NORTHERN Territory made it back-to-back wins with a 39-point victory over Murray Bushrangers at Highgate Recreation Reserve on Sunday thanks to a five goals to one first half. Scoring was hard to come by in the second half, but the job was done by then, with the Territory emerging victorious, 6.12 (48) to 1.3 (9).

We took note of some of the standout players in the contest.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS:

#10 Charlie Gibson
Midfielder | 171cm | 14/05/2009

Stats: 25 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 4 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Without her usual partners in crime through the middle, it left Gibson as the player to take on the bulk of the clearance work against a speedy but small Territory midfield group. She still emerged as clearly one of the best two players on her side, working hard across the contest and applying pressure to go with her ball-winning ability. Her quick hands out of stoppages and spread were highlights, and though at times she could have applied better composure with ball in hard – largely affected by the copious Territory pressure – overall she did well.

#17 Crystal Holdsworth
Defender | 169cm | 18/06/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

The bottom-ager played off half-back and pushed up the ground and showed some nice skill in transition. Her delivery to Bell at half-forward in the first half was with pinpoint precision, while she competed hard in the air behind the ball as well. Generally using the ball effectively, Gibson ran at 70 per cent by foot and also won her fair share of one-on-one contests as well. Someone who can continue to improve with more experience.

#24 Rose Bell
Utility | 170cm | 18/03/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 8 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Bell was the ultimate ‘Fix It’ player, starting forward with the hope she could replicate her early season form last year at full-forward. But unfortunately a Bell sized hole in defence meant the Territory not only won the midfield battle but kept the ball up the other end. Ultimately, Bell was rotated on-ball and into her defensive post for the bulk of the game, with a couple of chances on goal for one behind and one run-down tackle before she could launch. Her footy IQ is off the charts so knew how to remain dangerous, but ultimately could only do so much.

NORTHERN TERRITORY:

#2 Taniesha John-Forest
Forward | 155cm | 20/05/2009

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 5 inside 50s, 2 behinds

Backed up her game on Thursday with another lively performance off half-forward. While she didn’t kick a goal, the pint-sized talent continues to be a threat and linked up with teammates inside 50. Her quick hands, nice evasive movements and natural X-factor shone, with her final execution and opposite foot a couple of areas to improve on over the next 18 months.

#3 Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn
Forward/Midfielder | 157cm | 22/11/2007

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

Remains a genuine over-age chance with her mix of pressure and offensive ability, Gardiner-Dunn just knows where the big sticks are and she kicked a couple of classy goals with almost identical degrees of difficulty. She provided a spark in quarter two, with eight of her 17 disposals to accompany her two majors in an eye-catching 20-minute purple patch. Has a future as a pressure forward.

#7 Layla May
Midfielder/Defender | 159cm | 14/05/2009

Stats: 20 disposals, 3 marks, 18 tackles, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s

A tackling machine who never lowers her pressure, May predominantly played on the inside and got her hands to a lot of touches extracting it out of the middle. In the second half she was moved to half-back and it was noticeable that the Bushrangers started to win more of the ball at the contest. She continued to provide run and carry while mowing down opposition players. A little raw with her precision but has some nice traits.

#8 Peggy Rock
Midfielder/Defender | 166cm | 20/07/2009

Stats: 24 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances,2 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

Alongside May, moved out of the middle to defence – albeit a little later – to try out that position, and it was clear that the Territory started to struggle without them. She racked up the ball with ease, hit the contest hard each and every time, while being able to power away and get into the right spots to win multiple touches in quick succession. Her smarts and positioning were on display with the way she could hold a kick behind play and intercept, and while at times she can throw it on the boot, Rock has the rare ability of being able to use either side of her body, and looked dangerous when the ball was in her area.

#10 Kayla Ilett
Forward | 174cm | 18/12/2009

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 1 hitout, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

Presented as a marking target inside 50, and after missing a fairly easy set shot in the 13th minute of the first term, hit the scoreboard with a smart play of strength and awareness in the second quarter. Close to goal, she gathered under heat, shrugged off her opponent when turning around and waltzed into goal with five minutes left in the half. She also showed her two-way ability with a brilliant run-down tackle on Bell midway through the last quarter.

#15 Grace Anstess
Defender/Forward | 175cm | 10/04/2010

Stats: 25 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 7 hitouts, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The double bottom-age Sandy Dragons prospect was a standout for the Territory and in the end, one of the most consistent four-quarter performers. She played aggressively off half-back and despite the ball camped in her side’s front half, learnt from Thursday night that she can press up and have an impact forward of centre as well. Showed fantastic groundlevel pressure, took some ruck stoppages and pumped the ball inside 50 consistently. For a tall, Anstess moves well in heavy traffic and can spin out of tackles as well. A very exciting prospect for the future.