IN TORRENTIAL conditions at times, Eastern Ranges kick-started their 2026 Talent League Girls season with a bang, defeating rivals Oakleigh Chargers by two points in the game of the round. It was not the pretty style that these two star-studded teams usually put on due to the weather, but it was another epic finish with Ranges’ skipper Emily Rankin booting the go-ahead goal in the final five minutes to drag her side over the line, 3.4 (22) to 2.4 (16).

We took a look at some of the players who impressed during a wet day at Dingley.

EASTERN RANGES:

#3 Scout Semple
Midfielder | 162cm | 03/10/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 3 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 behind

Semple was busy and competitive throughout, doing her best work at ground level with quick, clean hands that kept the Ranges moving in difficult conditions. A cheeky snap around her body in the first term showed her forward instinct, and she scrapped hard when required at the other end. Her disposal was not always rewarded with the right outcome once the ball left boot, but she found it consistently across all four quarters. A solid showing in trying conditions.

#6 Alira Barnard-Rossely
Forward | 167cm | 05/10/2009

Stats: 10 disposals, 7 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

The bottom-ager had far more impact than 10 disposals might suggest as a pressure forward with class, laying seven tackles which reflected a relentless approach inside 50. She won the ball cleanly one-on-one and got her hands free under duress on multiple occasions. Her goal in the third term was the highlight — charging through and throwing it on the boot for a wobbly but effective finish — before a smart late-game dummy that sold a long-range set shot before handing off to Williams instead. Impressive display.

#7 Bridie Neale
Wing | 167cm | 03/03/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 behind

Neale was tidy and reliable across the wing with her known work rate on show once again. She did her best work with quick hands off the ground and a willingness to make herself available between the arcs. Her ball use was generally sharp given the conditions and her defensive pressure in the final term was a positive, though she was caught slipping through her hands on the wing in the wet on one occasion and pulled up in the second term after a follow-up effort.

#10 Perri Goulding
Forward | 161cm | 05/07/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 1 mark, 5 tackles, 1 clearance, 4 inside 50s

The bottom-ager was active in the front half, driving the ball inside 50 on multiple occasions and spreading well through the corridor. She was run down by Parker close to goal in the second term when a score looked likely which was unlucky. She continued to attempt to run and carry, with decision making intent on getting the ball forward at all costs.. The willingness to get involved and create was there.

#12 Emily Rankin
Midfielder | 166cm | 11/05/2008

Stats: 24 disposals, 1 mark, 12 tackles, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Rankin was one the best player on the ground and, on a day when clean ball use was a genuine challenge, she made it look effortless. Her hands under the pack were exceptional throughout and she found it consistently across all four quarters with both power and precision. The fourth quarter was her best — winning a free kick after Douglas dragged it in, stepping up from 30 metres straight in front and slotting the goal, then immediately winning the next clearance by hand. Twelve tackles alongside 24 disposals and five clearances in those conditions is an extraordinary return from the Ranges’ skipper.

#17 Lara Williams
Defender | 168cm | 29/08/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Williams was composed through the back half, doing most of her best work with well-weighted ball use coming out of defence. Her early intercept mark on the wing and kick inside 50 to a dangerous spot was her most impactful moment, while she showed a good eye for switching play on the opposite foot to centre half-forward efficiently in the third term. A couple of riskier decisions — a short kick-in early and a kick across defensive 50 late — kept her from a cleaner overall scorecard, but her contribution was sound.

#29 Ellie Busch
Defender | 174cm | 13/03/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 8 rebound 50s

Busch was a rock in the Ranges’ backline all day, consistently driving the ball out of defence and competing hard in the air. Given the challenges in the wet and having to stand Martin at different points, she provided fantastic physicality and defensive pressure. Her most important moment came in the final term when she won a crucial free kick after a strong tackle on Martin at a time when the contest was in the balance. Solid from the first quarter to the last.

#35 Brylee Anderson
Midfielder | 173cm | 24/03/2008

Stats: 31 disposals, 5 marks, 13 tackles, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Anderson was outstanding and the best player on the ground in the conditions. She announced herself with a bouncing goal in the first three minutes and barely let up, with an intercept mark in defensive 50 in the second term a critical defensive act and tidy wing work in the third showing the full scope of her game. Another terrific individual moment came in the final term — a stunning run-down tackle on Mazzei at forward 50 – while her stacked number of contested possessions (21) and hardball gets (11) showed she was made for the wet conditions.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#5 Isabelle Godfrey
Wing | 162cm | 11/08/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 1 mark, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 5 rebound 50s

Godfrey provided her customary two-way running on a difficult afternoon, with her slick side-to-side movement at half-back giving the Chargers a reliable rebounding option. Her movement is what sets her aside, and though her ball use is still improving – and was made all the more difficult in the wet – she continually provided an option in space, and her defensive work and clean hands were a big tick in those conditions.

#6 Leni Lockyer
Midfielder | 164cm | 26/03/2008
Collingwood F/D

Stats: 18 disposals, 7 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 rebound 50s

Lockyer was at her best when the ball was moving fast and she could react quickly, showing a lovely sidestep in the second term before hitting up a teammate inside 50 with a clean handball that created a scoring opportunity. She was competitive around the clearances throughout and won her fair share of touches in her new role since moving from the wing last season. She ran well defensively and supported the backs, and though her speed is the knock – she got run-down trying to exit a fourth quarter clearance – she was generally solid across the game.

#11 Isabella Mazzei
Midfielder | 169cm | 06/06/2008

Stats: 31 disposals, 10 tackles, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 8 rebound 50s

Mazzei was the Chargers’ standout and one of the best players on the ground, producing a performance that made the conditions irrelevant to her. She took the ball like it was dry throughout, her hands in congestion were consistently excellent, and she drove forward with purpose every time she had it. Aside from a moment where she was run-down by Anderson in the fourth term, Mazzei made very few errors of judgement and unsurprisingly her defensive side was elite.

#18 Bailee Martin
Forward | 176cm | 03/09/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal, 2 behinds

Martin’s day was defined by one extraordinary moment and a series of near-misses around it. The dribbler goal from almost behind the post in the second term — after pushing a set shot from 15 metres wide — summed up the pick one contender who just excels when on instinct. She had two behinds around it and couldn’t get boot cleanly to ball in the third term when attempting a quick shot, but Martin’s ability to find the ball in the forward half, take strong marks, and manufacture something from almost nothing, means she is a constant threat.

#19 Lily Parker
Defender | 170cm | 21/12/2009

Stats: 23 disposals, 3 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 9 rebound 50s

The bottom-ager was excellent in defence all day, mopping up quickly and driving the ball out of danger with consistent composure. She was continually involved in repelling Ranges attacks, while her kick-ins were generally neat and her positioning sound throughout. A goal-saving tackle on Douglas in the second term was a decisive act, and was one of the better four-quarter performances across the day.

#20 Ruby Douglas
Defender/Midfielder | 166cm | 10/07/2009

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

The bottom-ager was active and competitive, showing good hands in the wet and an ability to read the ball through defensive positions. Her intercept mark inside defensive 50 in the second term and the carry that followed was her best moment. Her free kick conceded in the final term would have hurt, but as a whole Douglas played well in that hybrid defensive-midfield role. A player who catches the eye with her willingness to move the ball, but also apply great pressure.