A SERIES of massive wins and introduction of the Northern Academies saw the Round 3 Coates Talent League Girls Team of the Week representatives spread out across 11 teams and five states or territories. The Queensland and NSW-ACT Academies made up 10 of the 24 players, while a further three Victorian sides – Dandenong Stingrays, Northern Knights and Eastern Ranges – each had a trio of representatives.

There were so many high powered goalkickers across the weekend that our Player of the Week in GWV Rebels’ Jovie Skewes-Clinton was named at centre half-back, with the utility playing the first half in defence, before being swung forward and turning the game with five second half goals. She captains the hypothetical side, with midfielder Chloe Baker-West also pushed to half-back following a league-high 36 disposals and 14 rebound 50s – as well as eight clearances – to be Calder’s sole representative.

The Northern Academies largely monopolised the front half of the ground with Swans duo Grace Parsons (five goals) and Alex Neyland providing great targets inside 50 for Sydney, while Giants Academy’s Majella Day and Lions Academy’s Harlee McIlwain (both five goals) were automatic entries as well. Dandenong Stingrays’ Nalu Brothwell slotted onto half-forward having played a key role in the win over the Suns Academy, while Olivia Jesser booted three in the Knights’ big win over Bendigo Pioneers.

In defence more Academy members pop up with Swans bottom-ager Charlotte Tidemann showcasing her explosiveness off half-back, while Under 16s All-Australian Ameleia Murray was a star in defence for her Lions Academy Under 18s debut. Also in defence was Rhianna Ingram who had a game-high 27 disposals and 12 rebound 50s for the Suns Academy against the Stingrays.

Rounding out the back 50 was last year’s competition leading goalkicker Ava Read who played a key role in defence before being thrown into attack and kicking a couple goals. Read was another sole representative with her side, as was Geelong Falcons midfielder Georgia Tyrrell, while GWV midfielder-forward Maggie Johnstone made it for a third straight week.

Through the midfield, over-age Stingray Tahlia Sanger was influential, while Northern’s Olivia Gorman and Scout Semple were both named on-ball and hit the scoreboard as well. Eastern ruck Josephine Bamford earned the starting spot in that role once again, while Suns Academy member and Carlton and St Kilda father-daughter prospect Sunny Lappin rounded out the starting side.

Looking to the bench, and Northern Academy members Bronte Parker and Amelie Prosser-Shaw both earned their spots, while Dandenong Stingrays’ Mizuki Brothwell joined her sister in the team and Metro duo Marlo Graham and Emily Rankin completed the lineup.

For Round 3, the chosen emergencies were Northern Knights’ Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb, Bendigo Pioneers’ Lacey Nihill and Swans Academy’s Kiera Yerbury.

2025 COATES TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS TEAM OF THE WEEK: ROUND 3

B: Rhianna Ingram (Suns Academy) – Ava Read (Tasmania Devils) – Ameleia Murray (Lions Academy)
HB: Charlotte Tidemann (Swans Academy) – Jovie Skewes-Clinton (GWV Rebels) (c) – Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons)
C: Sunny Lappin (Suns Academy) – Tahlia Sanger (Dandenong Stingrays) – Maggie Johnstone (GWV Rebels)
HF: Nalu Brothwell (Dandenong Stingrays) – Alex Neyland (Swans Academy) – Harlee McIlwain (Lions Academy)
F: Majella Day (Giants Academy) – Grace Parsons (Swans Academy) – Olivia Jesser (Northern Knights)
R: Josie Bamford (Eastern Ranges) – Olivia Gorman (Northern Knights) – Scout Semple (Eastern Ranges)
INT: Mizuki Brothwell (Dandenong Stingrays) – Marlo Graham (Northern Knights) – Bronte Parker (Suns Academy) – Amelie Prosser-Shaw (Giants Academy) – Emily Rankin (Eastern Ranges) – Georgia Tyrrell (Geelong Falcons)

EMG: Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb (Northern Knights) – Lacey Nihill (Bendigo Pioneers) – Kiera Yerbury (Swans Academy)