OAKLEIGH Chargers regained the momentum in a stirring final-term comeback to defeat Sandringham Dragons by nine points at Trevor Barker Beach Oval for Round 6 of the Talent League Girls competition. The Chargers lead throughout the first half, before the Dragons booted three goals to go 12 points up at the final change, and then Oakleigh kicked three themselves in the fourth quarter to win, 6.8 (44) to 5.5 (35).

We took note of some of the players who caught the eye from either side.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#3 Cleo Barbakas
Ruck/Forward | 182cm | 07/01/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 22 hitouts, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Barbakas was dominant through the ruck from first bounce to last, producing convincing tap work throughout that gave her side first use from the majority of centre bounces. Her presence wasn’t limited to hitouts – she applied ferocious defensive pressure with seven tackles, including a strong tackle on the wing in the final term to win a free kick and get the ball moving forward, and a big spoil at half-back in the third quarter followed immediately by a chase-down tackle on the subsequent contest. Her defensive work was matched by moments of composure going forward, with a strong mark in defence from the kickout thumped down the middle to a contest in the third term a highlight of her two-way contribution. The hitout count and tackling output make this a well-rounded ruck performance.

#7 Grace Sharkie
Wing/Defender | 165cm | 02/11/2009

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

A busy, clean performance from Sharkie who was effective in the connecting role across the half-back and wing corridor. She applied good pressure at half-forward in the second term to force a turnover, held a disciplined line through the third quarter pushing up to the wing and winning a free kick, and showed the ability to switch angles effectively to find the next ball. Her best moments came from her handling under pressure – quick hands in traffic at half-back were a feature – and she read the flight well to take a mark in defence and kick to half-back. A bottom-ager who used the ball cleanly from 23 touches.

#13 Zoe Curry
Midfielder/Forward | 172cm | 09/10/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 7 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Curry was Oakleigh’s engine and the driving force behind their final-quarter comeback. Seven clearances and seven inside 50s underline her impact from the centre, and she combined them with the booming kicking that has been her calling card – launching missiles from half-back and the middle into the front half, time and again throughout the game. Her most critical contribution came in the last minute of the third term, winning a centre bounce stoppage and getting the ball moving forward at a pivotal juncture when Sandringham held the lead and the momentum. The tackling pressure was as expected – fierce and relentless across four quarters. A reliable bull of a midfielder.

#17 Scarlett Bown
Tall Forward | 178cm | 22/09/2009

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 3 hitouts, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

A composed, impactful game from Bown who saved her best for when it mattered most. Her goal in the final term was a product of excellent one-on-one craft – outstanding front positioning to mark in front of her opponent 30 metres out directly in front, converted with a calm set shot. Her second shot at goal from the other side of the 50 just after pushed wide, but her ability to consistently win the front position against her direct opponent was the defining thread of her performance. An elite pick-up and spin then handball on the wing in the second term showed her ground-level skills, and she rounded out the game with an intercept mark on the wing in the dying seconds. Building nicely as a bottom-age tall forward.

#31 Sophia Green
Utility | 170cm | 22/11/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 1 mark, 8 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Green always brings relentless physicality across the ground, hunting the ball with fierce, repeat tackling efforts that make life very difficult for her opponents. She was most prominent on the wing and at half-forward, where her strong fend-offs and quick hands off the deck in traffic allowed her to keep the ball moving under pressure while often starting, or rotating on-ball. Five clearances further underline her impact around the stoppages, and a good mark at half-forward in the final term capped a polished overall contribution. Green does the contested work that is important, even if sometimes she can rush the final execution under pressure

#36 Molly Phillips
Forward | 165cm | 01/10/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 9 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals

Phillips was relentless and productive in equal measure, finishing with two goals and nine tackles from the forward flank — a combination that tells the story of a player who hunts the ball as hard as she finishes it. Her first goal came just four minutes into the game, and her second – a composed set shot from 30 metres directly in front in the 11th minute of the final term – proved to be the sealer. In between, she was a pest at ground level, locking the ball up with desperate pressure at half-forward repeatedly, and her goal assist to Scarlett Bown – throwing it on the boot out of a forward stoppage to hit her teammate perfectly – was a piece of sharp forward instinct. Nine tackles from a forward is an elite effort.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS:

#2 Grace McIntyre
Wing/Defender | 173cm | 31/12/2008

Stats: 27 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 5 clearances, 1 inside 50, 4 rebound 50s

McIntyre was Sandringham’s most prolific ball-winner with 27 disposals and was a constant presence in transition across the wing and defensive half. She linked up efficiently across all four quarters, consistently moving the ball out of defensive 50 through her own initiative – her ability to spin into open space and kick downfield was a feature, including a well-executed sequence in the second term where she mopped up in defence, found the spin to break free and kicked downfield effectively. Her clean hands off the deck and the composure to fire it through traffic were recurring themes. A reliable accumulator who kept the Dragons moving.

#5 Grace Perrett Midfielder/Forward | 178cm | 08/04/2008 Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 11 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Using her size to full advantage, Perrett laid a whopping 11 tackles a defining feature of her game. She is an absolute workhorse who puts enormous defensive pressure on the opposition with her size and physicality around the contest. Her thumping kick down the middle of the ground in the third quarter underlined the kicking power she can generate, and her strength around stoppages makes her a physically imposing presence. She was equally strong in the final term – a good mark on the wing, a composed handball shuffle away after being immediately tackled, and a well-placed kick inside 50 – a consistent performer across the game. Top-age midfielder who earns her disposals the hard way.

#7 Luella Hall
Wing | 173cm | 17/10/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

Hall’s acceleration and forward-thrusting out of defensive positions was a feature, bursting away off half-back on multiple occasions to generate transition opportunities for the Dragons. Her clearance work in the third term was well-timed – intercepting off Curry’s hands and immediately pushing forward – and her two-way effort showed in five rebound 50s alongside four inside 50s. She also contributed from the kick-in, with a long kick from the back pocket to half-back showing the range of her kicking. A dropped mark under pressure in the first term was a rare blemish in an otherwise busy performance from the bottom-age winger.

#20 Maya Duane
Midfielder | 179cm | 16/03/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 3 behinds

Duane was the Dragons’ most dynamic individual, with a long-range goal in the third term the highlight of an otherwise frustrating day in front of goal – she had three shots for behinds before finally nailing one from range, taking the ball off the deck, running to 50 and slamming home a bomb from distance that was a genuinely impressive individual effort. Her 1-2 combination with Grace Perrett early in the game – strong hands around the contest, then thumping the ball deep inside 50 – was a showcase of her ability to link up through the corridor. The disposal count and four clearances reflect a genuine ball-winner, and her failure to convert from closer range will be a focal point for improvement.

#29 Isla Tucker
Defender | 168cm | 11/07/2008

Stats: 25 disposals, 3 marks, 8 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s

Tucker was outstanding and one of the most impressive individual performers in the contest. Her football IQ and defensive positioning were on show throughout – she reads the play exceptionally well and consistently found herself in the right spot to intercept, clear and recycle the ball effectively. Her work from the kick-ins was particularly noteworthy, taking both short and long options with composure and accuracy, and she backed up that ball-use with fierce tackling pressure. She pushed on-ball in the final term and continued to compete hard as Sandringham failed to score. A polished defender who wins the ball and moves it well.