FILLING the shoes of outgoing coach and new Oakleigh Chargers’ boys mentor Ash Close, Jarrad Donders will take up the head coach mantle at Eastern Ranges with the side coming off a grand final appearance last season. Eastern is brimming with talent, and Donders is excited about plenty of prospects in the side.

TOP PROSPECTS

Grace Baba (Tall Defender)
17/09/2006 | 176cm

Baba had a wonderful debut season at Coates Talent League level last year, coming on in leaps and bounds and showing off her athleticism and offensive abilities. Often providing stacks of rebound out of defence, Baba competes well in the air, but can win the ball at ground level as well, also possessing a piercing kick.

Jarrad Donders says: “Bab’s travelling really well. She’s presenting really well in her match sim, we’ve got some practice games coming up and the way she attacks the footy and the way that she plays on-field is really cool to watch and definitely a player to watch this year.”

Georgie Brisbane (Tall Forward)
13/12/2006 | 175cm

A high-upside talent with plenty of room to improve, the contested marking forward has shown her ability to burst through the midfield and play in that role as well. She has no trouble getting involved while up the field, and though consistency is an area to develop this year, she has all the tools to be a very good player for a very long time. Another who played in the Under 17 Futures match.

Jarrad Donders says: “[She’s] running some really good time trial times, training really well. Her athleticism, her run and carry is something to really watch and admire this year.”

Grace Belloni (Forward/Midfielder)
09/09/2006 | 174cm

A strong marking target up forward, like Brisbane, Belloni has the capacity to roll into the midfield and provide a bigger body in there too. She is dangerous when inside 50 and slotted 11 goals from her 16 games. Averaging 15.8 disposals and 2.5 marks in the process, she has potential to elevate her game in 2024 alongside a potent group of forwards.

Molly Paterson (Wing/Utility)
11/07/2006 | 170cm

Paterson is a player who loves to run and carry, and finds space really well on the outside. She can launch off half-back and get the ball forward, trialing for Vic Metro last season. At 170cm, Paterson is a good size and played all 16 games, averaging 9.7 disposals and 3.1 tackles for the Ranges as she eyes off taking the next step in her top-age year this year.

OTHERS TO WATCH

Jarrad Donders says: “Obviously I’ve been been quite lucky moving into this space as we have quite a strong list. Tayla McMillan is a bottom-ager so Vic Metro… Then we have the likes of Evie Parker, Asher Fearn-Wannan and there’s quite a few others I could name as well, but yeah very lucky with our list that we have.”

2024 GOALS

Jarrad Donders says: “I don’t think there’s a ceiling on it. The girls made the grand final last year and were minor premiers on the ladder, but just fell short. There’s absolutely no ceiling on what they can achieve this year and our theme is Everist and we’re looking to take our Everist every session, every time we’re together because we all want to aspire and achieve our goals and live the life of our dreams at the end of the year and looking forward to what that looks like in nine months time.”

ROUND 1

Round 1: vs. Sandringham Dragons | Saturday, April 6 @ RSEA Park

Jarrad Donders says: “Yeah really excited. The girls are travelling really well in the way that they’re training, continuing to evolve what we do and elevate the levels that we go to so we come out firing ready to go for Round 1.”