A WET Morwell Recreation Reserve set the scene for a grinding contest, with Eastern Ranges running out 7.13 (55) to 1.10 (16) winners over Gippsland Power in Round 5 of the Talent League Girls. The Power kicked the opening goal before the Ranges took over, booting the last seven majors in conditions that made clean ball use a genuine challenge throughout. We took note of some of the players from each side that caught the eye.

GIPPSLAND POWER:

#9 Lily Milner
Midfielder/Forward | 172cm | 25/01/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 7 rebound 50s

Milner was Gippsland’s most important player across a difficult afternoon, contributing at both ends of the ground with seven inside 50s and seven rebound 50s, a combination that reflects just how much ground she covered. Her best moments came in the defensive half, including a courageous clearance from danger in the final term and a smart shepherd in the second that blocked Rankin from pursuing a teammate. Her disposal was occasionally let down by conditions – a few kicks intercepted going forward – but her work rate and willingness to compete in both directions made her the Power’s standout on a tough day.

#10 Grace Dillow
Midfielder/Forward | 164cm | 03/06/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 behinds

Dillow won the first centre clearance of the game and was consistently creative in trying conditions, showing smart positioning to find space inside 50 on multiple occasions. Her two behinds from set shots – both from a similar position she would normally nail – were the frustration of an otherwise competitive day. Her smarts and football IQ were evident throughout, including a sharp smother-and-follow-up sequence that created a scoring opportunity, but the Power’s inability to convert was illustrated by Dillow’s own experience in front of goal. Always pops up and even if she is caught holding the ball, tries to create constant run in transition.

#14 Taylah Mizzi
Forward | 169cm | 12/06/2010

Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

The debutant and Under 16 All-Australian kicked Gippsland’s only goal of the game – a composed set shot from 25 metres that she judged perfectly in the wind – and showed some encouraging moments throughout. Her change of direction and speed on the wing in the final term before hitting up Dillow well was a highlight of her movement, and she showed good hands in the air at half-forward in the third term. Disposal under pressure was inconsistent but the forward instincts and aerial quality are genuine at such a young age. One to develop.

#21 Olivia Holmes
Midfielder/Forward | 170cm | 08/08/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50

The bottom-ager was busy through the middle without always being rewarded, showing quick hands in tight and getting the ball moving on multiple occasions. Her best moments were through the second term – a mark in the middle and clean hands-off to a running teammate was tidy – while she showed her two-way value going forward and back across the ground. A quieter day than her previous outings but an honest contribution in difficult conditions from a player still developing her senior game.

EASTERN RANGES:

#7 Bridie Neale
Wing | 167cm | 03/03/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s

Neale was a consistent presence across the wing and one of the Ranges’ best contributors across the conditions. Her standout moment came in the first term – a great tackle and follow-up handball to set up Mackenzie Ackland for an early goal – while her clean hands through traffic in the forward pocket and neat short pass that set up a smooth passage in the third term showed her awareness. She ran hard all day, covering ground in both directions and competing at every contest.

#10 Perri Goulding
Midfielder | 161cm | 05/07/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 11 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 behind

The bottom-ager’s 11 tackles is the number of the game and reflects a player who hunted the ball with relentless energy all day in conditions that were testing for everyone. In the third quarter, Goulding had a number of eye-catching moments with her disposal inside 50, clean hands at ground level and defensive pressure – including a great chase-down tackle – all in the space of a few minutes. She did throw it on the boot for a behind late, but the overall picture is of a bottom-ager who is doing an apprenticeship through the midfield to prepare to take the reins next year.

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

Stats: 29 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 8 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Rankin was outstanding again with another eight clearances from 29 disposals in wet conditions is an extraordinary return, and she was at the heart of everything the Ranges did well. Her combination with Williams through the middle was the defining feature of the game, with the pair consistently linking to drive the Ranges forward. She won multiple first-possession balls off the ruck tap – combining well with Baldwin off set plays – and showed clean hands under pressure throughout. While a naturally clean player and ball-winner, the skipper backed it up with six tackles that reflected her two-way commitment. The conductor of the Eastern midfield.

#17 Lara Williams
Midfielder | 168cm | 29/08/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles, 2 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal, 2 behinds

Playing on-ball in a change from her usual half-back role, Williams was one of the Ranges’ most damaging contributors – driving inside 50 six times and capping a strong individual day with a classy goal in the final term, sidestepping an opponent and finishing from 35 metres on the run. Her combination with Rankin through the middle was a consistent feature, and her seven tackles reflected a player who competed hard in both directions. Two behinds from chances meant she could have had more, but the overall picture is of a player thriving in a new role and adding another dimension to what is already a quality game. A significant individual performance.

#24 Maeve Gill
Key Defender | 180cm | 24/04/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 7 rebound 50s

Gill was commanding across the defensive 50, using her size and positioning to repel Gippsland’s forward thrusts consistently. She might have only had 11 touches, but her seven rebound 50s reflect how often she was involved in clearing the danger, including two intercept marks in the final term. Her kick-ins were generally well-executed, and she applied team-first actions such as a shepherd that created a clean exit for a teammate. A composed and reliable showing from the Vic Metro hub member.

#25 Tillie Baldwin
Ruck/Forward | 184cm | 20/08/2009

Stats: 14 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 20 hitouts, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal

The bottom-ager was simply dominant in the ruck, winning 20 hitouts and combining consistently with Rankin through the set plays to drive the Ranges forward. Her link-up work with Rankin was the defining passage of the game – tap, receive, clearance, repeat – and she showed her aerial ability and strength with six marks across the ground. Her goal in the final term was the fitting reward for a dominant physical performance, taking the ball out of the ruck in the goalsquare and slamming it home from a couple of metres out against a Power defence that had no answer for her size and strength. A significant bottom-age performance.

#29 Ellie Busch
Defender | 174cm | 13/03/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 8 marks, 6 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 6 rebound 50s

Busch has been teetering on the edge of a performance like this, and the way she roamed across the defensive half, intercepting consistently and switching play kept the Ranges moving forward efficiently. A good smother on Milner inside 50 in the first term prevented a Gippsland goal and set the tone for her day, while three consecutive intercept marks in the third term – each followed up with a quality switch kick – was the highlight of a performance that was quietly one of the best on the ground. Rock solid.