EASTERN Ranges came back from a quarter time deficit and only a 15-point lead at the final change to pile on four unanswered fourth quarter majors and blow the full-time margin against Calder Cannons out to 41 points. A tight battle for the most part at Highgate Recreation Reserve, the Ranges kicked eight goals to two after quarter time to win, 10.8 (68) to 4.3 (27) in Round 18.

We took note of some of the players who caught the eye, with a focus on Victorian representatives.

CALDER CANNONS:

#9 Holly Clough
Forward/Midfielder | 184cm | 20/01/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 hitout, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s

The sole Calder representative in VIc Metro’s main squad worked hard in the front half and applied plenty of pressure in the air or at ground level. While not having the space to take easy marks, Clough worked up the ground to lay tackles and and showed strength when she was wrapped up to dish off well. A powerful kick with an imposing frame who will only get better over the next 12 months, and even got a taste of midfield action when starting on-ball in the fourth quarter.

#19 Tilda Sinclair
Defender | 172cm | 19/09/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s

Sinclair has a few nice traits that are consistently showing over the last few weeks and looms as another Cannon to watch in 2027. She has a unique running gate once she has the ball in her hands, and while not as smooth as others, she is often very effective and is not afraid to change lanes. The bottom-ager consistently mopped up behind the ball, pushed up the ground when required and played an aggressive, proactive brand when called upon to do so.

#23 Jayda Scarafilo
Midfielder/Defender | 173cm | 09/06/2009

Stats: 23 disposls, 6 marks, 6 tackles, 5 clearances, 1 inside 50, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Scarafilo has been a player that continues to build towards the backend of the 2026 season and it was one of her more well-rounded games on Saturday. She spent the bulk of her time on-ball and worked back to assist the defence, taking a number of strong marks across the ground. Her knack for going once the turnover has occurred allowed Scarafilo to work into space and keep the ball moving, and even got on the end of a nice goal late in the third term from 40 metres out. A balanced offensive and defensive player.

#40 Victoria Goudy
Midfielder | 173cm | 14/01/2010

Stats: 19 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 4 clearances, 3 inside 50s

The double bottom-ager is a real straight-line runner with enough evasion to work through tarffic. Early on she was caught or smothered with the hot pace of the game, but she continued to battle on and worked into the game nicely. Goudy is more than capable of being a consistent extractor, and she set up a several scoring opportunities going forward, holding a firm line behind the ball as well as taking off to thump it forward.

EASTERN RANGES:

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

Stats: 17 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Semple does not need a lot of the ball to hurt you, and she certainly showed that with her ability to move through traffic effectively from the first ball-up. She applies her fair share of pressure, but her damage comes with ball in hand, able to use both sides of her body and find the little gaps to put ball to boot and get it forward. She loves to drive the ball forward at all costs, and her second and third efforts were very good, while her five clearances were an equal game-high.

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

Stats: 28 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

The skipper was busy throughout the match and at her damaging best through traffic using her slick and clean hands to advantage consistently. Rankin not only impacted around the stoppage but spread to the outside and provided a transitional option going forward. Her clever snap through traffic from close range in the third term ensured she hit the scoreboard, while a long-range attempt from 50 metres breaking from the stoppage resulted in a near miss. Just effective throughout.

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

Stats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 4 rebound 50s

Williams played an aggressive running brand out of the back half as become her style since making the move from the midfield and attack. She positions herself effectively behind the ball to intercept or be a handball receive option, and while at times she might have run herself into trouble, continued to try and burst away off half-back and drive the ball forward. She set up a goal during the second term with a nice delivery going inside 50, then later on in the quarter saved a certain goal on the defensive goalline with a crucial rushed behind.

#24 Maeve Gill
Key Defender | 180cm | 24/04/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 marks, 2 tackles, 1 hitout, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 3 rebound 50s

Saw a little more action with her more offensive running in the game, and while it meant she was perhaps a little exposed, the defensive setup allowed the plethora of Eastern backs to support each other. She mopped up behind the ball and flew for marks, took ground and looked to clear the ball down-field. The left-footer is not a known accumulator, but found her fair share of it in the game with her increased proactive style.

#28 Marli Muileman
Wing | 170cm | 05/02/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 5 inside 50s

The bottom-ager was one who stood out beside the usual suspects, with the hard-running wing able to transition the ball forward and help out in the back 50 as well. At one stage she copped a knock during the second term but bounced back for the second half to finish the game strongly. Her aerial ability was a feature, and while her kicking could be tidied up a little, Muileman showed promising signs for the future.

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

Stats: 14 disposals, 3 marks, 6 tackles, 4 rebound 50s

A tenacious operator, Busch brings a high-level competitive nature to the back half of the ground and will scrap both in the air and at ground level to try and win the ball for her side. She can provide run and carry like most of the Eastern defenders, while also playing an accountable role deep in the back 50. While she can tidy up her execution a little, she has developed well throughout 2026.

#34 Sadie Glew
Defender | 164cm | 25/11/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 rebound 50

Glew is another player to note down for next season, finding her place in defence. She has some nice athletic traits, brings the defensive heat and competes both in the air and at ground level. Her brilliant desperation on the goalline to tackle Chloe Bullen forced a behind in the opening term and throughout the game was an option from deep in defence or moving the ball aggressive higher in the back 50.

#35 Brylee Anderson
Midfielder/Forward | 173cm | 25/03/2008

Stats: 32 disposals, 1 mark, 8 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

The natural accumulator had a slower first half by her standards with 12 touches, before blowing up the stats sheet with 20 in the second. She was clearly best afield after half-time and had the ball on a string. She distributes it effectively by foot, spins out of trouble and can hit the scoreboard as she did in the last few minutes of the match. While still building towards her best after a mid-season interruption, she took another step forward in the match around the ball and remains one of the better Victorian prospects in this year’s AFLW Draft.