The six teams from metropolitan Victoria commenced their 2023 campaigns in Round 3 of the Coates Talent League Girls season.
Calder Cannons made a winning start to the year by downing Sandringham Dragons by 10 points in a close tussle at Highgate Recreation Reserve. The Cannons kept the Dragons scoreless in the opening half, however three goals in the third term gave Sandringham the lead heading into three-quarter time. Two goals to Amy Trindade steered Calder to victory, with Jayla Rutley and Bridie Collings also instrumental in the win. Daisy Flockart and Ashley Van Rooyen were best for the Dragons.
GWS Giants Academy made it two wins on the trot by accounting for Bendigo Pioneers by 25 points at Queen Elizabeth Oval. The Giants did their work early and lead by four goals at half time, before keeping a determined Pioneers at bay in the second half. Emma Suckling, Ryeli Fleming and Melanie Staunton had great games for the Giants, while Licia Painter and Lila Keck were Bendigo's best.
Oakleigh Chargers made an early statement with a big win over Geelong Falcons at Deakin University. The Falcons made a fast start and booted the opening two goals, before the Chargers took control and finished with the final 11 majors of the game. Maiya Stobie booted four goals for the victors, while Lara Hausegger and Lily Hart also had a major influence. Kiara Woods and Chloe Adams never gave up the fight for the Falcons.
Five unanswered goals in the first quarter helped the Northern Knights set up a 39-point win over Murray Bushrangers at Wangaratta Showgrounds. Mary Robinson and Scarlett Johnson led the early charge, each booting two goals in the opening term. The match was relatively even after the first change, however the Knights had done the damage early. Zoe Hargraeves, Lulu Beatty and Amber Sciacca had a big impact for Northern, while Molly McLaren and Paige Duffy were best for the Bushrangers.
Tasmania Devils moved to 2-0 to start the season after winning a competitive battle against the Western Jets by 16 points at Penguin's Dial Park. The home side trailed by one point at quarter time, but kicked six goals to three thereafter to notch their second-successive win. Georgia Clark and Grace White each kicked three goals, while Priya Bowering and Jasmyn Thompson were also influential. The Jets were well served by Sierra Grieves (32 disposals) and Ella Tyson.
Eastern Ranges produced an eye-catching display to start their season with a win against the Dandenong Stingrays. The Ranges score of 11.11 (77) was the highest produced for the round and helped them to a 46-point win in the first match of a double-header at Kilsyth Recreation Reserve on Sunday. Alyssia Pisano was the most prolific scorer and booted four goals, while Laura Stone and Grace Belloni both found plenty of the footy. Tahlia Sanger and Eleanor Butler were best for the Stingrays.
GWV Rebels made it two wins on the trot with a 50-point win over Gippsland Power. The Rebels were red-hot in the first half and kicked seven unanswered goals in the opening two quarters to lead by 46 points at the main break. The Power were much improved in the second half and were able to restrict the Rebels to just two majors after half time. Lily Jordan booted five goals for the Rebels, while Brook Ward and Laila Lappin also led the charge. Ahlee Penry and Amber Schutte were standout performers for the Power.
Match replays are available on the Coates Talent League app and at AFL On Demand.
Continue below for the results, best players, goal kickers and leading disposal winners.
CALDER CANNONS vs SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS
Saturday, April 1 at Highgate Recreation Reserve
Calder Cannons 1.2, 2.2, 2.5, 4.7 (31)
Sandringham Dragons 0.0, 0.0, 3.1, 3.3 (21)
Best
Calder Cannons: Amy Trindade, Jayla Rutley, Bridie Collings, Amy Gaylor, Kayley Kavanagh, Sarah Grunden
Sandringham Dragons: Daisy Flockart, Ashley Van Rooyen, Ruby Dale, Georgia Foran, Jasmine Shepherd, Maddison Torpey
Goals
Calder Cannons: Amy Trindade 2, Maddison Albrecht, Bridie Collings
Sandringham Dragons: Ruby Dale, Daisy Flockart, Alannah Fyfe
Disposals
Calder Cannons: Kayley Kavanagh (28), Bridie Collings (26), Kyla Forbes (25)
Sandringham Dragons: Daisy Flockhart (22), Scout Howden (20), Jasmine Shepherd (17)
BENDIGO PIONEERS vs GWS GIANTS ACADEMY
Saturday, April 1 at Queen Elizabeth Oval
Bendigo Pioneers 0.0, 1.4, 2.5, 4.6 (30)
GWS GIANTS Academy 3.3, 5.4, 8.6, 8.7 (55)
Best
Bendigo Pioneers: Lucia Painter, Lila Keck, Carlee Hazlett, Kelsey Laubsch, Emma Daley, Jemmika Douglas
GWS GIANTS Academy: Emma Suckling, Ryeli Fleming, Melanie Staunton, Bridget Corcoran, Sophia de Castella, Cleo Cook
Goals
Bendigo Pioneers: Eve Cail, Stephanie Demeo, Lila Keck, Brydi Lewis
GWS GIANTS Academy: Indiana Cook 2, Cleo Cook, Jaimee Kitchener, Ashley Patton, Amelie Prosser-Shaw, Tamika Rourke, Ammie Vamah
Disposals
Bendigo Pioneers: Lucia Painter (26), Jemmika Douglas (22), Lila Keck (20)
GWS GIANTS Academy: Sophia De Castella (22), Emma Suckling (22), Melanie Staunton (17)
GEELONG FALCONS vs OAKLEIGH CHARGERS
Saturday, April 1 at Deakin University
Geelong Falcons 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.2 (14)
Oakleigh Chargers 3.1, 6.3, 7.4, 11.6 (72)
Best
Geelong Falcons: Kiara Woods, Chloe Adams, Mekah Morrissy, Seisia White, Chantal Mason, Filomena Iannuzzi
Oakleigh Chargers: Lara Hausegger, Lily Hart, Maiya Stobie, Sienna Tallariti, Maggie Mahony, Amy Cariss-Brett
Goals
Geelong Falcons: Bella Gilham, Chantal Mason
Oakleigh Chargers: Maiya Stobie 4, Emma Robins, Sienna Tallariti 2, Amelie Gladman, Lily Hart, Maggie Mahony
Disposals
Geelong Falcons: Chloe Adams (31), Seisia White (18), Sara Howley (13), Kiara Woods (13)
Oakleigh Chargers: Maggie Mahony (30), Lara Hausegger (27), Sienna Tallariti (22)
MURRAY BUSHRANGERS vs NORTHERN KNIGHTS
Saturday, April 1 at Wangaratta Showgrounds
Murray Bushrangers 0.0, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1 (31)
Northern Knights 5.3, 6.5, 8.8, 10.10 (70)
Best
Murray Bushrangers: Molly McLaren, Paige Duffy, Asha Foubister, Madison Ibrahim, Payten Johnston, Sienna Curphey
Northern Knights: Zoe Hargreaves, Lulu Beatty, Amber Sciacca, Suwindi Buckley, Holly Ridewood, Mary Robinson
Goals
Murray Bushrangers: Rose Bell, Payten Johnston 2, Holly Egan
Northern Knights: Mary Robinson 3, Lauren Jatczak, Scarlett Johnson 2, Marlo Graham, Olivia Jesser, Amber Sciacca
Disposals
Murray Bushrangers: Kaylea Kobzan (20), Molly McLaren (16), Alice Voss (15)
Northern Knights: Phoebe Hargreaves (22), Evie Lee (22), Lulu Beatty (22)
TASMANIA DEVILS vs WESTERN JETS
Saturday, April 1 at Dial Park
Tasmania Devils 2.0, 4.1, 7.3, 8.5 (53)
Western Jets 2.1, 2.3, 3.6, 5.7 (37)
Best
Tasmania Devils: Priya Bowering, Jasmyn Thompson, Candice Belbin, Grace White, Georgia Clark, Natasha Furjanic
Western Jets: Sierra Grieves, Ella Tyson, Jade Cilia, Hannah Brodie, Sarah Dickie
Goals
Tasmania Devils: Georgia Clark, Grace White 3, Priya Bowering, Lucy Thompson
Western Jets: Tamara Henry 2, Sarah Dickie, Kiera Lee, Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner
Disposals
Tasmania Devils: Candice Belbin (27), Priya Bowering (17), Lucy Thompson (17)
Western Jets: Sierra Grieves (32), Lou-Lou Field (17)
EASTERN RANGES vs DANDENONG STINGRAYS
Sunday, April 2 at Kilsyth Recreation Reserve
Eastern Ranges 4.3, 5.6, 9.10, 11.11 (77)
Dandenong Stingrays 1.0, 2.3, 3.3, 4.7 (31)
Best
Eastern Ranges: Laura Stone, Grace Belloni, Grace Baba, Stasia Stevenson, Alyssia Pisano, Hayley McLaughlin
Dandenong Stingrays: Tahlia Sanger, Eleanor Butler, Mikayla Williamson, Elli Symonds, Jemma Ramsdale, Jemaya Bressan
Goals
Eastern Ranges: Alyssia Pisano 4, Georgia Knight 2, Grace Belloni, Mackenzie Bourne, Georgie Brisbane, Stasia Stevenson, Jess Vukic
Dandenong Stingrays: Jemaya Bressan, Sophie Butterworth, Abbey Dibben, Jemma Reynolds
Disposals
Eastern Ranges: Hayley McLaughlin (25), Laura Stone (25), Grace Belloni (21)
Dandenong Stingrays: Felicity Crank (21), Mikayla Williamson (18), Olivia Robinson (16)
GIPPSLAND POWER vs GWV REBELS
Sunday, April 2 at Kilsyth Recreation Reserve
Gippsland Power 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 1.4 (10)
GWV Rebels 3.2, 7.3, 8.5, 9.6 (60)
Best
Gippsland Power: Ahlee Penry, Amber Schutte, Siena Lane, Taylor Sowden, Elise Molesworth, Luka Butters
GWV Rebels: Brook Ward, Laila Lappin, Lily Jordan, Jessica Rentsch, Molly Walton, Charlotte Hill
Goals
Gippsland Power: Zahri Burn
GWV Rebels: Lily Jordan 5, Remy Callender 2, Claire Mahony, Jessica Rentsch
Disposals
Gippsland Power: Alisha Molesworth (24), Amber Schutte (22), Ashley Centra (20)
GWV Rebels: Laila Lappin (26), Molly Walton (23), Millie Lang (20)
Thanks to a partnership between AFL and News Corp, one boys and one girls game will be live streamed on KommunityTV each week. All remaining games will be live streamed on the Coates Talent League app, thanks to Telstra.
