DYNAMIC Dandenong Stingrays bottom-ager Alice Cunnington is our latest Coates Talent League Girls Player of the Week after a dominant six-goal display in the absence of some key teammates during her side’s big win over Bendigo Pioneers. Cunnington and Geelong Falcons’ Greea McKeegan – who booted five against the Cannons – were the two in contention, but Cunnington being the standout player on the ground was the tipping point.

Cunnington finished with 16 disposals, eight marks and six goals – as well as two behinds – running at 75 per cent disposal efficiency. She was on the board within the first minute of the match with a behind and just 94 second in, had a goal to her name. She would kick 3.2 in the first quarter alone, before another two in quarter three, and a third one at the start of quarter four, standing up in the Stingrays’ massive 71-point victory over the Pioneers.

Dandenong was missing a trio of stars to the National Academy and All Stars clash with forwards Nalu Brothwell and Eve Connolly – who would normally share the goals around too – absent from the Dandenong front six. Cunnington was one of three multiple goalkickers in the game, with Kiara Triep (three goals) and Lily Snow (two) both finishing with multiple majors.

Given Geelong skipper Georgia Tyrrell (38 disposals, three marks, seven tackles, eight clearances, four inside 50s and three rebound 50s) was ineligible after earning the award in Round 6, it meant her fellow star on the day in McKeegan was next in line, with the Falcons forward starring thanks to 20 touches, four marks, five tackles, five hitouts and 5.4 for her troubles. She was the next best in proceedings across a round where there were plenty of top-agers missing.

There were not a heap of stat-stuffing performances compared to other rounds due to the inclement weather, but Gippsland Power’s Rebecca Fitzpatrick (26 disposals, three marks, two tackles, dive clearances and a goal) was impressive in her side’s triumph over Northern Knights. Likewise, Tasmanian utility Ava Read shone during the Devils’ win in at Dial Park’s swimming pool, finishing with 27 disposals, four marks, three clearances, four inside 50s and nine rebound 50s against the Murray Bushrangers.

2025 COATES TALENT LEAGUE GIRLS PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Round 1 – Bailee Martin (Oakleigh Chargers)
Round 2 – Isabella Davies (GWV Rebels)
Round 3 – Jovie Skewes-Clinton (GWV Rebels)
Round 4 – Ava Deszcz (Gippsland Power)
Round 5 – Chloe Baker-West (Calder Cannons)
Round 6 – Georgia Tyrrell (Geelong Falcons)
Round 7/8 – Brylee Anderson (Eastern Ranges)
Round 9 – Alice Cunnington (Dandenong Stingrays)