but West projects as a bottom-ager with some upside for the future. A defence-first prospect who applies great pressure, she can win her share of clearances and matches up well on a variety of opponents. West is not afraid to take the game on and while the conditions did not suit that style, she showed her courage by going back with the flight in a marking contest to intercept at half-forward.

#30 Alex McBride-Loane
Defender | 174cm | 03/04/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 1 hitout, 4 rebound 50s

The top ball-winner from the Jets on the day, McBride-Loane was most often tasked with the kickouts which resulted in a kick-dominant ratio of 19 kicks to two handballs. While most of the time balls in her direction sailed over her head, she had a crack and tried to direct the backline when to switch and when to go down the line in what was a difficult day both for the conditions and the end result.

Eastern Ranges:

#3 Scout Semple
Forward/Midfielder | 163cm | 03/10/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 7 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 goal, 3 behinds

Was one of a number of Eastern players who gained valuable midfield minutes given the margin difference. She got her hands on the ball plenty around the stoppages and though a clever forward, is a midfielder-forward of the future. She kicked a goal early in the second term after being held in a marking contest then sprayed a few chances wide streaming inside 50. As a general rule of thumb though, Semple was able to impact the game with her metres gained and always looked to breakaway from her opponents.

#6 Tayla McMillan
Defender/Midfielder | 161cm | 25/05/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 4 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Started off half-back and rotated between there and on-ball, clearly craving getting her hands on the pill with the ball up the other end of the ground. She had a few eye-catching plays in the second term when streaming forward and using her deadly sidestep to full advantage. A quick handball to Jordyn Allen set up a goal in the same quarter and McMillan showed her full skill set in challenging conditions to be a valuable distributor.

#7 Bridie Neale
Wing/Forward | 166cm | 03/03/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Rotated between forward and the wing and got to cover plenty of ground with a few chances when inside 50. A clever dribbler from the boundary in wet conditions looked very classy early in the match and then sliced through traffic at half-forward late in the game to kick long inside 50 which was another one of her highlights. Got some more opportunities up the field in the game and held her own.

#12 Emily Rankin
Midfielder/Forward | 166cm | 11/05/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 7 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Yet another bottom-ager who took the reins in the middle as part of heavy rotations, Rankin found plenty of the pill close to the contest and was a fluent extractor on the inside. Her hard-running was rewarded through a nice goal on the run with the eye-catching arch of the back to explode from an opponent at the forward stoppage before putting it through the big sticks. Rankin covered the ground well, ran out the game effectively and set up a few teammates going inside 50. Was highly effective by hand or foot considering the contested-heavy nature.

#35 Brylee Anderson
Midfielder/Defender | 172cm | 25/03/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 8 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 behind

Anderson is one player who has had no trouble finding the ball this year and she did that again, albeit sharing it around. While the Vic Metro hub member and Under 16s MVP from last year did not have her trademark space she would love to utilise, Anderson did a lot of great work on the inside setting up her teammates to do just that. In an ideal work, running at a 50 per cent contested rate is a perfect balance for Anderson who is deadly when on the outside, while on this occasion she won 61 per cent at the coalface. Was a team-oriented performance.

#37 Josephine Bamford
Ruck/Forward | 182cm | 03/06/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 24 hitouts, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 goals, 2 behinds

Our pick for the best Ranges player just purely because of her all-round performance, Bamford starred as the best ruck on the ground, then went forward and kicked a higher score than anyone else as well. Her hands were good below her knees, she got involved, worked hard in transition and was great in the wet for a player of her size. She should have had one or two more goals to her name, but did kick a terrific first goal off a step from 40m out.

#54 Zoe Wilkinson
Midfielder/Forward | 170cm | 17/05/2007

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 5 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 goals

While Wilkinson is know for her inside work, it was her impact up forward that made her performance, converting two goals. Both came in the first quarter including one from a mark out of the middle, turned around and slotted it on the run. Wilkinson took a nice intercept mark in the middle and showed nice vision to hit a target at half-forward, and rotated back inside later in the game to win a nice clearance via hand.

Brisbane Lions Academy 12.7 (79) defeated Geelong Falcons 3.4 (22)

Lions Academy:

#1 Ameleia Murray
Defender | 163cm | 13/09/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

The Under 16s All-Australian made her debut for the Lions Academy Under 18s side and was one of the best in a starring role behind the ball. She not only quelled a stack of Geelong attacks, but provided important offensive drive as well. By three quarter time Murray had 19 disposals to her name and was on track to be the highest ball-winner, and while only having the one handball in the fourth term, was so crucial in her decision making for her teammates.

#8 Molly Ferguson
Midfielder | 165cm | 20/04/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s

A really promising midfielder for next year, Ferguson got her full-time moments on the inside after having to rotatate or pinch hit through there last season. Ferguson has that touch of class about her and she is clean by hand or foot, with her execution eye-catching. Able to win the ball against bigger bodies, she picks the right exits out of stoppages and is a nicely balanced inside-outside prospect who can impact in a multitude of ways.

#24 Edie Fraser
Forward | 174cm | 28/08/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 2 goals, 2 behinds

Another Under 16s All-Australian in the Lions’ side, Fraser wasted no time asserting herself as a double bottom-ager in the Lions side. She has elite footy IQ and forward craft to find space where few others can, and she set up her teammates on several occasions than slotted a couple herself and narrowly missed a couple more. Presents as one of those forwards who can do it all, be it in the air or at ground level, and impact both offensively and defensively.

#25 Harlee McIlwain
Tall Forward | 176cm | 07/04/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 2 hitouts, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 5 goals

A coming of age for McIlwain who has another season under her belt against older players and she made a mess of the Geelong defence early. By the midpoint of the second term she already had five goals on the board, then was moved further afield where she got her hands on it more often and was involved in transition. She has a great set of hands, and McIlwain showed at last year’s championships she can kick bags of goals – she booted 10 against the Suns – and now without another year of growing into her body, McIlwain looks a stronger forward and is ready to cause more than a few headaches.

#26 Aiyana Pritchard
Tall Forward | 175cm | 21/12/2008

Stats: 7 disposals, 3 marks, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 2 behinds

The surprise packet of the game, Pritchard earned a mention because she showed a few promising signs sharing a forwardline with some noted goalkickers. Booting two goals and working hard to get into the right spots, Pritchard contributed to the team with her forward craft and work up the ground. A late year born bottom-ager so will only continue to improve from here.

Geelong Falcons:

#9 Georgia Tyrrell
Midfielder | 168cm | 04/08/2007

Stats: 28 disposals, 2 marks, 13 tackles, 7 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

It was a real captain’s performance from Tyrrell who was clearly best afield for her side in an enormous inside effort. She racked up game-highs in disposals, tackles and clearances which indicates just how hard she worked to try and get her team into the game. A courageous player who thrives on the hardball, Tyrrell can tidy up her precision under pressure, but her ability to release by hand or lay bone-crunching tackles is what stands out in her game.

#12 Meg Lappin
Forward/Ruck | 180cm | 21/09/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 1 tackle, 19 hitouts, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 behind

It was a semi-strange feeling to see the Brisbane father-daughter prospect playing against her the club she is tied to through father Nigel, but both Meg and sister Ally were among the better Falcons on the day. She started forward then moved into the ruck where she used her athleticism and strength to take control through the ruck and get the ball moving forward. Though it meant Geelong lacked that more experienced tall inside 50, she at least started to get first hands to it for the Falcons and the game did turn in the third term.