FOUR games took place across Round 12 of the Coates Talent League Girls, and while there were some key Vic Country and Metro players out, some returned from injury or stints out, and others went about their business as per usual. All notes are the opinion of the individual author, with a focus on Vic Metro trialists or non draft-eligible prospects.

>> ROUND 12: Round wrap

Calder Cannons:

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

Stats: 44 disposals, 7 marks, 5 tackles, 9 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 13 rebound 50s

Baker-West returned from injury like she had never left, producing a stat-stuffing performance in a clear best on ground effort. She was able to win the ball in all thirds of the ground and consistently got behind the ball to intercept and turn defence into offence. She set up the Cannons’ opening goal to Felicity Mahoney, and though often under pressure with her disposal, never let up and continued to be clean in the air or at ground level. A phenomenal effort considering the time she has missed due to injury.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 16 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 behind

While not able to hit the scoreboard this week, McElligott’s defensive pressure was red-hot throughout the game, not giving any opponent an inch on her way to laying 16 tackles. She was good out of the middle winning clearances, and gave her side ongoing chances to lock the ball in the front half with her fierce tackling at half-forward or around the coalface when further afield.

Sandringham Dragons:

#24 Claudia Kogler
Midfielder | 172cm | 03/04/2009

Stats: 27 disposals, 3 marks, 11 tackles, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

A talented double bottom-ager with great hands in closer, Kogler has a nice release with ball in hand, and though could have been a touch cleaner at ground level, worked hard with multiple defensive efforts. She won her own ball and stripped the opposition of it time and time again, with her multiple efforts on show when streaming forward in the first half but missing to the left from 40m. Kogler would earn her deserved goal with a clever finish on the move eight minutes into the final stanza.

#34 Peggy Martin
Forward | 170cm | 05/05/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals, 1 behind

Looked lively deep in attack, and though she missed a couple of early chances, was able to finish with two majors, both of which came in the fourth quarter. Her first was a quick snap off the boot which sailed home, then in the dying minutes used her body positioning well to mark in front and convert the set shot from 25m out straight in front. Applied some nice defensive pressure inside 50 as well.

#39 Chloe Williams
Wing | 175cm | 23/04/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 7 marks, 1 clearance, 7 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

Really showed an array of draftable traits in the match, working hard on the outside to transition the ball from the back half into the forward 50. She spread into space, became a switch option or wide target, then used her ability to wheel onto the left and look for 45-kicks to open up play. Covered the ground exceptionally well and has a nice balance of between being able to impact in the air and in possession chains as well.

#59 Maya Duane
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 16/03/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 3 hitouts, 4 clearances, 9 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Enjoying a really promising start to her Coates Talent League Girls career, the top 2009-born prospect was able to consistently put pressure on the Cannons’ defence with her booming right peg going forward. She kicked a nice goal in the second term then won a centre clearance shortly after, doing it all. For a tall she has such outstanding athleticism and lateral movement, slicing between opponents who can seemingly not lay a hand on her. Another impressive game.

Western Jets:

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

Stats: 21 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

It was not West’s most efficient outing, but the explosive bottom-ager essentially played full-time midfield after easing in from a starting wing role this season. She won the bulk of her touches under immense pressure, and while not having as much space as she would like, showed she can crack in and win the hardball and was not afraid to put her body on the line consistently. West also laid numerous tackles to lock the ball at the coalface.

#5 Tayla Olivieri
Midfielder | 159cm | 14/02/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 1 mark, 12 tackles, 9 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Olivieri is one midfielder no stranger to getting her hands dirty and she was a standout for the Jets in defence. Either fending off would-be tacklers or throwing it on the boot to clear it from congestion into space, the bottom-age midfielder is a real goer. Her polish is an area that can further improve, but Olivieri is one of those players teammates would love to suit up alongside given her determination and contested work leading by example.

Oakleigh Chargers:

#11 Isabella Mazzei
Midfielder | 170cm | 06/06/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Really think she is a touch underrated for what she offers in the midfield, with Mazzei having some exciting traits for next year. She is as clean as any player going around and has a great burst of speed that can get out of a stoppage consistently which was illustrated by her top 10 finish in the 20m sprint at the start of the year when she clocked a time of 3.21 seconds. Like a few in the game, can still get better with that final execution but there’s a lot to like and she can win the ball in a multitude of ways.

#26 Teagan Murtic
Midfielder | 169cm | 22/10/2007

Stats: 31 disposals, 5 marks, 9 tackles, 6 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The sole listed Vic Metro member in the match – not including training partners – Murtic went back to the level and showed why she had earned the honour. Racking up the ball with ease, she was everywhere around the ground and exhibited clean hands and great ground level play as always, but also found space on the outside. A traditional inside talent who is best known for her handball release to bring others into the game, Murtic worked hard to flow to the outside and be an option there too, disposing of the ball well down the ground.

#32 Scarlett Bown
Tall Forward | 178cm | 22/09/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 6 hitouts, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 3 behinds

The Under 16s Bown was a serious threat up forward for the Chargers in the match, providing an aerial focal point, while also having great recovery and second efforts. She kicked a couple of majors and even left some out there with shots on goal. Will likely be a future midfielder/forward similar to her sister, but showed that without Bailey Martin in the side, can take over that number one forward role.

#50 Cleo Barbakas
Key Position Utility | 182cm | 07/01/2009

Stats: 22 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 13 hitouts, 8 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 2 goals, 3 behinds

Our Rookie Me Central Player of the Week, Barbakas just did a little bit of everything around the ground. She can play ruck, forward, midfield, you name it. Has great athleticism for a tall and competes well both in the air and at ground level. Still has some fundamentals to work on, but finished the game strongly with two second half goals. An exciting prospect for the future who has come alive with the Chargers since coming in off the back of the National Development Championships.

Geelong Falcons:

#21 Ally Lappin
Tall Defender | 172cm | 21/09/2007

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 12 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 rebound 50s

While twin sister Meg was out of the side representing Vic Country, Ally took up a running half-back role where she was able to both challenge the Stingrays’ forwards in the air, and then use her athleticism to burst away and provide important run and carry. She showed quick hands when under pressure and great strength when confronted to fish off to teammates nearby. Arguably her most influential game of the year, laying 12 tackles as well.

#24 Alana Mulvahil
Midfielder | 163cm | 16/02/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 10 tackles, 7 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Stepped up around the ball in the absence of Georgia Tyrrell and Stella Huxtable, and showed that she can impact the game be it off a wing or around the coalface. Racking up a clearance more than every third disposal as well as laying 10 tackles, she attacked it hard and was relatively efficient with ball in hand. Mulvahil does have the capacity to use her field of vision to switch when required, though most of her possessions in this game were around the contest.

#26 Ava Bilyk
Forward/Midfielder | 167cm | 07/07/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals

The talented bottom-ager was one stiff not to make Vic Country’s final squad given her MVP-winning achievements last year. Playing forward, Bilyk kicked two goals in the second term to provide a spark for her side with one being a snap around her body and another running from the stoppage as she was dragged down. In a sour moment during Geelong’s win, the later saw Bilyk leg twisted under her and having to come off as the half-time siren sounded, not reappearing after that.

Dandenong Stingrays:

#3 Nikita Harris
Midfielder/Wing | 162cm | 01/01/2007

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

The tackling machine worked hard around the middle and was able to dispose of the ball exceptionally quickly when under pressure. She released by hand well and extracted it from the inside to outside, then got reward for effort early in the fourth term when kicking a nice goal out of nothing playing off a wing. Not afraid to take the game on as well.

#13 Indi Sherritt
Forward | 158cm | 02/06/2007

Stats: 31 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 7 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Racked the ball up around the ground and stood tall during the absence of a host of Vic Country teammates. She won the first centre clearance of the day and kept going from there, being the most prolific player on the ground from a numbers perspective. Given her increased contested work, her efficiency dropped, but Sherritt showed tenacious second and third efforts and battled hard throughout the four quarters.

#55 Lily Brittain
Wing | 163cm | 26/01/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s

The Under 16s jet played another eye-catching game off the wing and might have some of the best release hands to have come through the pathways. She flicks the ball on at the speed of light to the right spot each time, with he ability to sum up the situation and dish off before her opponent has reacted so well. Had a shot on goal from 35m out that pushed wide and fell short, but otherwise applied great defensive pressure and looked lively in the front half.

Tasmania Devils:

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals

Had a lively game up forward kicking two goals in bookended quarters from set shots in the pockets, but also worked up the ground and spent time around the ball. Barwin adds some evasion and nice lateral movement around the stoppages when in midfield, while also applying great defensive pressure and worrying opponents out of it. Has that X-factor which catches the eye and does well getting in front of opponents when inside 50 to lead into space.

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 8 clearances 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Returned from her Allies game to play a key role through the middle and rack up eight clearances from 16 touches with the Devils. A quintessential inside midfielder, Anderson just shows little bits and pieces on the outside as well, kicking another great long-range goal off an intercept mark late in the match. Strong over the ball and fierce as they come, playing a great team game.

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

Stats: 21 disposals, 7 marks, 5 tackles, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s

Looked hungry throughout the entire match, determined to win the ball for her side with a point to prove. She was huge around the stoppages as usual, but what really stood out in the clash was her aerial strength not just up forward, but between the arcs too. She leapt for high balls and competed one-on-one, which has always been among her strengths. Best known for her ground level play, it is great to see her starting to adapt traits that are often associated with her when playing forward, around the ground as well.

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

Provided a strong target inside 50 and was strong one-on-one or on the lead. Had a couple of shots that fell short or when wide before converting a nice goal snapping around her body when a few metres out. Applies forward half pressure when inside 50 which is important for a big, and performed her role, doing what she could for the team.

Eastern Ranges:

#4 Asher Fearn-Wannan
Wing | 177cm | 14/12/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 6 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Provided no shortage of run and carry throughout the match and even had a brilliant run-down tackle on Mia Anderson late in the second term. She also got run-down a few minutes later, but risked it consistently to break the lines and put pressure on the opposition defence. Clean off the bounce and capable of working forward once turnovers occur, she was solid throughout the match.

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

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Started on-ball and worked into the back half at times, McMillan was her consistent self popping up just about everywhere. She has had bigger numbers, but still showed the same impact with her movement through traffic, clean hands and smart decision making skills. In the opening minute of the second term she ran-down the evasive Barwin, and remained a valuable player in the Eastern midfield.

#10 Jordyn Allen
Defender/Midfielder | 165cm | 12/11/2007

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

Started at half-back, Allen used her athletic gifts in the game to create speed on transition and set up her teammates down the field. On more than a few occasions she charged off the defensive centre line to win the ball, but also had a stint at the coalface where she got her hands dirty winning groundlevel possessions. The conditions and pressure lowered her efficiency, but her metres gained are always where she maximises her impact.

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Rankin continues to just do her job each week at the stoppages, winning a lot of her touches in close, firing off handballs or just disposing of it before being brought down. Clever around goal, she had some opportunities for scoring assists, but also worked back into defence to apply fierce pressure. Has great hands in close and is clean with her extraction work.

#31 Isabelle Creaton
Defender | 164cm | 29/01/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

The hard-running defender allowed Allen to play through the middle at times with a similar run-and-gun style from the back half. She had a huge run-down tackle early in the game and continued to get involved off the handball receive or switch. Her final execution can be a work in progress, but she gains metres, and has the explosive power that stands out.

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

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark, 12 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Started in defence then moved on-ball in the second half where she immediately started to rack it up, winning a few early clearances in the role. Anderson has the versatility to switch between both positions seamlessly, and she laid a whopping 12 tackles showing she can be just as accountable as she can accumulate with ease. Had a nine-disposal third term when in the middle and showed nice hands under pressure and a propensity to win the hardball as well as spread to the outside and win ti there too.

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

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 39 hitouts, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals

Got her opportunity starting forward before rotating into the ruck and certainly made an impact with the first two goals in the game. Bamford is still developing her contested marking, but has nice speed for a tall to create space and with her size and athleticism makes her difficult to outmark, especially if her teammates can identify a height mismatch as they did in the first term. She had more opportunities that did not quite eventuate on the scoreboard, but her ruck craft looked a class above in the game, as 39 hitouts in essentially a half of rucking on-ball might suggest.

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

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals, 1 behind

With so much depth at Vic Metro, Wilkinson is honing in on her forward craft, and while still playing midfield, she showed her smarts up forward with two clever goals in the space of a few minutes during the fourth term. Her first was an opportune soccer off the deck, while her second was a classy snap around her body from 25m out. A fierce competitor who thrives on the contested ball, she can compete both in the air or at ground level.