EASTERN Ranges forward Alyssia Pisano was the NAB League Girls leading goalkicker, a team of the year member, and Vic Metro Under 17 representative in 2021. All of that, at just 15-years-old. A year on, and Pisano began her bottom-age campaign brightly having earned Metro Under 18 and AFLW Academy selection heading into it.

Reflecting on the success of her 2021 season, the prolific goal-getter said it was “surreal” to hit such heights, but maintains a very team focussed view in her praise of the Ranges’ culture.

“I mean, I didn’t expect it that’s for sure,” Pisano said. “I guess it’s just a surreal feeling to be honest.”

“It’s always good kicking a few goals. It’s also really good getting along with other people, it’s such a family environment at Eastern so it’s been really good just to get to know all the girls.”

The elite talent pathway is currently littered with prospects who, like Pisano, have been brought up around football and played consistently throughout their junior careers. Speaking on the prestige of AFLW Academy honours, Ranges coach Travis Cloke lauded the “strong minded” youngster on her achievements.

“It’s great on her behalf. We know in the football world she can play football,” Cloke said during preseason. “She’s a very good, very crafty small forward, it’s fantastic she’s been picked. “But she knows there’s a lot of work still for herself to take in her game.

“That’s the options, she’s now in the nationals she’ll have before her draft age and time will tell if she adapts in the right way. I believe she will. “She’s a really good, strong-minded female who has aspirations of playing AFLW, which is great.”

There is a long way to got yet for Pisano, who maintains her main focus over the next two years will be to simply “improve” and “be the best player” she can. With speed, smarts, and her innate ability to read the play perfectly, the bottom-ager is as damaging as anyone in the front half. She still has time and room to improve, though, perhaps even in new roles.

“I want to improve my endurance and probably my tackling,” she said. “I don’t know, I mean I’m willing to try out new positions because it’s always a good learning experience. So wherever (my coaches) think I’ll play best or help the team is where I’ll play.”

With a strong preseason behind her and an enjoyable environment at the Ranges, Pisano is very much looking forward to continuing her trailblazing efforts. She notched 12 disposals, four inside 50s and a goal in Round 1, with another home clash against Sandringham Dragons awaiting next on Saturday.