A GRANDSTAND finish saw an understrength Tasmania Devils outfit pull off an incredible heist from Gippsland Power with the last kick of the game. The Power lead all match – including 24-1 at quarter time and 11 points at the last change – before Olivia Lyons became the hero, booting two goals in the last seven minutes – including the final kick – to secure the victory for the Devils who were missing the likes of Evie Ward, Evie Bingham and Matilda Lange among others, while the Power were also minus star Grace Dillow.

We took note of some of the players who stepped up in their absences.

GIPPSLAND POWER:

#8 Mia Smith-Clark
Forward | 157cm | 21/05/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Convinced that she has the forward traits to make a very handy player for a long time, Smith-Clark might dwell on her late miss from the top of the goalsquare that would have iced the game, but excluding that, she was one of Gippsland’s best throughout the match. The way she looked dangerous every time she went near the ball, and would tuck it under the arm and take multiple bounces, breaking down Tasmania’s defence was superb. A human highlight reel at times, Smith-Clark competes strongly one-on-one for her size, and is smart at ground level. Aside from taking her time with that last kick, she didn’t do too much wrong.

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

Stats: 13 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 8 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Tasmania was well aware of Milner’s ability to change the game and without Dillow in there, she was the number one clearance winner and standout top-ager on the field. She racked up eight clearances as she had to transition from being a second possession winner to a predominant first-possession winner and bring others into the game. Milner rotated forward at times, and applied great pressure, and while not having as much impact around the ground as she has had in other games, was still very strong on the nside and kept running hard.

#12 Bonnie Williams
Midfielder | 166cm | 10/10/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Made the move from defence – where she is usually the kick out option – into the middle, having come off a trial with Vic Country the week before. Williams adapted well around the ball and found her fair share, combining with Milner and Holmes for the most part. Her defensive traits kicked in at times not just through tackles, but a smother just before quarter time and continually looking to assist her teammates. Had a snap on goal with the outside of her right boot that went across the face, but was otherwise consistent throughout the match.

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

Stats: 26 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Arguably Gippsland Power’s best in the win, the talented bottom-ager is building a nice CV to head into next season. She had some chances on goal and finished with class in the third term at one end, but also gave one away with a dangerous kick across the defensive 50 that missed the target in the same quarter. Overall, Holmes racked up the ball and had more touches than anyone else on the field, while her movement in traffic is always a delight. Covered the ground well and has a well-balanced game overall.

TASMANIA DEVILS:

#1 Georgia McIntee
Forward | 163cm | 11/07/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 10 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

Showed some exciting traits inside 50 and had that balanced between offensive and defensive elements. McIntee continually got to the right spots, and nailed her set shot when she had a chance from a free kick, while also only just missed an earlier opportunity from a similar distance. Working up the ground at times, she would apply not one, but two or three tackles at a time to mow down anyone with the ball. While her defensive traits stood out, she also has those natural forward smarts such as the Matthew Scarlett-esque toepoke in front of Ella Moodie who then delivered to Lyons for the winning goal.

#8 Olivia Lyons
Utility | 174cm | 20/07/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 2 goals

The match-winner on the day, and ultimate utility who spent time across all three lines. Lyons played on-ball through the first half, and while she had a slow start, got into the game as it went on, and by the third term had rotated into defence. With her side down by 11 at the last change, Lyons was sent forward in a new challenge, and she took to it like a duck to water. Looking dangerous leading up to the final seven minutes, she took a great one-on-one mark and then nailed the set shot to cut the deficit to four points. Her best was yet to come though, with the final seconds ticking down, she was back shoulder on her opponent and thanks to a high kick, she used her body perfectly to nudge her opponent under the ball, take the mark and then turn around and slot the winning goal with the last kick of the game.

#9 Luca Murgatroyd
Utility | 177cm | 01/04/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 2 hitouts, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Like Lyons, Murgatroyd was deployed across multiple positions, largely at half-back and then through the midfield in the second half. She has great athleticism and competes in the air and at ground level, applying fierce pressure on opponents tall and small, and is developing the rest of her game along the way. Helped set up the final play with a booming kick from the wing to half-forward, and was regularly involved in transitions from defence to attack.

#16 Leila-Jayne Atkins
Midfielder | 164cm | 08/12/2008

Stats: 27 disposals, 14 tackles, 7 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 2 behinds

Fresh off a casual 45-disposal, 12-tackle, 10-clearance and six-goal game for North Launceston, Atkins produced her best Talent League Girls game in the absence of the regular starting midfield. She laid double-digit tackles and found the ball at will, being a key inside ball-winner feeding it out to her teammates. While her polish and final execution can still develop, she fronts up and her contest to contest work as well as her repeat pressure acts were huge.