DANDENONG Stingrays have become the first side in three seasons to defeat Oakleigh Chargers in the finals, denying the Chargers a chance at a three-peat. Instead, the country-based side will tackle two-time runner-up Eastern Ranges in Saturday week’s Coates Talent League Girls Grand Final.

EASTERN RANGES 1.1 | 4.6 | 9.7 | 10.11 (71)
MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 1.1 (7)

SUMMARY

Eastern Ranges proved simply too good for a determined Murray Bushrangers outfit in the first preliminary final played at La Trobe University, Bundoora on Saturday. Despite a strong breeze, Eastern dominated the first term against the wind and kept the Bushies scoreless before leading 30-0 at half-time. Murray had done exceptionally well for most of the first half to keep the Ranges to just three goals total, before a last kick effort from Perri Goulding buffered the lead a touch.

That turned out to be the turning point with Eastern piling on five goals to one against the breeze in the third before coming away with the 64-point win. Murray did hit the scoreboard with a goal to Skylah McPherson following a free kick in the third term, but ultimately it was just a case of too little, too late. Credit goes to the Bushrangers for applying great defensive pressure as they recorded 84 tackles in the loss, but also conceded 55 inside 50s and lost the clearances by 11. They were largely saved by Rose Bell‘s ridiculous 20 rebound 50s from 28 touches on the last line.

KEY PLAYERS

Eastern Ranges

Emily Rankin – 27 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 8 clearances, 3 inside 50s
Tayla McMillan – 24 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s
Brylee Anderson – 24 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 7 clearances, 7 inside 50s
Scout Semple – 22 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals
Josephine Bamford – 16 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 33 hitouts, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 goals

Murray Bushrangers

Rose Bell – 28 disposals, 6 marks, 2 tackles, 3 clearances, 20 rebound 50s
Ellie Hall – 22 disposals, 12 tackles
Nikhita Spiteri – 20 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 clearances
Sophia Green – 18 disposals, 3 marks, 9 tackles
Rain Dodd – 17 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

NEXT ROUND

Eastern Ranges vs. Dandenong Stingrays | Sat Sep 20 @ Ikon Park
Murray Bushrangers have been eliminated.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS 2.1 | 3.6 | 5.6 | 8.8 (56)
OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 2.3 (15)

SUMMARY

Dandenong Stingrays have made history by taking down reigning back-to-back premier Oakleigh Chargers at Shepley Oval on the weekend in one of the best team performances of the year. The Stingrays went out with a plan an executed it perfectly, as 23 players all played their roles. Despite a strong breeze, the Stingrays played smart football and lead at quarter time by seven points against the breeze, and then held a three-goal buffer at the main break.

While the Stingrays’ 1.5 second term kept the Chargers in it, Dandenong did not release the pressure valve, booting another two goals against the breeze while miraculously keeping the Chargers to just two behinds. Leading by 28 points at the final break, a major in the first minute to Chargers small forward Grace To gave them a glimpse of hope, but the Stingrays’ defence did not waver and when Ruby Geurts booted her third goal of the game midway through the fourth, it lead to an outstanding finish for the Stingrays to run out 41-point victors.

KEY PLAYERS

Dandenong Stingrays

Mizuki Brothwell – 23 disposals, 4 marks, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s
Matilda Argus – 22 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s
Charlotte Hewitson – 19 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 3 cldarances, 3 rebound 50s
Evelyn Connolly – 13 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s, 4 goals
Ruby Geurts – 11 disposals, 2 marks, 2 inside 50s, 3 goals

Oakleigh Chargers

Chloe Bown – 23 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s
Zara Neuwirth – 17 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 8 rebound 50s
Cleo Barbakas – 15 disposals, 3 tackles, 8 hitouts, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s
Isabella Mazzei – 15 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 clearances
Chloe Thorn – 12 disposals, 11 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

NEXT ROUND

Dandenong Stingrays vs. Eastern Ranges | Sat Sep 20 @ Ikon Park
Oakleigh Chargers have been eliminated.