2023 Coates Talent League Girls: Round 9 wrap

GOLD Coast Suns Academy handed Oakleigh Chargers their first loss of the Coates Talent League Girls season as Brisbane Lions Academy also remained undefeated from its three games. Round 9 provided some one-sided contests, but also a couple of nail-biters and recap how it went down.

Dandenong Stingrays produced a dominant 107-point belting of Bendigo Pioneers, racking up 42 scoring shots to five. Keeping the Pioneers scoreless in the first quarter, the Stingrays raced out to a 39-point lead. After a tighter second term, the Stingrays got back on top in the second half to boot 10.11 to 2.0 and run out 17.25 (127) to 3.2 (20) winners.

STANDOUT: Kayla Dalgleish (Dandenong Stingrays)

The talented forward was able to have herself a game in the big win, kicking 2.1 from 24 disposals and setting up her teammates in the process. She brought the heat and had the offensive impact as well, making it an all-round performance from the bottom-ager.

OTHERS:

Finding the ball with ease, Meg Robertson racked up a game-high 33 disposals, as well as seven marks, six tackles, four inside 50s and booted 2.2. Athletic ruck Elli Symonds was again promising with 29 hitouts and seven inside 50s from 20 disposals, while Mikayla Williamson was lively. Forwards Sophie Butterworth and Jemma Reynolds both snagged three goals, as did Bendigo’s Gabrielle Drage from limited opportunities. Lexi Moss (24 disposals) was the major ball-winner for the Pioneers.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Kayla Dalgleish (Dandenong Stingrays)
4 – Meg Robertson (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – Elli Symonds (Dandenong Stingrays)
2 – Mikayla Williamson (Dandenong Stingrays)
1 – Jemma Reynolds (Dandenong Stingrays)

Brisbane Lions Academy went three from three in the Talent League with a strong 32-point win over Calder Cannons. It was a strange game where by half-time, the Lions had raced out to a four-goal lead. From that point on, just 1.3 to 0.1 was scored, but it was good enough for the visitors to win 6.6 (42) to 1.4 (10).

STANDOUT: Jacinta Baldwick (Lions Academy)

It was another hard-running effort from the Lions Academy midfielder who collected 19 disposals, laid seven tackles and had seven inside 50s. For the second consecutive week, Baldwick also hit the scoreboard in the win, in what was an even spread across the board.

OTHERS:

Both these sides have shared contributors across the board with ruck Lilly Baker having a season-high 15 disposals, while also recording 26 hitouts against multiple opponents. Skipper Laura Roy and forward Rania Crozier were again amongst the best. Kayley Kavanagh‘s wonderfully consistent season rolled on to again be among the best, while Maddison Albrecht and Bridie Collings also tried hard.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Jacinta Baldwick (Lions Academy)
4 – Lilly Baker (Lions Academy)
3 – Kayley Kavanagh (Calder Cannons)
2 – Maddison Albrecht (Calder Cannons)
1 – Laura Roy (Lions Academy)

Eastern Ranges bounced back from their first loss of the season to post a 51-point win over Western Jets in Williamstown. In challenging conditions, the sides were pretty accurate with the Ranges booting 10.5 (65) to the Jets’ 2.2 (14), in a solid four-quarter performance.

STANDOUT: Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)

The standout bottom-ager worked her way to another ball-winning display of brilliance, collecting 30 disposals – eight more than any other player – and laying 10 tackles. Her side went down in defeat, but not for the first time it was Grieves cracking in and doing all she could for the team.

OTHERS:

Eastern Ranges shared the ball around with plenty of contributors including Grace Belloni (22 disposals), Georgia Stubbs (18) and returning young gun Laura Stone (16). Paula Pavic was lively in the ruck, while Emma Stilve (three goals) took control up forward. Aside from Grieves, skipper Kiera Whiley was strong, while Hannah Brodie played her best game of the season.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Sierra Grieves (Western Jets)
4 – Grace Belloni (Eastern Ranges)
3 – Emma Stilve (Eastern Ranges)
2 – Paula Pavic (Eastern Ranges)
1 – Georgia Stubbs (Eastern Ranges)

Northern Knights hit the ton against Murray Bushrangers, cruising to an 88-point win at Preston City Oval. The Knights looked destined for all sorts of records when they headed into the main break with a 10.10 (70) to 0.0 (0) lead. The Bushrangers came out with renewed vigour and kicked the only two goals of the third term, before the Knights finished off with four in the last quarter to hit the milestone, 14.16 (100) to 2.0 (12).

STANDOUT: Ava Jordan (Northern Knights)

In what was easily her best game of the year, Jordan slotted four goals from 19 touches and was the most damaging on the field. She worked through the midfield as well to set up her teammates and was rewarded for her efforts in front of goal with fantastic forward craft.

OTHERS:

Sisters Zoe Hargreaves (29 disposals, two goals) and Phoebe Hargreaves (15 disposals, three goals) were outstanding once again, while Lauren Jatczak (25 disposals, 29 hitouts) controlled the ruck. Tahlia Plunkett (29 disposals, two goals), Suwindi Buckley (23 disposals, seven tackles) and Scarlett Johnson (20 disposals, two goals) were also prominent. For the Bushrangers, Holly Egan was the best, while Emma Suckling also tried hard.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Ava Jordan (Northern Knights)
4 – Zoe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
3 – Phoebe Hargreaves (Northern Knights)
2 – Lauren Jatczak (Northern Knights)
1 – Holly Egan (Murray Bushrangers)

It was a long time coming but Sandringham Dragons finally got to sing the song post-match with a hard-fought 12-point win over Tasmania Devils at RSEA Park. In tough conditions, the Dragons lead at each of the breaks but never really had too much breathing room, kicking the final goal after the game was over in a 3.8 (26) to 2.2 (14) victory.

STANDOUT: Mackenzie Williams (Tasmania Devils)

The Tasmania Devils defender was relentless against the flow, trying her best to clear the ball from the defensive area, and ended up with 31 disposals in the process. Getting into the right positions to win the ball, Williams took seven marks and had six rebound 50s, while laying five tackles as well.

OTHERS:

Sandringham had an even team performance across the board, with Judie Goldman (29 disposals) the crucial inside cog using the ball by hand, while ruck Ruby Dale (22 disposals, 17 hitouts) was also strong. Emily Gough and Scout Howden were also among the better Dragons, while Madison Lamb and Devils skipper Candice Belbin both tried hard defensively.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Mackenzie Williams (Tasmania Devils)
4 – Judy Goldman (Sandringham Dragons)
3 – Emily Gough (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – Ruby Dale (Sandringham Dragons)
1 – Scout Howden (Sandringham Dragons)

Gippsland Power gained its second win in three matches by defeating GWV Rebels after heartbreakingly going down to Calder Cannons last week. The Power trailed at half-time and three quarter time by two points, but this time were the ones finishing strong, kicking two goals in the last quarter to win, 4.6 (30) to 2.7 (19).

STANDOUT: Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)

Centra was enormous in the win, standing tall as she collected a massive 33 disposals and clunked nine marks, while having five rebound 50s and laying three tackles. She has threatened to take control a game throughout the season, and did so against the Rebels, earning our Player of the Week.

OTHERS:

Fellow defenders Ella Stoddart (26 disposals, eight rebound 50s) and Amber Schutte (20 disposals, five rebound 50s) were both prominent, while Alisha Molesworth had 22 disposals and laid six tackles in the win. Millie Lang was steadfast in defence taking seven marks from 25 disposals, while Jessica Rentsch and Tyla Crabtree were also among the best.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Ash Centra (Gippsland Power)
4 – Ella Stoddart (Gippsland Power)
3 – Millie Lang (GWV Rebels)
2 – Jess Rentsch (GWV Rebels)
1 – Amber Schutte (Gippsland Power)

Geelong Falcons’ blistering form in the Coates Talent League continued against Northern Territory Academy, storming to a 79-point victory at LaTrobe University in Bundoora. The Falcons never looked like losing, taking control early and running away 12.17 (89) to 1.4 (10) winners.

STANDOUT: Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)

Yet again it was Howley doing the running as she clocked up a casual 40 touches in the big win as Geelong dominated possession. Along with her 40 disposals, Howley pumped the ball inside 50 14 times nad kicked 1.1 as well. Her 2023 season form continues to build.

OTHERS:

Riding shotgun to Howley’s efforts was skipper Chloe Adams who had 31 disposals and 11 inside 50s, playing more offensive in the game. Up forward, Chantal Mason and Bella Gilham both kicked four goals again, while Johanna Sunderland was solid in defence. Tatyana Perry was again the pick of the Territory talents, collecting 21 disposals, five marks and nine rebound 50s, while Kierra Zerafa and Ciaralii Parnell finished with 20 touches apiece.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Sara Howley (Geelong Falcons)
4 – Chloe Adams (Geelong Falcons)
3 – Johanna Sunderland (Geelong Falcons)
2 – Chantal Mason (Geelong Falcons)
1 – Tatyana Perry (Northern Territory)

The match of the round lived up to expectations with Gold Coast Suns Academy posting a two-point win over Oakleigh Chargers, handing the Chargers their first loss of the season. Neck-and-neck throughout the match, the Suns kicked away to a 10-point lead at the final break, and while Oakleigh charged home, the Suns held on in the final few minutes to take the victory and remain undefeated, 7.6 (48) to 6.10 (46).

STANDOUT: Ava Usher (Suns Academy)

Prominent for the second week in a row, Usher was able to earn another five votes after 19 touches, four marks, nine tackles, six inside 50s and a goal. She worked up and down the field playing through midfield and attack, and was crucial in crunch moments.

OTHERS:

The Suns tall timber in Georja Davies (16 disposals, 33 hitouts) and Havana Harris (18 disposals, eight hitouts) were both strong around the ground clunking five marks each. For the Chargers, Emma McDonald was again the Chargers’ best with 16 disposals, nine marks and 2.3 in the narrow loss, while Sienna Tallariti stood up in defence, collecting 24 disposals and 12 rebound 50s.

RMC MEDAL VOTES:

5 – Ava Usher (Suns Academy)
4 – Emma McDonald (Oakleigh Chargers)
3 – Georja Davies (Suns Academy)
2 – Havana Harris (Suns Academy)
1 – Sienna Tallariti (Oakleigh Chargers)