BRISBANE Lions Academy will conclude its four-game Coates Talent League Girls stint against the Oakleigh Chargers tomorrow, joining the Gold Coast Suns Academy and GWS Giants Academy as Northern Academies wrapping after a strong month of action.

It is another blockbuster eight-game round taking place throughout the Talent League, with a lot of double-header action with the boys. One such game is the Lions Academy and Chargers at Windy Hill on Sunday which we preview in more detail.

NEED TO KNOW

WHEN: Sunday May 18, 1:00pm
WHERE: Windy Hill
WATCH: Live stream via KommunityTV

IN A NUTSHELL

Brisbane Lions Academy suffered its first loss at the hands of Eastern Ranges last weekend up at Sandgate, and will now take on the only side to have beaten the Ranges this season, the Oakleigh Chargers. The Chargers are yet to lose and defeated the Lions’ Queensland rivals the Suns Academy, and continue to go from strength to strength on the road to a third flag chase.

TEAMS

Oakleigh Chargers:

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS
1    Grace To
2    Chloe Thorn (c)
4    Zara Neuwirth
6    Leni Lockyer
7    Emily Rundle
9    Chloe Bown (vc)
10    Eliza Klein
11    Isabella Mazzei
13    Zoe Curry (dvc)
14    Chloe Potts
15    Lara Brown
18    Bailee Martin
21    Amelie Gladman
23    Ava Philpin
26    Teagan Murtic
27    Poppy Lawrance
32    Scarlett Bown
33    Storm Johnson
34    Tatyana Perry
46    Molly Phillips
47    Elizabeth Wotherspoon
50    Cleo Barbakas
63    Lucy Edwards
30    Grace Sharkie (emg)
53    Ruby Douglas (emg)

Brisbane Lions Academy:

1    Ameleia Murray
2    Jules Martin
4    Zoe Petrides
7    Maya Bovalino
8    Molly Ferguson
11    Sienna Wilson
12    Stella Scott
13    Jemma Foley
14    Kaiya Hides
15    Sophie Schulze
17    Annabel Peacock
18    Freya Ross
19    Mia Geere
20    Neva Bell
22    Francesca Davy
23    Ayla Airdrie
24    Edie Fraser
25    Harlee McIlwain
26    Aiyana Pritchard
27    Isabella McDonough
28    Niamh McCarthy
30    Jade Brazier
32    Monique Corrigan
Lillie Thirkill (emg)
Lyla Harrison (emg)

ONES TO WATCH

The key to knocking off Oakleigh has plenty of requirements, but the two names that will be undoubtedly circled on the Lions Academy’s whiteboard are Bailee Martin and Chloe Bown. Both potential top Victorian picks over the next two years, Martin is simply dominating in front of goal with her second four-goal haul last week adding to her 16 goals across the other two matches. To be 11 goals clear of the next best forward is bonkers, and the Lions defence will need a Plan A, B and C in that regard.

Bown is the quintessential modern day midfielder who can do it all and go forward to either hit the scoreboard or set her teammates up. An incredible booming kick on both sides of her body, she can burst from the stoppage, use her taller 173cm frame to win it in the air or at ground level and cover the ground exceptionally well. She had a ‘down’ week last round and still racked up 24 disposals, five marks and seven inside 50s to be one of the better players on the ground still.

The Lions top talent is primarily of a younger core, with the marking talent of Harlee McIlwain potentially the closest rival to Martin in next year’s draft crop when it comes to key forwards. She can do it all which is what is so exciting, with her marking and set shot conversion obviously a huge tick, but her defensive pressure for a key forward really stands out. Alongside the incredibly raw yet talented Aiyana Pritchard and elite footy IQ medium forward Edie Fraser, made no mistake the Lions can equally test the Chargers’ defence.

From a top-age perspective, recruiters will get a first look at ruck Monique Corrigan in Lions colours this year, largely considered the top prospect from the Brisbane Academy in 2025. She has the athleticism and upside to pose some problems through the mdidle and get first hands to the likes of Molly Ferguson and Mia Geere. Another top-age draft prospect is defender Jemma Foley who has strung together a couple of consistent performances, and alongside Under 16s MVP Ameleia Murray will provide run out of defence.

For AFLW clubs looking for an available option now, the incredibly versatile Kaiya Hides reminded recruiters what she can do last week with a best on ground performance for the Lions. She is the one in that regard for her side, while for the Chargers, former National Academy member Tatyana Perry in defence, and crafty forward Amelie Gladman were a couple in the mix last year who are playing their role in 2025.

PREDICTION

Oakleigh Chargers have the experience edge and are a ‘winner’ in the sense that even when down they just find a way to pull off a remarkable victory. That is what has made them so strong over the last few years, the most recent being that come-from-behind stunner against the Ranges earlier this season. The Lions Academy key is winning it out of the middle and giving their forwards a chance as if they can win the clearances and inside 50s, then it should give that potent front six more than enough chances to do damage. However if the Chargers get on top in those areas, then the like of Martin could be in for another big day.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The round kicks off and ends at Windy Hill with the GWS Giants Academy taking on the Western Jets in the first match of Round 6. With pouring rain on and off throughout the morning predicted, it will make for some tough viewing. Isla Wiencke will love the conditions considering her contested ball-winning nature, while Majella Day is coming off a six-goal haul and could go ahead-to-head with the Jets’ top-age draft prospect Alex McBride-Loane.

The other Saturday game takes place across town at Box Hill City Oval where the rampaging Ranges are slowly ticking off Northern Academy scalps. Following wins over both Queensland Academies, they now take on the unbeaten Sydney Swans Academy, who have the height inside 50 of Alex Neyland and Grace Parsons to worry the home side. Eastern just have so much depth through the middle and all over the ground with Tayla McMillan and Jordyn Allen both in ripping form.

On the border, Bendigo Pioneers welcome GWV Rebels for a special clash at Swan Hill. The Pioneers are yet to pick up a victory in season 2025, and though they had a competitive outing against Calder Cannons last week, face a GWV Rebels side smarting from a loss to the Swans Academy. Pioneers tall Ava Bibby was simply sensational in the loss last round, while Isabella Davies has not put a foot wrong all season. It is good to see talented bottom-ager Milly Shortal return for the Rebels in the clash.

Running at the same 10am timeslot down on the Apple Isle, Tasmania Devils play host to Geelong Falcons at North Hobart Oval. The Devils are 0-3 for the season, though finally play a Victorian team which might help their familiarity and cause to get on the board in season 2025. Priya Bowering and Matilda Lange are a master and apprentice duo on the inside for the Devils and the potential head-to-heads against Stella Huxtable – coming off a 35-disposal game against Gippsland Power – and Georgia Tyrrell are tantalising propositions.

Back in Victoria, the Northern Knights take on a severely depleted Gold Coast Suns Academy who come to the end of the four-game stint with just one of its four National Academy members and one of its All-Stars players available. A suspension to Georja Davies last week meant she joins Ava Usher, Dekota Baron and Bronte Parker (all injured) on the sidelines, which makes the role of utility Alannah Welsh and intriguing one. We have seen outside ball-winner Sunny Lappin move inside last week, and Welsh has been kicking goals but could be a candidate to move around. The Knights midfield is a strong one, though are minus Marlo Graham and Olivia Gorman who were great form, while Scarlett Johnson has been consistent every week from half-back and the wing and has the chance to step up.

Gippsland Power and Calder Cannons have met halfway in Dandenong for their Round 6 clash as the Power look to make it three on the trot following wins over Western Jets and Geelong Falcons, while the Cannons got past Bendigo Pioneers last week to also make it two wins in season 2025 following a tight victory over the Jets in round 1. Chloe Baker-West is running hot for the Cannons as expected, while Shauna McElligott is proving a valuable player in the forward half. Gippsland’s Abby Hobson and Ava Deszcz have both had their big games at times this season.

Concluding the weekend and running simultaneously to the Chargers-Lions Academy clash is Murray Bushrangers’ home fixture against the Sandringham Dragons at Deakin Reserve in Shepparton. The Bushrangers started the season strong but have found tougher opponents the last fortnight, while the Dragons produced a remarkable performance against a Dandenong Stingrays side last week and had every chance to win. Rose Bell up forward is a key for teh Bushrangers, while Nikhita Spiteri and Dragons midfielder Macy Watkins are both profound tacklers and could go head-to-head. Watch for Sandringham excitement machine Maya Duane who is coming off a three-goal game last round.

ROUND 5 FIXTURE

Tips in Bold.

Saturday, May 17:

Western Jets vs. GWS Giants Academy
Windy Hill | 10:30am

Eastern Ranges vs. Sydney Swans Academy
Box Hill City Oval | 10:45am

Sunday, May 18:

Tasmania Devils vs. Geelong Falcons
North Hobart | 10:00am

Bendigo Pioneers vs. GWV Rebels
Swan Hill Showgrounds | 10:00am

Northern Knights vs. Gold Coast Suns Academy
Genis Steel Oval | 10:30am

Gippsland Power vs. Calder Cannons
Shepley Oval | 11:30am

Oakleigh Chargers vs. Brisbane Lions Academy
Windy Hill | 1:00pm

Murray Bushrangers vs. Sandringham Dragons
Deakin Reserve | 1:00pm

Bye: Dandenong Stingrays

Season Tips: 25/34