EASTERN Ranges produced arguably their best performance of the season with a dominant 57-point win over an Oakleigh Chargers outfit that granted was missing a number of key players around the ball. The Ranges won 12.5 (77) to 3.2 (20) and look on a crash course with Dandenong in the preliminary finals, while the Chargers avoid both sides until the decider.

We took note of some of the Victorian representative players who had their moments in the moment.

EASTERN RANGES:

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

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s

It was another low-volume but high impact-per-possession game from Semple, who has become renowned as one of those players who can maximise each touch. All five of her kicks were effective, either putting them long to dangerous positions, or extracting it well out of the stoppages all across the ground. She was part of the midfield/forward rotation again, and her massive centre clearance in the fourth term to put it all the way to the top of the goalsquare summarised the kind of impact she had in the game. Semple also got the ball rolling with a goal assist to Paisley Stock.

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 1 mark, 7 tackles, 1 clearance, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal

Complements her more experienced cohort with the flexibility to play in that half-forward role as well as on-ball, and Barnard-Rossely brings the pressure each and every time she is out there. A nice finish on the run from 30 metres off a handball receive in the third term ensured she had a goal to her name, while running is exactly what she did all day, accumulating well and being a link between the mid and forward thirds of the ground. Can tidy up some of her kicks at times under pressure, but can gain plenty of distance with them.

#8 Adelaide Caldicott
Forward | 172cm | 18/04/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 marks, 6 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 4 goals, 1 behind

Caldicott’s top-age season would be up there for the most improved across the country. Showing signs as a bottom-ager in a limited and capacity, her 2026 season has been nothing short of incredible. Her consistency has gone to another level, and she is becoming a genuine marking target inside 50 despite being a touch undersized for a tall forward. Caldicott’s presence and command of area really stands out, and she is not afraid to throw herself at every contest. She cleaned up with four goals, of which three were set shots following strong marks, and her first, a soccer off the deck early in the game. Had a couple of chances more to finish with an even bigger haul, but set the wheels in motion for other teammates as well.

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 6 clearances, 1 inside 50, 1 goal, 1 behind

Like Barnard-Rossely, Goulding is one of those hybrid forward-midfielders who will be handed the keys to the midfield next season and is progressing nicely. She is a high-pressure player, knows how to get out of tight situations, and can also hit the scoreboard. The latter came early in the game with a classy snap from 25 metres out, while also working up and down the ground with hard running. She is one who can link up by hand and release teammates, or go herself with her ability to win the ball in all manner of ways.

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 10 tackles, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s

The Eastern skipper has not put a foot wrong all season, and that certainly didn’t change on teh weekend. She might not have hit the scoreboard, but she set up multiple goals when rotated forward, including back-to-back majors to Baldwin and Caldicott in the third quarter. So clean at ground level, tough at the coalface and a genuinely smart footballer with terrific leadership qualities, Rankin has really moved up draft boards throughout the season, and her impact up forward – both directly and indirectly – has been a root cause.

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

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

Williams just keeps getting it done, this time in her wing/defender rotation. Her run and carry down the ground and her ability to hit targets in dangerous positions is all part of her profile. Capable of using either side of her body, the natural right-footer has a well-timed release by hand and scans the field when an inboard option is open. That always means a higher chance of a turnover, but when it comes off, it really benefits the Ranges. Has shown she can play in any role across the field.

#25 Tillie Baldwin
Ruck/Forward | 179cm | 20/08/2009

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 16 hitouts, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 2 goals

Eastern’s on-ball setup is looking set again a year in advance, and Baldwin – along with April Dye – loom as the two main ruck-forward options. Baldwin is strong and uses her frame well, often able to take advantage at the stoppages by ripping it out of there and pumping it long, but her immediate follow-up work and defensive pressure stands out as well. When forward, Baldwin either took marks or was infringed, kicking two second half goals to fill her boots in the dual-position role.

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

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 rebound 50

Busch is another player who continues to just play her role each week, and be a crucial cog in the Ranges’ lineup. A natural interceptor, Busch’s lockdown capabilities have not been lost, but her offensive impact has gone up another level in 2026. She just gets in the way when opposition teams are surging forward, and even if she doesn’t mark, is able to buy time for her teammates to set up, because you know Busch will continue to apply repeat pressure acts all day long.

#33 Sophia Davey
Forward/Midfielder | 174cm | 23/02/2009

Stats: 21 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Looming as the other midfield option next season with Barnard-Rossely and Goulding, Davey is building nicely and produced arguably her best performance with an impressive effort around the ball. She won the first centre clearance of quarter four, and held her own alongside some top-end talents, while also getting involved in the front half to set up scoring chances. Finished with one behind to her name, but looked exciting and another year of development will be beneficial for the 174cm midfielder.

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

Stats: 30 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 9 clearances, 8 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 2 goals

Was back to her brutal best on the weekend to remind everyone of what she is capable of, and has shown for the last couple of years. Racking up 30 touches, nine clearances and eight inside 50s – all game-highs – it sums up Anderson in a nutshell. She is simply a player who excels at extraction from stoppages and pumping the ball inside forward 50 to create scoring opportunities. Anderson herself hit the scoreboard again, with both majors coming in quarter four, ironically while playing midfield and streaming forward. Her first was a right place, right time soccer off the deck, before her second a few minutes later was a close-range finish off a handball receive from Rankin.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

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

Stats: 19 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

Godfrey’s evasive work and ability to find space will always amaze, with the dual-sport basketballer able to get herself out of a phone box. With time and space she can really hit those passes in transition – an area she has improved in season 2026 – while even if she ends up turning them over under pressure, Godfrey has usually gained a stack of meterage with her run and carry. The Oakleigh wing scans the field consistently, looks for corridor options and is not afraid to draw opponents in order to put the ball into positions she is after.

#6 Leni Lockyer
Defender | 164cm | 26/03/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 2 rebound 50s

Finding some form in the back-end of the season, Lockyer seemed like one of Oakleigh’s best based on the eye test, particularly when under pressure. While she still made the odd error by foot – as those who can penetrate with precision but are slightly out of sync with the receiver do – generally she was damaging with each of her disposals, running at 77 per cent. Her pressure on the ball carrier and ability to disrupt the Ranges’ forward forays was important.

#17 Scarlett Bown
Tall Forward | 179cm | 22/09/2009

Stats: 9 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 hitout, 2 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

The Chargers were stifled for forward entries so both Bown and Martin could not impact the game in the way they would like. However the bottom-aged Bown still hit the scoreboard with a clever piece of forward craft to snap a goal midway through the second term, while consistently going on searching leads outside the 50. Competed hard, and with more chances, will do more damage on the scoreboard.

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

Stats: 6 disposals, 2 marks, 1 goal, 1 behind

Martin had her quietest game of the season, part of which has to go to Maeve Gill‘s defensive work on her, as well as Oakleigh’s inability to get the ball inside 50 often enough. With only 19 forward forays, Martin did not get a lot of chances, missing her first from long-range before taking a sliding mark and converting her second late in the opening half. It looked like she was about to break the game open for the Chargers, but then scarcely saw it in the second half, having to work right up the ground to win a touch.

#31 Sophia Green
Defender | 170cm | 22/11/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 10 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 rebound 50

Alongside Lockyer, Green provided the resistance for the Chargers behind the ball with some strong marks, and repeat defensive acts to finish with double-digit tackles. The former Murray Bushranger and Carlton father-daughter prospect was fierce throughout, and her kicking seemed to be effective especially given the heat she was often under. Won a team-high five hardball gets which showed her determination and willingness to scrap at ground level as well as in the air.