EASTERN Ranges made it an all-metropolitan final by knocking off Geelong Falcons in the second game of a double-header at Shepley Oval on the weekend. In a commanding performance, the Ranges booted five goals to nil in the first quarter and never looked back. We noted down some of the top performers from the clash in our Scouting notes.

All notes are the opinion of the individual author and focus on those Victorian representatives, Combine invites and bottom-agers.

EASTERN RANGES:

#6 Hayley McLaughlin
22/11/2005 | 164cm | Wing

The top-age winger was prominent for the Ranges, working hard across the ground and even sneaking forward at one point to take a good mark inside 50 and convert a major in the third term. McLaughlin did well to get into ball-winning positions and and generally used it well, showing off her outstanding composure under pressure. One of the key influencers in the Ranges’ win over Geelong.

#10 Laura Stone
22/11/2005 | 170cm | Defender/Midfielder

Stepping up for her best game since returning from injury, Stone started in defence but progressed into the midfield where she was clean and ran hard across the ground. She won a couple of frees for either being held or due to great pressure, and generally placed her kicks well down the field. She even produced a terrific run-down tackle at half-back.

#13 Georgie Brisbane
13/12/2006 | 175cm | Forward/Midfielder

Providing a presence in attack, Brisbane regular presented on leads and was not afraid to crash into packs, taking a strong grab in the second term and slotting the goal. It came after an earlier major off a 50m penalty, before she moved into the midfield more in the second half. Showing she can play in both roles, Brisbane had her big moments throughout the game.

#14 Alyssia Pisano
01/07/2005 | 162cm | Forward

The small forward threatened to tear the game open at times and arguably should have, missing a few she would normally nail, including an unlucky poster. Her two goals came from nice passages of play including a set shot, and then a great burst and run inside 50 all the way to the line. Could have converted a few more chances but otherwise looked very lively at ground level.

#19 Ava Campbell
29/07/2005 | 174cm | Defender

Leading from the front, Campbell was solid in the defensive half of the ground providing a nice balance of intercepting offensive play and defensive accountability. Campbell was so dedicated to getting her team over the line that she accidentally took out the goal umpire at one point in the second term. Good overhead and always looking to pump the ball long, she worked hard all game.

#22 Grace Belloni
09/09/2006 | 175cm | Midfielder/Forward

Piecing together a really solid bottom-age season, Belloni was again busy both in midfield and attack. She finished with 2.2 from 18 disposals and clunked three marks, using her strong frame when at the coalface to dictate play, then went forward to have several chances on goal. She missed a couple of chances but finished off well in the final term with a goal after an early one at the start of the third term. Her second and third efforts caught the eye.

#31 Jordyn Allen
12/11/2007 | Defender

The double bottom-ager has held her own in defence, and though still a little raw and learning some tricks, she found her fair share of the ball and mopped up consistently in the back 50. She provided nice run and carry in transition and showed plenty of potential for the future, with the Under 16s representative an impressive young talent.

#37 Evie Parker
06/07/2006 | 178cm | Utility

One of those ‘blank slate’ players who could be anything. Though predominantly a forward, Parker has the capacity to play on all three lines and has done so at different points. She is athletic, can impact at ground level and has a high work rate. In the third term she moved into defence and did pretty well there. Her goal came after a set sot following a tackle and more often than not her possessions came with some metres gained.

#38 Georgia Stubs
16/07/2005 | 165cm | Midfielder

The hard-nosed midfielder has that touch of pace that allows her to win the ball and get a few good steps on her opponent, and even if run-down, Stubs usually has the strength to get the ball away. Though she only had the 10 touches in the match, she was influential with a lot of them, pumping them inside 50.

#39 Mackenzie Bourne
04/02/2006 | 182cm | Ruck/Forward

Bourne worked in tandem with Jess Vukic through the ruck and up forward and was able to hit the scoreboard on multiple occasions at either end of the game. Her second was a clever one off a tumbling ball forward, while she also set up McLaughlin with her goal going inside 50. Quite often she thumps the ball for distance more than anything else, but was able to with a couple of majors from 15 disposals.

GEELONG FALCONS:

#7 Sara Howley
29/01/2006 | 173cm | Midfielder

Finishing off a massive year, the bottom-ager again had some big numbers in the preliminary final loss. She ran hard across the ground getting to repeat contests and providing some aerial strength as well often spreading to the outside. She was more often than not working in defence and springboarding from there to kick-start offensive plays down the ground. Sometimes Howley was forced into just thumping it forward, but her smarts to get into space helped her around the ground.

#8 Mekah Morrissy
16/01/2006 | 159cm | Wing

It was not as prolific as usual for Morrissy, but her work rate saw her still win her fair share of the ball. She tried to take grass and pump it long, though often had to give it off quickly under the pressure. Though she had the 13 disposals and most were in transition, she did her best to add to the run and carry of the Falcons.

#24 Chantal Mason
28/05/2005 | 177cm | Forward

It was tough being a forward at times, but Mason still managed to kick two of her side’s three goals. She nailed the first for her team in the second term after a free kick and subsequent set shot, then nailed another in the final quarter. Mason pushed up to the wing and did well to collect a loose ball on the bounce and delivery well into the corridor, and provided a contest even if she did not take a mark.

#25 Chloe Adams
13/12/2005 | 165cm | Midfielder

Geelong’s skipper won the first clearance of the day and in typical fashion worked hard throughout the four quarters. Though Adams ended with the 16 touches, she did influence the contest on the inside, particularly with her defensive pressure and team acts. She has developed her outside game well, and her clearance ability in particular stood out. Overall, Adams has such a well-rounded game.

#27 Seisia White
07/10/2006 | 164cm | Forward/Midfielder

Another Geelong player who might not have had a lot of the ball but she brought the heat by laying eight tackles from her 13 disposals. Quite often she cracked in and threw herself at the coalface, putting her body on the line to support the likes of Adams. A bottom-ager who will likely progress into a more prominent midfield role next season.

#41 Johanna Sunderland
14/07/2005 | 166cm | Defender

Going head-to-head with Pisano, Sunderland had a tough task but held her own and in the one-on-ones arguably got the chocolates. Though Pisano had the speed once it hit the deck, Sunderland did very well positioning herself in marking contests and either spoiling or taking a strong grab. The Falcons defender used it neatly down the ground more often than not, and while she made a few errors under pressure, was solid across the board for her side.