THE first two of four quarter finals takes place tomorrow at Preston City Oval tomorrow with the reigning grand finalists tackling Northern Knights and Sandringham Dragons who have made the finals series for another year. We preview the two matches.

NEED TO KNOW

Venue: Preston City Oval
Date: Saturday, August 30
Time: 11:00am

FORM

Eastern Ranges enter the clash off the back of a massive confidence-boosting win over Oakleigh Chargers to snatch top spot on the Coates Talent League Girls ladder. With the Ranges regaining Tayla McMillan for the finals, they are in red-hot form to go all the way. Northern Knights have been a little shaky in the run home, losing a few times after leading at the last change. That was sorted last weekend as four goals from Scarlett Johnson helped sink the Cannons.

TEAMS

Eastern Ranges:

2    Zoe Vozzo
3    Scout Semple
4    Asher Fearn-Wannan
6    Tayla McMillan
7    Bridie Neale
8    Adelaide Caldicott
10    Jordyn Allen
12    Emily Rankin
13    Amber McDermott
16    Ashleigh Thatcher
17    Lara Williams
22    Emma Di Petta
24    Maeve Gill
25    Briannan Lambe
27    Zoe-Grace Willis
29    Ellie Busch
31    Isabelle Creaton
34    Mathilde Wilkinson
35    Brylee Anderson
36    Bree Horne
37    Josephine Bamford
54    Zoe Wilkinson
55    Perri Goulding
32    Zarah Markby (emg)
42    Kyra Simmons (emg)
44    Mackenzie Ackland (emg)

Northern Knights:

2    Maddy Meagher
3    Marlo Graham
4    Ivy Ryan
5    Lola Stone
7    Scarlett Johnson
8    Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb
9    Kira Lemire
14    Emily Webb
15    Claudia Dal Pos
19    Olivia Jesser
20    Zoe Lethlean
21    Mary Robinson
22    Abbi Gardiner
23    Phoebe Hargreaves
26    Somer McCormack
27    Frances Saviane
29    Caitlin O’Brien
32    Juliet Saviane
39    Adele Coppola
41    Scarlett Fitzpatrick
42    Chloe McKelson
43    Allegra Paoli
45    Dakota Edmonds
10    Katelyn Busuttil (emg)
25    Kiara Keenan (emg)

KEY PLAYERS

Eastern Ranges

The Ranges have a stacked lineup across the board with National Academy pair McMillan and Jordyn Allen providing plenty of class and skill down the field. On the inside, contested ball-winners Emily Rankin and Brylee Anderson will look to take control at the coalface and aid in feeding it out to the likes of Asher Fearn-Wannan and Bridie Neale. All-Australian Josephine Bamford will enjoy a great battle in the ruck, while Zoe Vozzo and Scout Semple are among the dangerous medium forwards in the match.

Northern Knights

Johnson is coming off a massive game – and a huge year – but will need a big one here – along with her teammates to cause a boilover. Skipper Phoebe Hargreaves has been in great form since returning to the midfield, while the return of Marlo Graham will add a spark and added toughness too. Maddison Meagher‘s bursting runs have been eye-catching all season, while Isobella Hishongwa-Gibb through the ruck and Olivia Jesser up forward are some of the other key players in the match. Unfortunately the Knights will be minus strong midfielder Olivia Gorman

PREDICTION

Northern Knights do have quality on their list, but Eastern Ranges have such a deep squad and will be tough to beat all finals series. The loss of Gorman for Northern and Eastern regaining McMillan – when it would likely be the head-to-head in the middle, is massive and therefore the tip goes with the Ranges by 21 points.

NEED TO KNOW

Venue: Preston City Oval
Date: Saturday, August 30
Time: 1:10pm

FORM

Oakleigh Chargers had a rare loss last week, going down to Eastern Ranges in a result they will be keen to turn around should they meet again on the biggest stage. Aside from that though the Chargers have been slick, and should be primed and ready to roll against a Sandringham Dragons side that has shown signs at times this season, but only just scraped past Western Jets last weekend. The Dragons will need to find their best form if they are to do damage here.

TEAMS

Oakleigh Chargers:

1    Grace To
2    Chloe Thorn (c)
4    Zara Neuwirth
5    Isabelle Godfrey
6    Leni Lockyer
7    Emily Rundle
9    Chloe Bown (vc)
10    Eliza Klein
11    Isabella Mazzei
13    Zoe Curry (dvc)
14    Chloe Potts
16    Charlee Johnson
19    Skye Emery
23    Ava Philpin
26    Teagan Murtic
29    Annabelle Roberts
30    Grace Sharkie
32    Scarlett Bown
35    Annabelle Mackintosh
40    Jessica Owen
50    Cleo Barbakas
51    Hayley Columbine
53    Ruby Douglas

Sandringham Dragons:

2    Grace Mclntyre
4    Ciara Hayes
10    Macy Watkins
11    Cleo Phillips
16    Charlotte Embelton
17    Nina Pound
18    Ruby Hartney
22    Kera Galaminda Gellar
24    Claudia Kogler
28    Amy Smith
29    Isla Tucker
34    Peggy Martin
38    Chloe Shipton
42    Molly Allan
43    Georgia Zuchowski
44    Sienna Sharp
50    Izabela Ignjic
55    Grace Perrett
59    Maya Duane
62    Cyan Van der Merwe
67    Hannah Dowling
68    Isabel Koster
70    India Ford
46    Zara Rayner (emg)
54    Ashley Patton (emg)
57    Lila Saunders (emg)

KEY PLAYERS

Oakleigh Chargers

Oakleigh’s strength comes from its strong midfield and key forward combination. Lead by Vic Metro MVP Chloe Bown, the Chargers have a deep midfield that welcomes back Zoe Curry, while still boasting the likes of Teagan Murtic, Isabella Mazzei and skipper Chloe Thorn. The twin towers up forward in Bailee Martin and Scarlett Bown are a real headache for opposition defences, while Cleo Barbakas can add extra height when not rotating into the ruck. Down back, Zara Neuwirth will take the opposition’s best key defender to try and nullify them, while providing drive as well.

Sandringham Dragons

Sandringham Dragons will look to Macy Watkins to lead out of the middle, with skipper Sienna Sharp a target up forward, and double bottom-ager Maya Duane rotating between both roles. Amy Smith has a damaging right peg and has made the wing her own, while the return of Kera Galaminda Gellar to pair with Peggy Martin up forward has been a positive. Winger Grace McIntyre, defender Isla Tucker and midfielder/forward Chloe Shipton are among the other bottom-age prospects to watch.

PREDICTION

Oakleigh Chargers should be too strong in this one, with a stacked team and the experience in finals. The Dragons are without Chloe Williams who is a key intercepting presence as well, so it looms as a tough one to get up. Chargers by 35.