By Jonty Ralphsmith
The continuity of a season in the role and another year of development for female junior footy in the region has Gippsland Power coach Nathan Boyd optimistic for 2024.
The Power was last year excited about its 15-17-year-old talent, giving those girls plenty of exposure in the Coates League, which is set to give the side a strong platform for 2024.
Gippsland announced its girls list last week, with 30 players in the under-18 squad, with several 16-year-olds set to be elevated as the season wears on.
Possible number one pick Ash Centra headlines the squad, after being named Vic Country MVP as a bottom-aged player last season, while fellow Vic Country representative Jas Sowden is also set to capture attention.
Dandenong Premier Cricketer Acacia Sutton is also listed, and will mix her footy with APS Footy for Wesley College in 2024.
The coaching group has remained stable, with the addition of former player Alisha Molesworth to the under-16 program, with that steadiness ensuring there is strong intel about local talent.
Boyd has been impressed by the preseason of Bunyip’s Rebecca Fitzpatrick
“She’s come back really fit and she bounces around, her energy is infectious,” he said.
“She’s one of the best trainers when it comes to the contest and competitive situations and is doing really well.
“She’s a real competitor – we’ll have a look at her as a half/forward mid and shutdown defender after she did a job on (2023 leading goalkicker Alyssia) Pisano last year and we liked what she did.”
Gippsland had one girl drafted last season, Jas Sowden to Collingwood, with the season set to begin on Sunday 14 April against Murray at Highgate.
Of the 30 listed, 14 are from the local region, including four from Pakenham.
The under-16 list of 24 includes 10 locals, and their season got underway on Saturday with a 7.3 45 to 9.4 58 loss to Murray.
Beaconsfield pair Lily Milner and Mia Smith-Clark were named among the best.
Below is a full list of players from the region, and words from the coach about each Pakenham junior.
Abby Hobson: “She’s shown growth on last year. She has strong hands in the air and is able to get to and impact contests and gives us a great target moving forward.”
Ash Perkins: “Has come in off the back of strong under-16 games last year. She’s really fit and she gets around the ball and finds it quite easily and when she does get it, she’s powerful.”
Jayda Tannahill: “She’s shown some really good bounce and has given us explosiveness off the halfback line through match sim. She keeps fronting up and is going well.”
Bonnie Williams: “Coming off multiple knee issues, she got the all clear to play in an intra-club a couple of weeks ago. Played on the wing and was so clean when the ball was in her area. She’s able to win the ball and find it in traffic and is able to get out of traffic as well. I’m really excited to see her keep building.”
Ava Deszcz (Under-16): “She is chomping at the bit. We want to unleash her. She’s training well and brings great energy; she’s a high-vibes sort of player. Last year with the under-16s she took a little bit of a back seat but she’s ahead of the pile at the moment. She will play a little bit of midfield and forward and will put her case forward to play under-18s as the year progresses.”
OTHER LOCAL UNDER-18s LISTED
Shae Langley (Narre North Foxes)
Holly Cassidy (Bunyip)
Luka Butters (Warragul Industrials)
Lilly Leighton (Warragul Industrials)
Milla Laub (Dalyston)
Rebecca Fitzpatrick (Bunyip)
Addison Howe (Warragul Industrials)
Shanelle Kingston (Nar Nar Goon)
Charlize Dent (Warragul Industrials)
OTHER LOCAL UNDER-16s LISTED
Other local under-16s listed
Mia Smith-Clark (Beaconsfield)
Lily Milner (Beaconsfield)
Miley Norbury Nar Nar Goon)
Rianna Jinnete (Warragul Industrials)
Jamie Chapman (Warragul Industrials)
Amy Boote (Warragul Industrials)
Abigail Baker (Officer)
Stephanie Dickinson (Officer)
Kira Wilson (Warragul Industrials)
UNDER 18 FIXTURE
Sunday 14 April: Gippsland v Murray, Highgate
Saturday 20 April: Gippsland v Sydney Academy, Shepley Oval
Saturday 27 April: Dandenong v Gippsland, Shepley Oval
Saturday 4 May: Gippsland v Western, Morwell
Sunday 12 May: GWV v Gippsland, La Trobe University
Sunday 19 May: Geelong v Gippsland, La Trobe University
Sunday 26 May: Gippsland v Sandringham, Morwell
Bendigo v Gippsland, TBC (weekend 1-2 June)
Sunday 23 June: Tasmania v Gippsland, Shepley Oval
Gippsland v Bendigo, TBC (weekend) 20-21 July)
Sunday 28 July: Western v Gippsland, Avalon Airport Oval
Saturday 3 August: Gippsland v GWV, ETU Stadium
Sunday 18 August: Gippsland v Murray, Highgate
Saturday 24 August: Gippsland v Dandenong, Morwell
