DESPITE the AFLW Under 18 Championships and the Victorian Under 17s trials taking place over the past few days, the Talent League Girls competition still had a quartet of games with some tight contests and blowouts. Round 15 included a draw and a tight, low-scoring two-point game, while Tasmania Devils and the unbeaten Dandenong Stingrays came away with big victories.

Northern Knights 4.8 (32) drew Oakleigh Chargers 4.8 (32)

A pair of double bottom-age stars put on a show as Northern Knights held on fiercely against Oakleigh Chargers at Preston City Oval. Deena Gerges (33 disposals, four marks, five tackles, five clearances, six inside 50s, six rebound 50s and a goal) and Grace Robinson (25 disposals, 13 tackles, five clearances, five inside 50s and a goal) were both superb for the home side. They were far from alone though with 2010-born pair Ashley Denny (20 disposals, seven tackles, five clearances and five inside 50s) and Milla Giardina (18 disposakls, three tackles, four clearances and three inside 50s) and bottom-ager Kiah McKinnon-Rowe (19 disposals, four tackles, five clearances and three inside 50s) all helping the Knights dominate the stoppages (36-25).

Hard-running forward-midfielder Molly Phillips continued her stat-stuffing efforts with 30 disposals, seven tackles, four clearances and four rebound 50s) in the draw while over-ager Emily Rundle came back and had 10 rebound 50s to go with 25 touches, five marks, seven tackles and three clearances. Collingwood NGA member Grace To (19 disposals, nine tackles, three clearances and three inside 50s) and smart forward Abi D’Intini (15 disposals, one goal) were among the more prominent Chargers in a result where both sides remain mid-table.

Murray Bushrangers 4.3 (27) def. by Dandenong Stingrays 13.7 (85)

Dandenong Stingrays’ depth proved too much for Murray Bushrangers, running away with a 58-point win thanks to 11 goals in the last three quarters. After a relatively tight first term, the Stingrays couldn’t miss in the second quarter, piling on five straight goals and the lead only grew from there with six majors to one in the second half.

Back from Vic Country representation, Evi Irving was a standout, recording 32 disposals, three marks, five tackles, five clearances, six inside 50s and two rebound 50s. Over-ager Molly Reimers (25 disposals, four marks, three tackles, four clearances and a goal) and forward-turned-midfielder Jasmine Whitten (21 disposals, eight tackles, six clearances, four inside 50s and a goal) were also strong. Up forward, young gun Misha Simmons was lively, while top-age pair Georgia Goss and Marlee Black combined for six goals.

Bottom-age Allies representative Evie Henley stuffed the stats sheet with 28 touches, nine marks, five clearances, ofur inside 50s, six rebound 50s, a goal and laying a whopping 16 tackles. Latoya Holdsworth (19 disposals, four marks, five tacles and dive clearances), Abbey Ibrahim (14 disposals, three marks, eight tackles, three clearances and four inside 50s) were other prominent players. Constance Dodd tried hard in defence with four rebound 50s from 12 touches, three marks and three tackles.

Tasmania Devils 7.9 (51) def. Eastern Ranges 0.3 (3)

Tasmania Devils produced a dominant eight-goal win over an understrength Eastern Ranges outfit, recording one of their best victories of the year in front of home fans. They kept the Ranges to just three behinds missing the bulk of their starting midfield, and while Eastern was missing well over half of its best 21 due to Vic Metro Under 18s and Under 17s duties, the Devils still did what they had to do.

Standing up in front of goal, Lelanni Kikoak played her best game of the season, kicking 3.3 from 28 disposals, six marks, three tackles, 10 hitouts, five clearances and four inside 50s. Georgia McIntee (two goals from 12 disposals, four marks, eight tackles and five niside 50s) also hit the scoreboard multiple times, with Annabella Burt, Macy Devine, Lana Davey and Luca Murgatroyd all had 26 or more disposals and four or more clearances in a real even team performance for the Devils.

Back after her Vic Metro stint, Eastern winger Bridie Neale did her best in an inside role, winning seven of her team’s 20 clearances from 23 disposals, nine tackles and three rebound 50s. Sadie Glew (18 disposals, four marks, seven tackles and five rebound 50s) was lively out of defence, while Isabella Lord and Leilea Cocker also had their moments and Vic Metro Under 16s MVP Kiera Moroney provided an option in transition.

Western Jets 2.4 (16) def. Sandringham Dragons 2.2 (14)

In a low-scoring, tough contest, the Western Jets ground out a two-point win over Sandringham Dragons at Kennedy Community Centre. The Jets actually lead 16-1 at three quarter time, and while the Dragons booted the only two goals of the final term, fell just short of a comeback victory. Leilani Petaia (24 disposals, nine tackles and three clearances) was the top ball-winner, while Ava McDonald and Shakaila Gardiner-Dunn laid a combined 31 tackles from 31 disposals, 10 clearances and eight inside 50s. Miah Bradbury was also industrious in defence.

For the Dragons, top-age pair Isla Tucker (28 disposals, four marks, seven tackles, four clearances, five inside 50s and four rebound 50s) and Chloe Shipton (28 disposals, three tackles, seven clearances, four inside 50s and a goal) were the standouts. Under 16s utility Georgia Naughton amassed 23 disposals, three marks, three tackles, three clearances, three inside 50s and three rebound 50s, while Ciara Hayes dominated the hitouts with 32 of her side’s 49 hitouts to Western’s nine.