NORTHERN Territory concluded its Talent League Girls campaign with a 32-point win over Gippsland Power at TIO Stadium. The victory was the Territory’s third in four matches, and while the Power tied the scores early in the second after a slow start, after that they never reduced the deficit below 22 points in the 10.4 (64) to 4.8 (32) result.

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

NORTHERN TERRITORY:

#2 Layla May
Midfielder | 159cm | 14/05/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 12 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

May is your quintessential pocket rocket in the sense that she will always bring pressure and also a little bit of X-factor wherever she plays. Predominantly around the ball, May was not a huge clearance winner, but she was often on the end of a few chains going forward, and even hit the scoreboard herself late in the third term with a clever sidestep and then finish with class. Took a number of good marks overhead for her size, and never gave an inch with her pressure at ground level.

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

Stats: 14 disposals, 16 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 inside 50s

Has more experience than anyone else on the field given her work not just through the Talent League Girls with Western Jets this season, but also previously in the successful South Adelaide SANFLW pathway. Like May, Gardiner-Dunn is small but mighty, and will hit hard and also show some natural class. She showed her first-possession instincts around the ball, and while not having a heap of touches, she made the most of them, and of course laid double-digit tackles in an elite defensive display.

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 6 inside 50s, 4 goals, 1 behind

The difference between the sides realistically. While the Power have rotated played through a tall forward role this season, Ilett has become a focal point for the Territory and got her just rewards with a four-goal haul in the match. Incredibly, all four came in the first half before a couple of half-chances in the second. Her aerial strength and reading of the ball in flight were big ticks, and Ilett showed some promising signs for the next 18 months as she builds towards her draft.

#15 Lakhyah Hill
Defender | 171cm | 20/12/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 3 marks, 14 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 rebound 50s

Recorded a team-high 21 disposals in the contest and was another ferocious tackler showing just how many contests she got to. The bulk of her game was in the back half where she would mop up and clear downfield, but Hill also pushed up to support her teammates. A touch fumbly at times, once she had the ball she was able to put the pressure on, and took a couple of marks in succession in the fourth term.

#18 Grace Anstess
Tall Defender | 175cm | 10/04/2010

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 marks, 10 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The double bottom-ager is looming large as the Territory’s top prospect in a couple of years, and Anstess will only get better when further developing through the Sandringham Dragons program. She competes well in the air, but is equally capable to producing a timely spoil as she is clunking a mark, while also doing the team thing when required including rushing a behind or applying a shepherd. A smooth mover with upside, she is a name to note down for a couple of years time.

GIPPSLAND POWER:

#7 Brooke Kelly
Defender/Midfielder | 166cm | 17/08/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 1 hitout, 1 clearance, 6 rebound 50s

A little bit more rushed than in previous games, Kelly felt the opposition forwardline’s speed at times, showing desperation to pump the ball from danger or get it out at all costs, which meant the efficiency took a hit. Still, the left-footed bottom-ager got into the right spots to find the pill, and even earned some on-ball minutes with Lily Milner out of the side. Her strong one-on-one mark in the fourth term was a highlight.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Having missed Gippsland’s tight loss to Tasmania, Dillow was back in action minus her partner in crime, Milner. She actually spent more time forward and started there rather than in the middle, though naturally got her minutes rotating back on-ball. Her goal in the dying seconds of the first term after a couple of efforts was good, and she had a really productive third term. It was the performance of a player who is working back to her best, producing some highlights in patches, and will be primed for Vic Country’s national carnival starting next weekend.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 6 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

Williams’ transformation from defender to midfielder-forward has helped her get in and around the contest and add another string to her bow. Always a consistent operator out of the back 50, Williams has been able to accentuate some of her attributes that are not always needed when kicking out from defence. Her work under pressure and strength in tackles to still cleanly distribute was very good, and she kicked a nice goal off a clever sidestep. A booming kick and excellent versatility, Williams has benefited from the extra on-ball minutes.

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

Stats: 31 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 1 hitout, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

It was a massive day out for the talented bottom-ager who had season-high numbers in the loss. She racked up 10 more disposals than anyone else on the field, and 13 more than the next highest Power player. At times her composure and decision making under pressure can definitely improve, but when she takes that moment to look, is capable of applying plenty of damage, particularly on offence. She links up by hand, cracks in and feeds out the contested ball, while also getting involved in one-twos. A real surge player when at her best.

#22 Acacia Sutton
Midfielder/ Forward | 165cm | 02/06/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals

The over-ager looked dangerous when inside 50 which is where she rotated after starting on-ball. Almost setting up teammates to kick goals, Sutton threaded the eye of the needle from a tight angle 20 metres out just four minutes into the second term. She then clunked a strong grab midway through the last up the same end and kicked truly from 35 metres. Has a nice burst, natural smarts and the offensive impact to match that of her defensive prowess.