A MASSIVE eight-game schedule is packed for Round 2 of the Talent League Girls competition after just one match took place a fortnight ago for opening round. The Brisbane Lions Academy took the chocolates over Gold Coast Suns Academy in that encounter, and both sides head to Blacktown as part of a double-header against the two New South Wales Academies.

MATCH OF THE ROUND

Eastern Ranges vs. Oakleigh Chargers
Saturday, April 11 @ 3:00pm
Kennedy Community Centre

Talent League Girls contests do not get much bigger than this, with the two arch-rivals looking to add another chapter to their famed rivalry. The duo have won the past three flags, with Eastern finally breaking the Chargers’ consecutive titles last year, defeating Dandenong Stingrays in the decider. It somewhat repaired the heartbreak of the previous two seasons where Oakleigh had proved too good for the Ranges.

Fast forward to 2026, and these sides should be around the mark again and there at the pointy end of the season. Eastern deserves premiership favouritism given its stacked midfield, but Oakleigh has an envious amount of tall forward targets, headlined by pick one contender, Bailee Martin. The Chargers could look to really stretch Eastern’s defence with Scarlett Bown and Cleo Barbakas capable to rolling between the forward 50 and in the middle.

Speaking of the middle, how about Eastern’s potential starting on-ball lineup of National Academy members, Brylee Anderson and Scout Semple, and the ultra-clean Emily Rankin? That trio alone will not lose too many clearances, though the Chargers can match them around the ball better than most with tough inside ball-winners Zoe Curry – though she will be with the Giants – and Isabella Mazzei in there.

The outside wing battle could be just as intriguing, with Isabelle Godfrey likely to cross paths with Bridie Neale, while Sophia Green could find herself in the middle or at half-back, providing similar run to that of her Eastern counterpart, Lara Williams. Ranges tall defender Maeve Gill will have a big job likely on Martin, while Green (Carlton) and Leni Lockyer (Collingwood) are two Chargers with father-daughter club ties.

Eastern has earned premiership favouritism, and while premiership coach Jarrad Donders is now at Richmond, the Ranges have the names on paper to get the job done. In saying that, if there is one team capable of knocking off the Ranges it is the Chargers, with quality across the board making it a tantalising first-up clash for these two sides. At a brilliant new deck of Kennedy Community Centre in Dingley, no less.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Aside from the Northern Academy sides facing off, there is a distinct metropolitan day and country day taking place on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Prior to Eastern and Oakleigh going head-to-head, Sandringham Dragons play host to Calder Cannons at RSEA Park, before all eyes turn to Preston City Oval where Northern Knights face Western Jets.

On Sunday, a triple-header at Queen Elizabeth Oval sees all six country teams descend on the Gold Rush town, with the Pioneers opening proceedings against Gippsland Power. Next up a couple of hours later, Murray Bushrangers take on Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels, before Dandenong Stingrays and Geelong Falcons – two of the best country teams – finish off with a bang.

TIPS

Saturday, April 11

GWS Giants Academy vs. Brisbane Lions Academy @ Blacktown, 10:00am
Sandringham Dragons vs. Calder Cannons @ RSEA Park, 12:00pm
Sydney Swans Academy vs. Gold Coast Suns Academy @ Blacktown, 12:30pm
Northern Knights vs. Western Jets @ Preston City Oval, 2:15pm
Eastern Ranges vs. Oakleigh Chargers @ Kennedy Community Centre, 3:00pm

Sunday, April 12

Bendigo Pioneers vs. Gippsland Power @ Queen Elizabeth Oval, 10:00am
Murray Bushrangers vs. GWV Rebels @ Queen Elizabeth Oval, 12:10pm
Dandenong Stingrays vs. Geelong Falcons @ Queen Elizabeth Oval, 2:20pm