WESTERN Jets kept Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels at arm’s length during their Round 21 clash, capping off a successful regular season with a 45-point victory. The Jets will take part in next week’s finals series for the first time since winning the flag in 2022, and have a host of players in great form which was emphasised during the 9.12 (66) to 3.3 (21) triumph.

We took note of some of the top performers across the game with a focus on state representatives.

WESTERN JETS:

#1 Charli Parsons-Jones
Midfielder/Forward | 167cm | 02/10/2009

Stats: 24 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 2 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

The bottom-aged midfielder/forward got to work both around the stoppages and spreading forward, providing a nice link in transition. Her clean and quick hands were a feature, while she cracked in at ground level, and she was able to get into ball-winning positions around the ground. With time and space she was able to be effective, and while a little less so under pressure, Parsons-Jones continued to win the ball and get it forward consistently.

#2 Addison West
Midfielder | 167cm | 16/05/2008

Stats: 28 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 behinds

Returning from a huge VFL Women’s debut with Williamstown, West had the ball on a string once more against the Rebels. She had 27 of her 28 disposals by the final break, and was able to be managed after a big year and ahead of finals. Strong overhead for her size, and a fierce competitor at ground level, while West can be a little hit and miss when storming out of congestion, her footy IQ and vision were evident and it showed whenever she won it in space. Her repeat contest work is sublime and she will always provide 100 per cent effort.

#4 Ruby Jones
Wing | 172cm | 02/03/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 7 inside 50s

Jones has had a busy finish to the season since returning from Vic Metro duties, and her performance on the weekend was no different. The Western Jets wing was able to find a lot of space out wide and then drive the ball forward, while also possessing a slick sidestep that she pulled out to assist Dixon with a third term major. Very clean both at ground level and in the air, she was one of the more impressive Jets in the win.

#5 Tayla Olivieri
Midfielder | 160cm | 14/02/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 6 clearances, 5 inside 50s

Once again leading the way in the absence of midfield skipper Kiara Boyd, Olivieri showed her pair of clean hands and great strength around the coalface by feeding out the ball to teammates on the regular. Her brilliant spin away from a would-be tackler in the fourth term – which was unfortunately turned over by foot – and her goal assist to Dixon late in the game, were among her highlights. She buzzed around the ground and got involved both inside and outside, while transitioning the ball inside 50 consistently.

#7 Jacinta Eteuati
Defender | 169cm | 27/05/2008

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s

A regular contributor and interceptor off half back, Eteuati did much of the same once again. She got to the right spots, positioned herself well and was able to send the ball back up the field. Made a few clangers along the way, but as a whole was able to provide pivotal drive from the back half of the ground. A smart player with upside who has some eye-catching traits.

#16 Piper Dixon
Forward | 158cm | 16/10/2008

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 5 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 3 goals, 2 behinds

Dixon’s return from a long-term injury continued with another great game, and arguably the best of the lot. The top-age State Draft Combine invitee slotted three goals from five scoring shots, and was able to win five clearances despite essentially playing that hybrid forward role. Her aerial prowess was in display with a great clunk late in the fourth term to convert her third goal, while her defensive pressure was elite, laying eight tackles and consistently pumping the ball in dangerous positions for her teammates.

#18 Nartasha Elbayeh
Wing | 167cm | 01/05/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s

Providing some dare and dash off a wing as always, Elbayeh found space and was able to transition the ball forward with regularity. Elbayeh ran hard from defence to attack, was strong overhead and able to be a real offensive threat. Her kicking was hit and miss with some turnovers to accompany her neat passes, but that will come.

#42 Aluk Kuol
Ruck | 191cm | 10/07/2008

Stats: 19 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles, 26 hitouts, 4 clearances

The best performance of her season, Kuol had a day out through the ruck, and for a change not just in the hitouts. The 191cm top-ager is always going to be a difficult task for any opposition, and against undersized opponents, Kuol had a field day. However, it was her ground level work that caught the eye, able to win it well below her knees and fire out handballs, while also taking a number of strong marks. Her development from pure tap ruck to getting involved in second efforts and being a target continues to progress.

GWV REBELS:

#1 Ivy Roberts
Defender/Midfielder | 174cm | 06/06/2009

Stats: 27 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 9 rebound 50s

A versatile player who can step up across any line, Roberts was primarily stationed in defence and then moved on-ball where she was able to find the ball consistently around the contest. Roberts took some kickouts early, and was also the source of transitional running from defence, while predominantly clearing the danger from repeat Jets inside 50s. Able to win the pill herself as well as be a handball receive option, she is one to watch for next year.

#6 Peggy Rock
Forward/Midfielder | 166cm | 20/07/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

The Northern Territory prospect spent most of her time forward aside from some rotations on-ball, and was able to hit the scoreboard in the first term with a brilliant finish from just inside 50 and an air guitar celebration to match. Has the knack of spinning out of trouble either side given her ambidexterity and while she can turn the ball over if under pressure, can gain valuable metres. Was a strong marking target in the front half and her fierce defensive pressure was on show once more.

#10 Sarah Burton
Defender/Midfielder | 11/02/2009

Stats: 16 disposals, 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 4 rebound 50s

Like quite a few of the Rebels prospects, Burton started in defence and then moved on-ball in the second half. She has spent time across all thirds, and possessing great defensive attributes and a neat kick, is a name to keep tabs on for 2027. Burton is happy to switch play and open up the angles when available, and was a contributor in turning the ball from defence into offence.

#17 Milly Shortal
Defender/Midfielder | 175cm | 24/06/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 6 rebound 50s

Returning to the side after missing the last couple of weeks, Shortal started in defence then rolled into the midfield during the third term. Her booming kick and ability to break tackles and clear the immediate danger were on show, and her sheer strength against smaller opponents was telling. Her metres gained with each kick overrides the less consistent preciseness of the disposals, and she consistently looked to break lines coming out of the back half. Finished off her top-age season on a high ahead of testing at the State Draft Combine.

#33 Tilly McErlain
Forward/Wing | 166cm | 11/05/2010

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 6 inside 50ss, 3 rebound 50s

A promising double bottom-ager who caught the eye at the Under 16s Development Championships, McErlain capped off her debut season in Rebels colours with a solid game. While not winning a high volume of touches, each time she won the ball she looked dangerous, providing run between the arcs, while her vision and execution was fantastic. A prospect with elite speed and some eye-catching traits to match.