THE ultimate 2021 NAB League Girls home-and-away round was completed over the weekend, with finals fixtures locked in as each region returned after nearly a month away from competition. For some teams, Round 9 presented the opportunity to finish their season of a high, while those in the postseason hunt were able to get back up to speed on the eve of finals. Catch up on the action from all seven games in our weekend wrap.<\/p>\n
\u2014<\/p>\n
GEELONG FALCONS 3.3 | 3.3 | 5.5 | 7.6 (48)<\/b>
\n<\/b>CALDER CANNONS 0.1 |\u00a0 1.4 | 3.5 | 4.5 (29)<\/b><\/p>\n
By: Declan Reeve<\/em><\/p>\n One of the most important matches in regards to finals for the round did not disappoint for viewers, as Geelong Falcons continued their good pre-break form to topple Calder Cannons by 19 points. The Falcons ended with 7.6 (48) to 4.5 (29) against a determined Calder side, who despite the scoreboard looked right in it throughout the contest, with some passages of slick ball movement through the midfield.<\/span><\/p>\n With a total of 16 girls playing for Country or Metro in the recent U17\u2019s and U19\u2019s representative games between these two sides, it comes as no surprise that the game was entertaining viewing, with both teams having plenty of contributors throughout the game.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Falcons can thank <\/span>Renee Tierney <\/b>and <\/span>Poppy Schaap <\/b>for their multiple goals, with Schaap also noticeable around the ground as a pressure player and ball winner. <\/span>Ingrid Houtsma <\/b>also bobbed up at some crucial moments, using it well along with midfielder <\/span>Tess Craven <\/b>who again found ways to control the tempo. <\/span>Elizabeth Dowling <\/b>and <\/span>Annie Lee <\/b>were rock solid in defence, moving it well into the middle of the ground, with bottom-aged defender <\/span>Taiya Morrow <\/b>also taking some strong intercept marks.<\/span><\/p>\n The Cannons were unsurprisingly served well by the ever consistent midfield trio of <\/span>Georgie Prespakis, Emelia Yassir <\/b>and <\/span>Zali Friswell<\/b> who all battled hard around the ground to create anything they could. Bottom-agers <\/span>Tahlia Read <\/b>and <\/span>Abbey McDonald <\/b>also had good performances splitting their time between the forwardline and the midfield, both showing that they\u2019re ready to step up into a more permanent move next season, whilst <\/span>Jessica Zakkour <\/b>contributed two goals for Calder.<\/span><\/p>\n GOALS:<\/b><\/p>\n <\/b><\/b>Geelong: <\/b>R. Tierney 3, P. Schapp 2, K. Hardingman, I. Houtsma DC BEST:<\/b><\/p>\n <\/b>Geelong:<\/b> E. Dowling, <\/span>P. Schapp,\u00a0 I. Houtsma, T. Craven, R. Tierney, A. Lee DC MEDAL VOTES:<\/b><\/p>\n 5 – Elizabeth Dowling (Geelong Falcons)<\/span> —<\/p>\n DANDENONG STINGRAYS 2.1 | 3.3 | 5.3 | 7.3 (45)<\/strong> By: Michael Alvaro<\/em><\/p>\n The Northern Knights flexed their muscle ahead of the most important stage of their premiership defence, defeating the highly fancied Dandenong Stingrays by 14 points on Saturday. While the Knights lead at every break, three-goal efforts in the second and fourth terms saw them break away at crucial stages, especially after the Stingrays cut the margin to a single straight kick at three quarter time. In the end, the reigning premiers notched a terrific pre-finals win on the road, 9.5 (59) to 7.3 (45).<\/p>\n Both sides had an even spread of contributors, comprising of usual suspects and prospects on the rise. Maeve Chaplin<\/strong> returned from an excellent Under 19 national carnival in good form, enjoying more time around the ball with Ava Jordan<\/strong>. Tannah Hurst<\/strong> stood up in an important repelling role, while tall Phoebe Nelson<\/strong> clunked five marks and the 2005-born Molly McErlain<\/strong> notched her best performance to date. Three Knights finished with two goals, as Rylie Wilcox<\/strong> snared one and performed well.<\/p>\n For Dandenong, bottom-age standout Emily Shepherd<\/strong> led all comers with 24 touches in a top outing, while Ashleigh Richards<\/strong> booted two majors from her 15 touches and five marks. Elsewhere, Felicity Crank<\/strong>‘s rich vein of form continued, as Abbey Jordan<\/strong> and Charley Ryan<\/strong> pitched in well, and Mikayla Williamson<\/strong> and Sarah Hosking<\/strong> also earned votes from the Stingrays staff for their efforts.<\/p>\n In the first week of finals, Northern will take on Eastern Ranges on Saturday afternoon at Warrawee Park, while the Stingrays will host Geelong Falcons in a second-straight game at Shepley Oval.<\/p>\n GOALS:<\/strong><\/p>\n Dandenong:<\/strong> A. Liddle 2, A. Richards 2, C. Blair, H. Monk, B. Lyne DC BEST:<\/strong><\/p>\n Dandenong:\u00a0<\/strong>A. Richards, E. Shepherd, F. Crank, M. Williamson, A. Jordan, S. Hosking DC MEDAL VOTES:<\/strong><\/p>\n 5 – Maeve Chaplin (Northern Knights) —<\/p>\n GWV REBELS 1.2 | 1.5 | 2.6 | 2.6 (18)<\/strong> By: Declan Reeve<\/em><\/p>\n In a rare contest where the two sides will be facing each other again just a week later, Tasmania Devils knocked off the Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels by 23 points, for what they\u2019ll be hoping is the first of two wins over their opposition. The result secured the top spot in the Tasmania\/Victoria Country pool for the Devils, earning them a match against the fourth-placed Rebels in the first week of the NAB League Girls finals series. The final scores were 2.6 (18) to 6.5 (41).<\/span><\/p>\n Amy Prokopiec<\/strong> was well assisted by her midfield teammates, with <\/span>Perri King, Claire Ransom, Olivia Smith, Meghan Gaffney <\/b>and <\/span>Ella Maurer <\/b>all performing well through the contest against a strong and contested GWV midfield group, along with <\/span>Shania Saward <\/b>who impacted up either end. The Rebels had their fair share of contributors as well, with <\/span>Lilli Condon <\/b>and <\/span>Tahlia Meier <\/b>standing up through the midfield, using their speed to get the ball moving. <\/span>Nyakoat Dojiok <\/b>and <\/span>Molly Walton <\/b>were solid in defence all day, rebounding and intercepting well whilst <\/span>Ella Friend <\/b>was also strong when down there, but also played on the wing and through the midfield at times.<\/span><\/p>\n GOALS:<\/b><\/p>\n GWV: <\/b>P. Scott, Z. Larkins DC BEST:<\/b><\/p>\n GWV: <\/b>L. Condon, T. Meier, E. Friend, N. Dojiok, M. Walton DC MEDAL VOTES:<\/b><\/p>\n 5 – Perri King (Tasmania)<\/span> —<\/p>\n EASTERN RANGES 0.0 | 3.1 | 5.2 | 5.2 (32)<\/strong> By: Peter Williams<\/em><\/p>\n Eastern Ranges have secured a comfortable 25-point victory over Northern Territory Thunder to lock up seconds spot in the metropolitan pool as a result. After the Thunder got the jump on the Ranges thanks to a goal from Madison Harris<\/strong> in the first term, it was all Eastern from then on, scoring 5.2 to 0.0 for the remainder of the game. The Ranges led by 12 points at half-time, and kicked on to win by just over four goals.<\/p>\n Georgia Wilson<\/strong> slotted two majors for the winners, while Jorja Livingstone<\/strong> joined regular scoreboard contributors Alyssia Pisano<\/strong> and Matilda Hardy<\/strong> as goalkickers. Keeley Sherar<\/strong> was her productive self, as Ruby O’Dwyer<\/strong>, Bridget Deed<\/strong> and Livingstone all found plenty of the footy. Georgia Campbell<\/strong> and Jess Grace<\/strong> took control to dominate the ruck, while Mia Busch<\/strong> and Isabelle Khoury<\/strong> were also impressive.<\/p>\n For the Thunder, Djimila Totham<\/strong> was named best-on for her defensive work, while Tatyana Perry<\/strong> and Shanoah Leedie<\/strong> were also impressive with Allies representatives, Kasey Marsden<\/strong> and Grace Mulvahil<\/strong>, and past representative Bella Clarke<\/strong>. The result marks the end of the two-game campaign for the Thunder, whilst the Ranges will go on to play Northern Knights in the first week of finals next weekend.<\/p>\n GOALS:<\/strong><\/p>\n Eastern:<\/strong> G. Wilson 2, J. Livingstone, A. Pisano, M. Hardy DC BEST:<\/strong><\/p>\n Eastern:<\/strong> M. Busch, K. Sherar, R. O’Dwyer, B. Deed, J. Livingstone DC MEDAL VOTES:<\/strong><\/p>\n 5 – Mia Busch (Eastern Ranges) —<\/p>\n WESTERN JETS 4.0 | 5.1 | 7.6 | 8.8 (56)<\/strong> By: Michael Alvaro<\/em><\/p>\n Western Jets capped off their season with a belting win over the Bendigo Pioneers on Saturday afternoon, soaring 44 points to the good by the final siren of both sides’ campaigns. The Jets lead from the first goal and hardly gave the Pioneers a sniff at the other end, keeping them without a major score until the final term. Forward firepower was a key factor for the winners, with their 8.8 (56) total one point shy of a season high, while notching their best defensive effort to restrict Bendigo to 1.6 (12).<\/p>\n Bottom-age gun Charlotte Baskaran<\/strong> returned alongside Montana Ham<\/strong> from Under 19 representative duties in fine form, leading all comers as both players made a sizeable splash. The marking of Caitlin Sargent<\/strong> was a feature up forward as she booted a game-high four goals, while the dynamic Jemima Woods<\/strong> snared two. Usual defender Ciara Singleton<\/strong> also got on the board with skipper Leah Spargo<\/strong>, while Trinity Skenderis<\/strong>, Kiera Whiley<\/strong>, and Laura Elliott<\/strong> were also solid in a terrific team effort.<\/p>\n For the Pioneers, it was an almost-day for 2006-born prospect Lucia Painter<\/strong>, who managed three behinds from 12 disposals in just her second NAB League appearance. Drew Ryan<\/strong> and Octavia Di Donato<\/strong> were among Bendigo’s best and led the disposal count, as the likes of Jemma Finning<\/strong>, Scarlett Orritt<\/strong>, and Tegan Williams<\/strong> also stood up at times in the heavy loss.<\/p>\n GOALS:<\/strong><\/p>\n Western:<\/strong> C. Sargent 4, J. Woods 2, L. Spargo, C. Singleton DC BEST:<\/strong><\/p>\n Western:<\/strong> C. Baskaran, C. Sargent, M. Ham, J. Woods, T. Skenderis, C. Singleton DC MEDAL VOTES:<\/strong><\/p>\n 5 – Charlotte Baskaran (Western Jets) —<\/p>\n OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 4.3 | 8.8 | 15.9 | 15.11 (101)<\/b> By: Declan Reeve<\/em><\/p>\n The final game of the year for Gippsland Power ended in a disappointing loss to ladder leaders Oakleigh Chargers at Warrawee Park, with Oakleigh holding the Power goalless for the game and scoreless for the first half in an unforgiving performance. The comprehensive display saw the Chargers run out 100-point victors, 15.11 (101) to 0.1 (1).<\/span><\/p>\n In an impressive display of teamwork, the Chargers had a total of nine individual goalkickers, as <\/span>Charlie Rowbottom <\/b>and <\/span>Amanda Ling <\/b>led the way with three each. Rowbottom in particular looked dangerous all game, she could\u2019ve had five or six had she been more accurate in front of goal, with <\/span>Stella Reid <\/b>and debutant <\/span>Jasmine Fleming <\/b>also getting multiple goals for the Chargers. <\/span><\/p>\n The Power, despite not having any goalkickers, will be proud of the work of <\/span>Taylah Bourne <\/b>in the defensive 50, along with <\/span>Grace McRae <\/b>in the middle, not giving up despite the margin. Looking strong for next year, bottom-aged pair <\/span>Yasmin Duursma <\/b>and <\/span>Leesa Guastella <\/b>were also impressive throughout with their efforts.<\/span><\/p>\n GOALS:<\/b><\/p>\n Oakleigh: <\/b>C. Rowbottom 3, A. Ling 3, S. Reid 2, J. Fleming 2, E. James, A. Smith, H. Kennealy, K. James, B. Vickers DC BEST:<\/b><\/p>\n Oakleigh: <\/b>J. Fleming, C. Rowbottom, L. Hart, A. Ling, E. James, B. Vickers<\/span> DC MEDAL VOTES:<\/b>
\n<\/span>Calder: <\/b>J. Zakkour 2, O. Manfre, G. Prespakis,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Calder: <\/b>G. Prespakis, E. Yassir,\u00a0 T. Read, A. McDonald, Z. Friswell, J. Zakkour<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>4 – Georgie Prespakis (Calder Cannons)<\/span>
\n<\/span>3 – Emelia Yassir (Calder Cannons)<\/span>
\n<\/span>2 – Poppy Schapp (Geelong Falcons)<\/span>
\n<\/span>1 – Ingrid Houtsma (Geelong Falcons)<\/span><\/p>\n
\nNORTHERN KNIGHTS 3.0 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 9.5 (59)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nNorthern:<\/strong> C. Laurie 2, T. Mills 2, T. Smart 2, L. Jatczak, R. Wilcox, M. Girolami<\/p>\n
\nNorthern:\u00a0<\/strong>M. Chaplin, T. Hurst, P. Nelson, A. Jordan, M. McErlain, R. Wilcox<\/p>\n
\n4 – Ashleigh Richards (Dandenong Stingrays)
\n3 – Tannah Hurst (Northern Knights)
\n2 – Emily Shepherd (Dandenong Stingrays)
\n1 – Phoebe Nelson (Northern Knights)<\/p>\n
\nTASMANIA DEVILS 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 6.5 (41)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Tasmania: <\/b>A. Prokopiec 2, A. Bisset 2, E. Maurer, G. Clark<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Tasmania: <\/b>P. King, C. Ransom, O. Smith, S. Saward, A. Prokopiec\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>4 – Lilli Condon (GWV Rebels)<\/span>
\n<\/span>3 – Tahlia Meier (GWV Rebels)<\/span>
\n<\/span>2 – Claire Ransom (Tasmania)<\/span>
\n<\/span>1 – Ella Friend (GWV Rebels)<\/span><\/p>\n
\nNORTHERN TERRITORY 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 (7)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nNorthern Territory:<\/strong> M. Harris<\/p>\n
\nNorthern Territory:<\/strong> D. Totham, K. Marsden, T. Perry, B, Clarke, G. Mulvahil<\/p>\n
\n4 – Keeley Sherar (Eastern Ranges)
\n3 – Ruby O’Dwyer (Eastern Ranges)
\n2 – Djimila Totham (NT Thunder)
\n1 – Kasey Marsden (NT Thunder)<\/p>\n
\nBENDIGO PIONEERS 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 1.6 (12)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nBendigo:<\/strong> C. Mitchell<\/p>\n
\nBendigo:<\/strong> L. Painter, D. Ryan, O. Di Donato, S. Orritt, T. Williams, J. Finning<\/p>\n
\n4 – Caitlin Sargent (Western Jets)
\n3 – Montana Ham (Western Jets)
\n2 – Jemima Woods (Western Jets)
\n1 – Lucia Painter (Bendigo Pioneers)<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>GIPPSLAND POWER 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 (1)<\/b><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>Gippsland: <\/b>Nil<\/p>\n
\n<\/b>Gippsland: <\/b>T. Bourne, G. McRae, L. Guastella, Y. Duursma, T. Angwin, A. Guy-Toogood<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/b>
\n<\/b>5 – Jasmine Fleming (Oakleigh Chargers)<\/span>
\n<\/span>4 – Charlie Rowbottom (Oakleigh Chargers)<\/span>
\n<\/span>3 – Lily Hart (Oakleigh Chargers)<\/span>
\n<\/span>2 – Amanda Ling (Oakleigh Chargers)<\/span>