Murray Bushrangers 2024 Coates Talent League Girls list breakdown
The Murray Bushrangers are looking for a dramatic improvement as a girls team. We analyse every player in the squad.
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Murray Bushrangers coach Emma Mackie is hoping last year’s disappointment of not having anyone drafted from the girls team is a one off and the talent from the region can be recognised.
But she admits it will take time for the program to start replicating the boys’ efforts.
The girls only won one game all season in 2023.
“Our region, it is still very much a growing space in terms of AFL women,” Mackie said.
“It’s something which will take time to get it to where we want it to be.
“It was a little disappointing not getting anybody drafted but I had to take a step back and ask where is the program at, where are the players in the region at, and where do we need to get it to.
“It is a rebuild, a reboot, it’s working towards a goal in five years that we are going to be a strong program which is a feeding system to the AFL Women’s competition or the VFL women’s competition.”
But Mackie was confident this year could be great for the team.
“We all feel last year was a really big learning experience and really new program for the regions,” Mackie said.
“Having that under our belt and coming into this year, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in what we’ve been able to bring into the program and the strengths coming from that. “The squad I have got this year is definitely ahead of last year.”
Mackie hopes it leads to more wins and more players getting noticed from recruiters.
Here is a look at all the players in the Bushrangers team for this year as coach Mackie helps breaks them all down.
Ellie Armstrong, Shepparton Swans
She is a strong, competitive inside midfield player.
Lyla Bell, Lavington
She is a new addition coming from water polo. Lyla is an exciting player who has picked up the skills of the game really quickly. Given her height she will play in the ruck for us this year and is developing very well.
Bella Browne, Thurgoona
A player who has developed dramatically from last year. She has strong kicking skills and a good understanding of the game, Bella has become a natural leader within the squad this year.
Rain Dodd, Wodonga Raiders
Played for Vic Country in the under-16 last year. She is a strong midfielder/forward and has excellent skills and great leadership on the field with her voice.
Holly Egan, Shepparton Swans
A Victoria Country hub member. Holly is an exciting player. It’s been a pleasure to see her not only develop as a player but also as a person. She is strong out of the backline, a strong mark and has an effective kick. Holly’s sister Grace plays for Richmond AFLW and she’s hoping to follow in her sister’s footsteps.
Scarlet Galvin, Lavington
She has developed her skills quickly and is a player to watch this year. She is strong athletically and has good fundamentals, which will hopefully see her take her footy to the next level this year.
Charli Guppy, Shepparton United
A developing player, Guppy is a pleasure to coach and always has a smile.
Ellie Hall, Thurgoona
She is one of the most talented players on our list. We share Ellie with GWS as she lives just across the border. Ellie is coming back from an ACL injury but is already showcasing her strengths with strong results at the recent AFL testing day ranking second in NSW for the yoyo.
Matilda Henderson, Shepparton United
A talented small forward who understands the game with strong fundamental skills.
Jazmine Holdsworth, Murray Felines
She can play back or forward, Jazmine has strong fundamental skills.
Laytoyal Holdsworth, Murray Felines
A forward player with strong skills at the contest and by foot.
Laura Hovar, Thurgoona
She is coming back from an ACL injury last year. Has worked her backside off to get back to almost playing fitness.
Madison Ibrahim, Murray Felines
Ibrahim is currently in the Vic Country hub. She is a fast, a strong outside player and clean skills below the knees. Will be exciting to watch Madi take her game to the next level this year, another very dedicated player who is making the most of every opportunity this year.
Tahli Jackson, Wodonga Bulldogs
A talented netballer and one of the faster runners on our squad. Has development well in her footy.
Payten Johnston, Shepparton Swans
Our only under-19 player this year and Payten is a very talented gymnast. She had three top five results at the recent AFL testing day including the vertical jump, which was a surprise given her height. Payten has strong skills especially by foot. She is looking to develop her football further and can hopefully get some training time with a VFLW club during the year.
Isabella Klein, Thurgoona
A defender who is strong aerially and athletically.
Tessa Lidgerwood, Wodonga Raiders
Tessa can play in the ruck given her height and also plays in the forward or backline. She’s coming back from a back injury but has been putting in the work to continue to develop as a player.
Hannah Loughnan, Murray Felines
A crafty small forward player who was part of the under-16 Vic Country squad last year.
Molly McLaren, Lavington
One of our most determined players, Molly has a lot of passion and is a natural leader. She was the winner of our best and fairest last year and was one of the youngest players. A strong inside midfield player.
Claudia Plattfuss, Nathalia
Claudia is a new addition to the squad and football. Showcasing great strengths in the ruck position.
Nikhita Spiteri, Wodonga Raiders
Represented Vic Country under-16s last year. Nikhita is an exciting player with a lot of potential. She’s strong in the forward line and knows where the goals are.
Neeve Taylor, Wodonga Bulldogs
A talented netballer who now plays football for us. She brings her athletic skills across to footy and is a strong addition to the team.
Amelie Thompson, Wangaratta Rovers
A player who continues to develop in all aspects of the game.
Ava Whitfield, Lavington
She is also a new addition to the squad. Ava has showed some strong strengths all round and will be exciting to see her develop further this year.
Hayley Whitsed, Wodonga Raiders
A new addition to the squad this year. A very talented runner and she has picked up the fundamentals of the game really quickly.
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