Coates Talent League 2025 live stream: Northern Knights v Gippsland Power (Girls), Round 9

Gippsland extended its winning run to six straight Coates Talent League girls matches in a hard-fought battle with the Northern Knights on Saturday. Watch the REPLAY here.

While they faced a stiff challenge throughout, Gippsland Power did just enough to extend its unbeaten run to six straight matches in Saturday’s Coates Talent League girl’s clash against Northern Knights.

The round 9 match at Preston City Oval was full of twists and turns before the Power were eventually named 7.6 (48) to 5.5 (35) winners.

The 13-point victory was one built off a strong and accurate second-quarter showing where the victors kicked three straight to 2.2 to take a 10-point lead into the long break.

The Power had chances to extend that lead early in the third but after Kira Lemire converted for the Knights, the margin was cut to just a solitary major.

A responding goal some five minutes later snuffed out the Knights run of momentum with a late chance to drag the margin back to six not taken to make it a nine-point ball game at the final change.

Gippsland threatened to run away with the game early in the last quarter but inaccuracy in front of goal – 1.3 – kept the Knights in the contest.

A late goal just before red time from Olivia Gorman gave the Knights a late sniff and when Olivia Jesser kicked another with just over four minutes on the clock, the game appeared anyone’s for the taking.

But a late goal inside the final two minutes from the Power was enough to snuff out the Knights late challenge and keep it’s winning streak intact.

PREVIEW

Gippsland Power will look to overcome some adversity to maintain its unbeaten run in the girl’s Coates Talent League.

The Power takes on the Northern Knights at Preston City Oval looking for its fifth straight win.

It’s a vital clash for both teams, who are 4-2, and in prime position to play finals with the match available live and exclusive on KommunityTV from midday.

Gippsland enters the match without its coach after Nathan Boyd left to take up a role at Coates Talent League rivals Dandenong.

It left the team coachless in last week’s win over Bendigo while Boyd coached his first match at the Stingrays against Tasmania.

“Our assistant coaches are carrying the load,” Gippsland Power administrator Scott McDougal said.

“We’re not far away from announcing a new coach. We won’t change things too much (with the new coach).

“It will be a breathe of fresh air coming in.

“The girls get to reset and put their case forward in whatever position it might be.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 11: Power players Ava Deszcz and Baia Pugh celebrate a goal during the 2025 Coates Talent League Girls Round 05 match between Geelong Falcons and Gippsland Power at Melbourne Avalon Airport Oval on May 11, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Craig Dooley/AFL Photos)

For now, the focus is on the Knights but McDougal admits it will be a challenge to remain unbeaten.

The Power will be without key forward Abby Hobson for a couple of weeks with defender Addison Howe also unavailable.

Both got injured last week against the Pioneers.

Gippsland is also without Ella Stoddart who will be involved with the national academy.

“We’ll be testing the fullness of our list this week,” McDougal said.

“We’re not going in without a chance, but Northern are a well drilled Metro team.

“We’ll put our best foot forward like we always do.

“Our girls will never ever not give effort.”

The Knights will be looking to bounce back from a 35-point loss to Gold Coast three weeks ago.

Prior to the loss the team won four in a row led by Victoria Metro hub player Scarlett Johnson who is averaging 23 disposals a game.

Originally published as Coates Talent League 2025 live stream: Northern Knights v Gippsland Power (Girls), Round 9