AFTER back-to-back grand final defeats but incredible seasons nonetheless, Eastern Ranges loom as one of the teams to beat again in 2025. Boasting the most Vic Metro hub members between the top-age and bottom-age levels, coach Jarrad Donders is excited by what the year has in store for his side. He spoke about the deeply talented list at the recent Coates Talent League Girls Preseason Testing Day.

PRESEASON

“The girls have presented really strongly this season. Comparing to last year, fitness wise, high speed running I suppose everything to do with high performance is quite a lot at a higher level than what it was last year, so that’s really exciting. We’re pretty lucky we’re in a talented region and we’ve got a pretty talented squad this year. We’re pretty excited about what could occur this year and the most exciting thing in the Coates league is showcasing all the talent that we’ve got. That’s the most exciting thing for us.”

TOP-AGE VIC METRO HUB MEMBERS

Tayla McMillan
Midfielder | 161cm | 25/05/2007

“Tayla’s just been announced captain of our squad at Eastern Ranges. Tayla’s contested ball and power is elite. She’s the reigning club BnF for us last year as a bottom-ager. She’s obviously in the National Academy this year. Her skillset, her ability to play as an inside mid and still develop her secondary position across half-back is going to be really exciting to watch this year and where she lands.”

Jordyn Allen
Defender/Midfielder | 165cm | 12/11/2007

“Vice-captain this year for our squad. Primary position for her is off half-back. She’ll look to go through the midfield at times as well this year. But she’s a linebreaker, super creative, super skilful. Takes the game on and we’re really excited by what she’s going to do this year for us. Another one representing our region at National Academy level too.”

Josephine Bamford
Ruck | 182cm | 03/06/2007

“Josie is obviously our ruck. Really looking to develop Josie into a bit more of a key forward position this year as well as her ruck duties. She’s in Vic Metro and as a bottom-ager she had a real breakout year last year. Elite hands, really good ruck craft, really looking to develop the rest of her game as an example in that key forward role.”

Asher Fearn-Wannan
Tall Defender/Wing | 177cm | 14/12/2007

“Asha played a key defensive role for us last year. She’s an athletic beast, loves to run and carry and take the game on so she’ll have opportunity on the wing for us too. Representing us at Vic Metro currently, she’s definitely one to watch to keep an eye on.”

Zoe Vozzo
Forward/Wing | 165cm | 06/02/2007

“Zo’s a winger for us. Zoe also has a great ability up forward with her goal sense. She’s come back super strong this preseason and we’re really excited by what she’s going to do and hopefully continue to represent us at Vic Metro level too.”

Zoe Wilkinson
Midfielder | 170cm | 17/05/2007

“Wilko had a bit of an interrupted season last year with … a concussion and then a little niggly ankle injury so she didn’t have a lot of consistency in her year last year but someone who has super talent. She’ll play an inside midfield role for us, she can be swung forward, be swung back. Quite athletic as well, and currently representing us at Vic Metro through the summer hub. We’re just excited to get some consistency into her football and allow everyone to see what she’s truly capable of doing.”

>> PROFILED: 2025 Vic Metro summer hub

OTHERS TO WATCH

“We’ve got one girl that’s just recently come into our program as a top-ager, hasn’t been in a program before, Ashleigh Thatcher. “She’s someone to watch that’s just super exciting, has genuine speed and agility. Goes in, is super physical and attacks the ball just with absolutely fearless in that regard and you’ll see that play out in her football. She’s someone to just keep a close eye on.

“We’ve also got Issy Creaton. She’s a half-backer who can play as a high half-forward. Again super quick, runs and carries to take the game on. She’s someone to watch. Zoe-Grace Willis a top-ager currently represented us at 17s Metro trials. Her and Issy aren’t currently in the Metro summer hub, but she’s a medium sized back, loves to come forward to defend.

“Bree Horne she’s one to watch. She’s a key defender for us, loves to run and carry, so good at winning her one-on-ones. She’s got genuine speed, she’s a tall defender which I know lot of clubs like so she’s one to watch as well.”

BOTTOM-AGERS

“Brylee Anderson would be the first one. She’s representing us at summer hub. Her contested ball and power, her skills, her footy IQ as an inside mid is elite. She was obviously All-Australian for 16s off half-back and through the mid so she’ll have a similar role for us as well. Emily Rankin is really one to watch, she’s deceivingly athletic and when you watch her and her testing results and the way she moves, it’s quite elite which is cool. Outside of that profiling, she’s got great skills, she’ll play inside mid and across half-forward for us this year.

“We also have Scout Semple, she played in our grand final team. Scouty again plays that small forward role but opportunity through the mid at times. We’re just very lucky with the different talent coming through that she’s super skilful as well and one to watch as a bottom-ager. We’re got Lara Williams, Paisley Stock and Bridie Neale.

“Those three represented us for Vic Metro at 16s level. Paisley and Lara have played and represented us at Coates level last year as 16 year-olds. Bridie would have as well except she had some commitments outside of footy last year she had to tick off. Those three are super talented and ones to keep an eye on, and we’ve got a whole heap more coming through in the 16s which is even greater.”

SEASON EXPECTATIONS/KPIs?

“I think for us in the Coates league, it’s all about showcasing talent. As long as we’re developing them as people and players, we’re ticking a lot of boxes. Ultimately we want to get them ready for an AFLW environment so that’s what we’re striving to achieve for all of our girls and set up an environment that is allowing all of them to be ready for the AFLW.”

STYLE OF PLAY

“We want to showcase talent so we play a brand that allows us to do that whether it’s a fast attacking transition, high intensity defence, but our brand is built around making sure we showcase that talent at the same time.”

ROUND 1

vs. Sandringham Dragons
Sunday April 6, 1:00pm
RSEA Park

“Feeling pretty confident at this stage. We’ve set a really strong foundation from last year around the way that we want to play but also making really sure that we develop each of our players individually. From that regard we’re super proud of the preseason we’ve put in with all the coaching staff and players commitment and accountability towards that. I’m looking forward to a much stronger start to the season than what we had at the start of last year and I know the girls are very eager to start their intraclubs, their practice matches and then get into Round 1.”