ACTING Calder Cannons co-skipper and potential Top 10 draft prospect Chloe Baker-West has been named for her return game from injury in her side’s home clash against Sandringham Dragons tomorrow morning. The Cannons has a bye in Round 11 – like most sides – and are hoping to turnaround a four-game losing streak up against a Dragons side that has now won four on the bounce as part of a smaller Coates Talent League Girls Round 12.

NEED TO KNOW

Venue: Highgate Recreation Reserve
Date: Saturday, June 28
Time: 10:00am

KEY PLAYERS

Calder Cannons

Baker-West is a massive inclusion with the Cannons vice-captain now acting captain – given Jade McLay‘s season-ending shoulder injury – having not played since copping a knee knock against Eastern Ranges early in the third term. She missed the second National Academy match and Vic Metro’s first-up win over South Australia, but all things going well should be available for Metro’s second match against Western Australia on Sunday week.

While Baker-West is the sole Metro representative, both Shauna McElligott – a dynamic and skilful forward/midfielder – and Taylah Gilcrist – a tall defender who has spent time up forward in recent weeks and is acting co-skipper with Baker-West – are a couple of other names who have impressed from a top-age perspective. The Cannons have some seriously talented Under 16s prospects coming through to keep tabs on over the course of the next two seasons with talls Coco Balmain and Holly Clough, as well as Tessa Berryman who have all impressed in recent weeks.

Sandringham Dragons

Sandringham will be without hardened midfielder Macy Watkins for the match, with tall forward and skipper Sienna Sharp returning from her Metro duties last round where she had a number of shots on goal and looked dangerous. In her absence, Cleo Phillips looked strong up forward, while Izabela Ignjic kicked a couple of majors and will welcome the return of Peggy Martin.

Bottom-ager Chloe Williams also impressed last round in the win over Tasmania Devils, while star Under 16s prospect Maya Duane was unstoppable, booting 2.2 from 23 touches and 10 marks between midfield and attack. Fellow 2009-born talent Claudia Kogler is another name to keep in mind for the coming years, while defender Isla Tucker has enjoyed a consistent season out of hte back half for the Dragons.

PREDICTION

Sandringham has the deeper side and should be able to get the job done despite being without Watkins. The loss of McLay certainly leaves a huge hole in the Cannons’ side, with Baker-West and McElligott both fantastic but the Cannons just needing that ultra-versatile key position player like the Cannons have with Sharp or even Williams. Their future is bright and their versatile talls will only get better, but the Dragons have more experience.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

The other Saturday game sees unbeaten Oakleigh Chargers take on the last placed metropolitan side in Western Jets which on paper looms as a one-sided contest. The Jets have had byes either side of a couple of stronger performances of late, knocking off Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels in Round 9, before falling short gallantly against Gippsland Power on the road.

The Chargers are resting some of their Vic Metro representatives in star midfielder Chloe Bown, competition leading goalkicker Bailee Martin and defenders Chloe Thorn and Zara Neuwirth given their hectic schedules, though inside midfielder Teagan Murtic will feature. Similarly, Western is minus its two Metro reps in Alex McBride-Loane and Kiara Boyd.

On Sunday, Geelong Falcons and Dandenong Stingrays face-off minus a host of top-end talents given Vic Country takes on Queensland tomorrow. The two sides will head out to West Oval Reserve for the clash. Across the Bass Strait, Tasmania Devils host another game on the Apple Isle, this time welcoming Eastern Ranges to North Hobart Oval.