DESPITE both sides missing quality players, it was Oakleigh Chargers’ depth that saw the metropolitan side return from Wangaratta with the four points, defeating Murray Bushrangers, 11.8 (74) to 1.4 (10). After Carmela Perri booted the first goal of the game for the Bushies, it was all the Chargers on the scoreboard, as they continued to build on their lead despite a fight from the home team.

We took note of some of the players who caught the eye in the game.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS:

#5 Eliza Roche
Forward | 165cm | 03/03/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The dynamic forward had to work for her touches most of the time with limited involvements early, but got more into the game in the second half. Throughout the third term, Roche had a number of eye-catching involvements where she would take the ball at speed, break clear and then put it to a dangerous position inside 50. Though she often was forced to rush her disposal going forward, she did disrupt the opposition defence with her movement and forward craft.

#6 Skylah McPherson
Midfielder/Forward | 169cm | 22/01/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 marks, 12 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Not a huge game by her standards, but still caught the eye with her fantastic defensive pressure and work around the stoppages. She found the wet ground a little challenging for groundballs, but continually worked hard with second and third efforts. On a number of occasions, the left-footer clear the immediate danger zone and got the ball to space, which was what the conditions called for. She laid some fantastic tackles and continued to work hard through the game.

#9 Carmela Perri
Midfielder | 168cm | 15/10/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 4 marks, 11 tackles, 1 clearance, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal

Burst onto the scene early in the match to push forward three minutes in and then launch a goal from 40 metres and get the home fans up and about. She won the next clear handball at the following centre ball-up and continued to be a thorn in the Chargers’ side all game. One of the Bushies’ best, Perri only had the one clearance which is a little uncharacteristic for her, but the home team was well beaten around the contest. Her defensive work is never in question and those athletic traits that enable her to breakaway from traffic through a combination of strength and speed were on display again.

#22 Constance Dodd
Defender | 167cm | 01/03/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

It was tough going for the Bushrangers defenders, but Dodd had some nice moments throughout the match. She took a couple of good marks and was able to deliver the ball downfield effectively. She was involved in the fair contest that saw Ava Kearney had to come off, and while a little sore, bounced back and played out the game. Competes well and is an outlet from defence.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#5 Isabelle Godfrey
Wing | 162cm | 11/08/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Godfrey was lively off the wing all day and used her burst to break clear of opponents and breakdown opposition defensive zones. While at times not utilising an opposite foot can run her into trouble, Godfrey just finds a way to get out of traffic to nail passes off her trusty right. She had multiple running bounces and hit some lovely passes inside 50, highly efficient when given her opportunities.

#6 Leni Lockyer
Defender | 164cm | 26/03/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 4 rebound 50s

The Collingwood father-daughter prospect has settled into life as a defender, and was busy throughout the match, tasked with the kickouts which suits her to a t. Lockyer’s kicking skill is her greatest strength, and with ball in hand and extra time compared to around the contest, the top-ager was able to inflict more damage from the back half. Generally consistent throughout the match, she can make mistakes under pressure, but had some great proactive charges from the back half of the ground.

#11 Isabella Mazzei
Midfielder | 169cm | 06/06/2008

Stats: 29 disposals, 2 marks, 9 tackles, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Crashing and bashing her way to another best on ground performance, Mazzei was enormous around the stoppages and is such a key part of the Chargers’ lineup. She has the speed and power similar to Perri where she can break clear and surge the ball forward, and it made for entertaining viewing. She did it consistently both ways, with five clearances and four inside 50s to complement her nine tackles, and while that final execution by foot can still develop, her elite cleanliness and regular knack for shrugging off would be tacklers and getting her hands free were crucial to extracting the ball from congestion.

#17 Scarlett Bown
Tall Forward | 179cm | 22/09/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 5 hitouts, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 3 goals, 2 behinds

Bown got back to business and was able to have a good day out, albeit with a couple of misses that could have spelled an even bigger performance. She kicked two goals from general play and one from a set shot, with her natural footy smarts on display. She is naturally strong in the air, but her athleticism and ability to recover and cleanly win the ball at groundlevel is another feature of her game. She can spray shots at goal at times, but also kick some incredible majors and she looked dangerous each time she went near it.

#20 Ruby Douglas
Midfielder/Defender | 166cm | 10/07/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 inside 50s

Douglas started on-ball and looked good through traffic, collecting a game-high six clearances, and often being the first to pounce and then pass off to a running teammate or player on the outside. She was clean at ground level, and while Douglas did tend to get thrown around against some of the bigger Murray bodies, she never took a backwards step. The bottom-ager flew for a marking contest with Perri at one stage in the third term and came off second best. She returned in the final quarter and played across defence where she took a nice intercept mark then eventually worked up the ground to nail a great pass inside 50.

#27 Katie Kim
Forward | 167cm | 02/08/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

It was a debut to remember for Kim who came into the side as a top-ager amongst a heap of double bottom-agers who have made debuts in recent weeks for the Chargers. Kim looked dangerous around the big sticks, bouncing home a goal early in the second term, then got on the end of a chain of handballs to slam home another from 35 metres out. She seemed to move well through traffic with a slick sidestep and seemed composed, and while her execution could use further work, her goals were incredible.

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

Stats: 31 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 1 clearance, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The highest possession winner on the ground, Phillips is a pure workhorse who just buzzes around and links up between midfield and attack in that high half-forward role. The top-ager is enjoying a consistent season and the Round 9 effort was her best yet, clocking past 30 disposals. She doesn’t panic and while only light, will crack in and apply as good as she gets in terms of defensive pressure. Didn’t kick a goal, but her value is in her ability to gather up on the wing or half-forward and then take off, or draw and opponent and cleanly distribute by hand to keep speed on the ball. Can keep developing her polish, but has some nice workable traits.

#43 Polly Provan
Forward | 173cm | 09/09/2009

Stats: 7 disposals, 1 mark, 1 inside 50, 3 goals

Another player who came in for her debut, Provan was hard to miss donning a glove, and while she only clunked the one mark, she booted three goals in the first half and looks to be the perfect pairing with Bown up forward over the next 18 months. She kicked her first major after taking the mark and delivering from 25m straight in front, before nailing a shot on the run right before the quarter time siren from longer range. If that was not enough, Provan brought up her triple treat with a brilliant soccer off the deck when the ball spilled over the back, hitting it at speed and kicking so purely it gained air and went straight through the big sticks. Only one game, but it was exciting.

#56 Emily McKinley
Ruck | 179cm | 17/03/2010

Stats: 15 disposals, 1 mark, 24 hitouts, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50

McKinley no doubt would have spent more time forward, but the 179cm talent was thrust into the sole ruck role when Kearney – who had started in the position – came off injured in the second term. It could prove the making of the double bottom-ager who was really impressive in the role, not only getting the ball down to her teammates, but following up and clearing the ball from congestion on a number of occasions. She has the leap to win the initial contest and could be a ruck/forward to keep an eye on going forward. Of course the Chargers have an embarrassment of riches in that role with Cleo Barbakas not in the side.