Coates Talent League replays: Geelong Falcons vs Oakleigh Chargers in boys, girls fixtures

Wild winds made conditions testing for the young guns of the Coates Talent League, with the Geelong Falcons and Oakleigh Chargers splitting honours. Watch the boys and girls REPLAYS.

Oakleigh flexed its muscles with a defensive masterclass to grind Geelong to a standstill in the girls’ Coates League at Avalon Airport Oval.

Blustery conditions made kicking for goal difficult, but despite 12 behinds they were still able to open up a comprehensive 30-point buffer at the break, keeping the Falcons scoreless.

Geelong showed more resistance in the second half and was able to kick a couple goals of their own, but as has been the case for much of the season, it was Oakleigh’s day as they ran out 6.16 (52) to 2.0 (12) winners.

Geelong Falcons vs Oakleigh Chargers —AFL Coates Talent League Round 15 (Boys)

A hot start and even better finish from Geelong proved too much for Oakleigh to handle as the Falcons boys raced away with a dominant Coates League victory at Avalon Airport Oval.

Despite kicking eight behinds in the first term, the Falcons were able to open up an 18-point lead through one quarter, as the Chargers were able to knock just one point off that deficit at halftime.

That is as close as they would get as Geelong raced away with things in the second half to record a comprehensive 18.8 (126) to 8.8 (56) victory.

PREVIEW

Geelong Falcons coach Mel Hickey understands the importance defence will play in quelling a high-octane Oakleigh Chargers offence.

With the Chargers two games clear at the top of the Coates Talent League girls ladder - and having kicked 22 more goals than the next best in the competition - it’s a stern test staring down on the sixth-placed Falcons at Avalon’s Chirnside on Sunday after a three-week break.

Catch all the action from the boys/girls double header LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV from 11am.

Check the full LIVE STREAM schedule below.

Losing to the Chargers by 30 points last month, the Falcons can’t afford the same start, after conceding five goals in the first quarter, which largely decided the game.

“I think we took really good confidence from our last three quarters against them,” Hickey said.

Sara Howley returns for Geelong this weekend.

“They just got out to a strong start… our defence will have to be at its best.”

The Chargers boast eight players, including captain and defender Sienna Tallariti and key forward Emma McDonald, in this year’s Vic Metro under-18 team (which defeated Hickey’s Vic Country side last Sunday).

There are similarities in the way both teams play, with an emphasis on a high number of handball receives and accuracy a real strength.

With top draft prospect Sara Howley and captain Mekah Morrissy among six Falcons to return to the program off Vic Country duties, the likes of ruck Hayley Peck and winger Lucy Marescuk, who trialled for state honours, will look to regain their form from before the break.

“They earnt that trial opportunity from their really good form,” Hickey said.

“Hayley, as our 19-year-old, has been awesome and earnt her (AFLW) train-on opportunity at the Cats.

“And Lucy I thought, the rate of her improvement over the last 12 months has been so impressive.

“We know her running capacity and speed is her real weapon and that’s been great to have her on the wing and really use that.”

Ava Bilyk is creating a big impression.

Team selection pressure is also ramping up at Geelong, with a trio of the Falcons’ talented 16-year-old crop, Ava Bilyk, Greea McKeegan, Jayme Lasky, all playing before the break.

“When they come in and perform the way they did, they just keep earning more opportunities,” Hickey said.

“So it puts a fair bit of selection pressure on the coaches and the rest of the playing group when your bottom-agers are playing really well.”