IN A BATTLE between two one-win sides in the Talent League Girls competition, it was Gippsland Power that made an emphatic statement, defeating Bendigo Pioneers in an inaccurate, tough contest, 8.16 (64) to 0.3 (3). The win came off the back of a 6.6 (42) second half, while Bendigo kicked its three behinds in the final three minutes.

We took not of some of the players who caught the eye in the contest.

GIPPSLAND POWER:

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

Stats: 24 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 6 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

Milner is always a workhorse and was a prime mover out of the midfield and rotating forward, where she was the sole goalkicker int he first half. Her clever snap that bounced home broke the deadlock, and she remained forward where she always looked dangerous. She started on-ball across the first three quarters to be heavily influential around the stoppages, then started forward in the last term with the game done and dusted. Ever involved, able to win repeat possessions in a chain and drive the ball forward in transition, Milner can sometimes just go for distance, but it worked out more often than not with Dillow getting on the end of one such kick and running into to kick a nice goal.

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals, 2 behinds

The Vic Country representative spent the whole game forward which is likely where she will play for the ‘Big V’ given her smarts and ability to create space. Her clean hands and quick decision making came to the fore, and she was able to finish with two goals from four scoring shots. Both her majors came in the third term where her gather at the top of 50 and long-range ping to an open goalsquare bounced home, before being much closer later on in the term where she was able to manufacture a goal by getting boot to ball. A high impact-per-possession player.

#14 Taylah Mizzi
Wing | 169cm | 12.06/2010

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Still young and plenty of development to come, Mizzi has some really exciting traits. The Under 16s Vic Country rep backs herself through both her speed and evasion, able to step back and wrong foot the opposition before exploding away and going long down the line. The wing role suits her, and while she has the traits to play anywhere on the field, she is looming as a player whose 12 touches will feel like 20.

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

Stats: 32 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Is in a rich vein of form even with both top-age jets in Milner and Dillow in the side. She is dominating the midfield battle allowing the aforementioned Power talents to spend more time inside 50. She has a high running capacity, clean hands and a long kick which always helps, and while the final execution under pressure particularly from a technique wise can still improve, her work rate and one-two’s around the ground help her gain valuable meterage. An underrated trait as a midfielder is Holmes’ knack for reading the play and intercept marking often in the front half when a dump kick comes out of the attacking 50 from the opposition. A well-rounded game, Holmes has really put her hand up for Vic County.

#22 Acacia Sutton
Midfielder/Forward | 165cm | 20/06/2007

Stats: 27 disposals, 1 mark, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s

The over-age prospect just keps piecing together a solid season, linking up well by hand and able to get her hands clear even when tackled. She can be a little bit more precise under pressure but she wears tackles and brings teammates into the game. Capable to playing midfield or in attack, and has the smarts around the big sticks which is a plus for her side.

#34 Elizabeth Sowden
Tall Forward | 176cm | 22/12/2009

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 1 hitout, 1 inside 50, 3 goals, 2 behinds

Having been deployed forward of late after starting the season in defence, Sowden finally got her opportunities more so than in previous games. She booted three goals – including two in teh final term – all of which were from close range. She presented well took some nice marks and read the ball in flight just like she has when being the deepest defender. At times in general play she would rush the disposal such as a handball to no one in particular in the goalsquare when going forward, but her defensive attitude was a constant and strong for a player of her size.

BENDIGO PIONEERS:

#6 Sage Dennis
Midfielder/Defender | 161cm | 22/08/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 11 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 rebound 50

A really aggressive player who can play a variety of positions, Dennis was predominantly rotated between the midfield and defence. Her tackling pressure is elite, and while she can give away some free kicks from her overzealous attack on the ball, it is always a much greater positive than negative. Her clean hands in traffic and nice evasive skills stand out and she is able to zip in and out of trouble while setting up her teammates with neat releases.

#8 Georgia Garlick
Defender/Midfielder | 170cm | 01/07/2008

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

Worked hard constantly in defence, driving the ball long down the ground from the back 50 and playing proactive football to also kick inside 50 too. Garlick did make a few uncharacteristic turnovers in transition and gave up a couple of unlucky free kicks. However her run and carry from the back half and vision always stands out, and the top-ager got some midfield minutes later in the match where she was able to win the ball off the handball receive and thumping downfield. Was terrific defensively.

#9 Beth Morris
Midfielder/Defender | 167cm | 04/09/2008

Stats: 27 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 5 rebound 50s

The tough inside midfielder and Pioneers skipper spent a lot of time in defence after often starting on-ball, using her strength in the back half to apply pressure to the Gippsland forwardline. She racked up a lot of the ball in the defensive 50 where she would win quick handballs out of the stoppage or neat short passes to switch play to create some open space. A tough competitor who might not be a high metres gained player, but gets her hands dirty to make others better.

#12 Issy Boulton
Defender/Midfielder | 160cm | 21/05/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 2 marks, 12 tackles, 5 clearances, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s, 2 behinds

Another player who found plenty of the ball in close and was a tackling menace all game, Boulton started behind the ball and would push up the ground, starting on-ball later for the last three quarters and was able to win a number of important clearances to go forward. Had a couple of chances late that just missed – including a set shot from the boundary after the siren – but as a whole tried hard all game and was a valuable contributor.

#40 Ella Jeffrey
Midfielder/Defender | 168cm | 09/08/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 12 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 7 rebound 50s

Returning back to the Talent League Girls competition after experience through the VFL Women’s, Jeffrey stepped up to fill the void left by Lacey Nihill and was clean, tough and ferocious all match. She started on-ball each quarter then would roll back and support the defence, continually standing tall and using her smarts and powerful kicking to clear the defensive zone. She brought the ehat when around the ball and always followed up when required to add an extra number at ground level or when moving in transition.