GIPPSLAND Power overcame inaccuracy at times to storm to a 35-point win over Northern Knights in the Power’s last game of the 2026 Talent League Girls seasons. The Power kicked 1.10 in the last term, but it mattered little with nine goals to five across the first three quarters to record a 10.18 (78) to 6.7 (43) victory.

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

GIPPSLAND POWER:

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

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The strongly-built left footer was able to play an important role out of the back 50 and take a couple of intercept marks early in the first half, before pushing up the ground and pumping the ball forward. Her kicking can be a little hit and miss at times, but Kelly’s value comes in her run-and-gun style, as well as her aggression at the contest both in the air and at ground level. Not a heap of touches, but you notice each time she wins it.

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 goals, 2 behinds

It was a higher possession game from the Vic Country forward who has some seriously natural goal sense and forward craft about her game. She’s been a consistent contributor to the Power all season, and it was no different in the season finale. She booted two goals in the first term to race out of the blocks and provide a real spark for the home team, while working up the ground to get involved at different times. Smith-Clark set up two goals to Sienna Paul in the third term, constantly putting the ball into goal-scoring positions.

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

Stats: 27 disposals, 6 marks, 3 tackles, 7 clearances, 7 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Finding plenty of the ball in a big finish to an ultra-consistent year, Milner worked hard across the ground and constantly got involved in each third of the ground. Predominantly in the front half, Milner nailed a crafty snap midway through the final term, though her best work was done in congestion, using her stoppage smarts and spatial awareness to work out of clearances and pump the ball forward. Has a lot of developmental traits.

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal

The top-ager started in the middle before rotating forward throughout quarters, and linked up well in the front half. After winning teh first centre clearance of the day, Dillow made her mark by setting up Smith-Clark with a goal, then kicking one herself by pouncing on a Knights’ turnover. She had some chances that didn’t quite go to plan, and did get caught holding the ball by Meagher at one point as she tried to break forward, but overall looked dangerous and lively around the big sticks.

#14 Taylah Mizzi
Forward/Wing | 169cm | 12/06/2010

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 behinds

A really exciting double bottom-ager, Mizzi showed off her explosive speed and evasion throughout the game, and looms as a high impact-per-possession ball-winner thanks to her determination to run and carry. She spent time forward where she was able to have a couple of chances on goal, then rotated onto a wing where she held her own and provided the run her side needed. A really consistent four-quarter performance across multiple roles. A highlight was earning a free kick in the forward pocket late in the match when reading the kickout and jumping in front of the would-be target.

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

Stats: 29 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 6 clearances, 11 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 behind

The top disposal winner for her side again, Holmes not only lead all-comers in that stat, but also inside 50s. That pretty much sums up the way Holmes plays, with her ability to drive the ball forward at all costs. She has a nice burst about her, she moves well through congestion and with another preseason could be anything. Holmes always has moments you remember, and one such moment came in the first term where she burst off half-back kicked down the wing efficiently, burst past to receive the handball, kept running then kicked inside 50 to set up Smith-Clark with a goal. Almost kicked a goal herself late in the match from long-range but was just touched on the way through in the goalsquare.

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

#1 Somer McCormack
Midfielder/Forward | 162cm | 22/01/2008

Stats: 30 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 8 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 7 rebound 50s, 2 goals

An enormous performance from McCormack who arguably put in her best shift in the last game of the regular season. She racked up a game-high 30 disposals and eight clearances, showcasing her value around the stoppages. While not big, McCormack applies fantastic defensive pressure, and she is able to extract the ball with a bit of speed to-boot. McCormack kicked her first goal out of congestion midway through the first term, the nailed her second with a clever sidestep and some dancing feet in the third term. A really complete performance from the top-ager.

#2 Maddison Meagher
Wing/Midfielder | 164cm | 02/08/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 7 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 2 goals

Meagher got a taste for life on the inside late in the match when rotated on-ball to start the fourth term. She will always be suited to the outside having made the wing and even half-back at times her own, but applied her typical pressure at the coalface. Clearly in the top three Knights with McCormack and Stone, Meagher’s metres gained were very high again, and she was able to hit the scoreboard with two majors. Her first was a terrific goal to run just inside 50 and finish on the run from 35 metres, while her second came late in the game when she snuck forward to mark all alone and convert the set shot from close range. Defensively was huge, and is building a nice top-age CV.

#5 Lola Stone
Wing/Midfielder | 172cm | 27/05/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 10 marks, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Did her draft chances no harm with a really strong performance off a wing before, like Meagher, being moved inside for the final term. Her knack for finding space all around the ground was terrific, with Stone able to compete strongly in the air, and then apply similar pressure at ground level. Her best work was done in open spaces, while she was also able to hold a good line around the 50-metre arcs at both ends to be an option both as a target, and as an interceptor. Her incredible spoil at speed in the first term was a highlight.

#12 Deena Gerges
Midfielder/Forward | 175cm | 21/06/2010

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 2 hitouts, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 3 behinds

Not massive numbers by any means, but Gerges is another high impact-per-possession player with her skills and power around the stoppages highlights in her game. She can create some special moments forward of centre, and while her radar was a little off – and she was a bit unlucky – she still ahd her chances in front of goal. Finishing with just the three behinds, Gerges’ ability to extract the ball from the stoppages and pump the ball forward is always valuable given the range on her leg.

#17 Alli Allen
Defender | 172cm | 15/10/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 5 marks, 11 tackles, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

The Vic Metro MVP was her usual competitive self, applying copious amounts of tackles and ensuring that the Power players made sure they earned each touch when she was around. She gave away a 50-metre encroachment penalty in teh first term which resulted in a goal to Acacia Sutton, but other than that, was fierce at ground level, and continued to battle hard in the air. Her determination to win the ball for her side at all costs is a feature of her game, and Allen is usually a neat user with ball in hand.