A TALENTED top-age crop is poised to drive the Eastern Ranges to strong on-field and draft results in 2023, under new head coach Ash Close. After Travis Cloke led the girls side to a third place finish last year, the Metro-based program produced four AFLW draftees and is in good shape to match that strike rate.

The Ranges lay claim to three AFLW Academy members in 2023 – Alyssia Pisano, Laura Stone, and Jess Vukic – who help make up a group of six players among the Vic Metro Under 18 hub. Both Pisano (ACL) and Vukic (ankle and knee) have spent much of the offseason in rehab, but Stone has not missed a beat. Close said he is looking forward to seeing what the trio can do.

“Jess has been injured throughout most of the preseason with a few little setbacks, but I think it’d be fair to say she’s learned a fair bit,” Close said. “She’s becoming quite professional in what she does… I’m just looking forward to seeing her play footy because I’ve heard great things.

“‘Stoney’ hasn’t missed a training session and has been probably the most impressive out of those three girls. She’s done everything and her willingness to get better is a great strength of hers. I think she’s going to be a pretty handy little player.

“Alyssia has integrated back into full training. We did a bit of match sim and there’s class there. She’s got tricks and she’s going to be a lot of fun to coach. I think she’s got the right attitude about getting better as well.”

Close was also full of praise for the Ranges’ leadership group which was announced last month. Tall defender Ava Campbell basically “picked herself” as standalone skipper, and will be supported by four vice-captains.

Among them are Pisano and impressive over-ager Delany Madigan, while bottom-agers Molly Paterson and Georgie Brisbane have been identified as future leaders among the squad. With a balanced quintet at the helm, things are running smoothly.

“We were pretty keen to select Ava,” Close said. “We went on a camp and she was so strong in her leadership that she basically picked herself as captain.

“Alyssia Pisano’s in there as well, obviously it’s been hard for her but we wanted to put her in the leadership group but not give her a specific role, because we wanted her to focus on her recovery from her ACL.

“Delany Madigan who’s a 19-year-old and has been super impressive. I’m really keen to give her as many opportunities in her last year in the program as we can.

“Then we’ve got Molly Patterson and Georgie Brisbane, our two 17-year-olds. We see a lot of leadership traits in them so this is going to be an opportunity for them to learn from the group and then potentially take on a leadership role next year.”

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“The girls are terrific. I don’t know if I’m just super lucky and got a great group, but we haven’t had any problems and I think they’re learning the program and the way that I like to run things.”

Another player to watch may be Stasia Stevenson, who Close says has essentially turned herself “inside-out” over preseason, such has been her improvement.

The incoming mentor noted that Eastern’s ruck stocks would be strong, though Vic Metro hub member Jacinta Hose will miss most of the season as she recovers from an ACL tear. Vukic will also be touch-and-go for Round 1.

A practice match against the Dandenong Stingrays awaits on Friday night, before the two teams lock horns on Sunday April 2 in the Ranges’ first outing of the new Coates Talent League season.