TWO HEAVYWEIGHTS of the Coates Talent League Girls clash in the final round of the 2025 season. Oakleigh Chargers and Eastern Ranges go head-to-head at Craigieburn on Sunday and we preview the massive contest between the pair of premiership contenders.

NEED TO KNOW

Venue: Highgate Recreation Reserve, Craigieburn
Date: Sunday, August 24
Time: 11:00am

FORM

Oakleigh Chargers are on a three-game winning streak since going down to Geelong missing a host of first-choice players. They have knocked off Dandenong Stingrays, Sandringham Dragons and Geelong Falcons leading into the last round of the season. Eastern Ranges have had a few up-and-down results depending on player availability, but back to near-full strength in Round 16, the Ranges pumped Calder Cannons by 15 goals. They are coming off a bye in Round 17.

TEAMS

Oakleigh Chargers:

B: #16 C. Johnson – #4 Z. Neuwirth – #35 A. Mackintosh
HB: #7. E. Rundle – #34 T. Perry – #14 C. Potts
C: #6 L. Lockyer – #26 T. Murtic – #23 A. Philpin
HF: #19 S. Emery – #1 G. To – #30 G. Sharkie
F: #29 A. Roberts – #32 S. Bown – #18 B. Martin
R: #40 J. Owen – #11 I. Mazzei – #2 C. Thorn
INT: #10 E. Klein – #50 C. Barbakas – #5 I. Godfrey – #9 C. Bown – #36 J. Gundry

Eastern Ranges:

B: #27 Z. Willis – #24 M. Gill – #22 E. Di Petta
HB: #31 I. Creaton – #36 B. Horne – #10 J. Allen
C: #4 A. Fearn-Wannan – #12 E. Rankin – 7. B. Neale
HF: #3 S. Semple – #54 Z. Wilkinson – #29 E. Busch
F: #2 Z. Vozzo – #25 B. Lambe – #34 M. Wilkinson
R: #37 J. Bamford – #16 A. Thatcher – #35 B. Anderson
INT: #8 A. Caldicott – #13 A. McDermott – #17 L. Williams – #42 K. Simmons – #55 P. Goulding

Note: Team selection estimated based off team list

KEY PLAYERS

Oakleigh Chargers

Vic Metro MVP Chloe Bown might have been named on the bench, but expect her to have an incredible performance whether she is on-ball or up forward. Younger sister Scarlett has filled the shoes of the absent Bailee Martin in recent weeks, but the duo are back together as a mighty one-two punch. Throw in athletic tall Cleo Barbakas and the Chargers have some serious height inside 50.

The Chargers’ midfield is also quite deep with top-ager Chloe Thorn moving there of late, joining the likes of Isabella Mazzei and Teagan Murtic. Both Thorn and Murtic have hit the scoreboard when forward, while up the other end, key defender Zara Neuwirth directs the backline. Other nameds to keep in mind include Allies ruck Jessica Owen and bottom-age wings Leni Lockyer and Isabelle Godfrey.

Eastern Ranges

Eastern Ranges are minus star midfielder Tayla McMillan but have an incredible deep midfield with bottom-age pair Emily Rankin and Brylee Anderson a couple of names to remember for next year. Jordyn Allen can roll through there, while Zoe Wilkinson and Ashleigh Thatcher have had their moments as well with strong top-age seasons.

The half-back line that could feature Allen and fellow Vic Metro representatives Isabelle Creaton and Bree Horne is a highlight, while Emma Di Petta has been in fine form at Coates Talent League level. All-Australian ruck Josephine Bamford will look to impact all around the ground, with Ranges’ leading goalkicker Briannan Lambe the main target inside 50, while Zoe Vozzo has the potential to kick a bag as well.

PREDICTION

Oakleigh Chargers have seemingly had the wood over Eastern Ranges the last few seasons, even when the Ranges have been on the verge of winning. There is that mental edge which the back-to-back premiers dig deep for when facing Eastern, and the result of this one – though not make or break for their respective seasons given both are in finals – would be a huge confidence booster when they ultimately meet again in the next month.

ROUND 17 FIXTURE:

Saturday, August 23:

Northern Knights vs. Calder Cannons @ Preston City Oval, 1:00pm
Dandenong Stingrays vs. Gippsland Power @ Shepley Oval, 4:20pm

Sunday, August 24:

Bendigo Pioneers vs. GWV Rebels @ Queen Elizabeth Oval, 11:00am
Oakleigh Chargers vs. Eastern Ranges @ Highgate Recreation Reserve, 11:00am
Murray Bushrangers vs. Geelong Falcons @ Deakin Reserve, 12:00pm
Sandringham Dragons vs. Western Jets @ Highgate Recreation Reserve, 1:30pm