EASTERN Ranges will embark on a second consecutive Coates Talent League Girls Grand Final against the Oakleigh Chargers tomorrow, hoping to go one better than 2023. The Ranges will have a new senior coach at the helm with Jarrad Donders replacing Ash Close in the role, and Donders has continued on that incredible success in 2024.

“It’s been awesome,” Donders said of his first year in charge. “Obviously coming into the boys space initially as an assistant coach and then coming across to the girls, it’s been unreal.

“We’ve got a very talented list with a lot of strengths right across the field and it’s been a great season. We’ve obviously talked a lot around living the life of our dreams, being able to develop people and players and showcasing talent. I feel like we’ve been able to tick that box right up until this particular point which is cool.”

While the premiership is still very much up for grabs, few could argue that in terms of creative goal celebrations and enjoying victories, Eastern has that covered. Often forming goal celebrations with multiple players and then taking a ‘HokBall’ selfie post-win, the playing group is loving football and the coaches are supportive of that.

“We’re obviously an aligned club with Hawthorn and our girls definitely lead that,” Donders said. “I’m fully supportive of their expressions and the way they want to celebrate goals and celebrate their wins. It just adds to the character of the group, how connected we are, and the fun and celebrations we want to have along the way too.”

The last time the sides faced off was in Wildcard Round in what was a wind-affected day that saw Oakleigh Chargers come from 22 points down at the final break to run over the top of the Ranges. Despite the result, Donders said he doubted there was too much to draw from the result.

“I don’t think either team takes a whole heap out of that day,” he said. “It was great to have a hitout between the two sides in the lead up to the finals. It would have been great with the build up of the top two sides playing in the grand final if they didn’t meet.

“But we did meet in that wildcard round which was cool. It was a great competitive game, there was momentum swings both way. It was wind affected, it was a matter of which team could execute on the scoreboard with the wind as well. Both teams take a little bit out of that game, but not too much overall and hopefully tomorrow’s better conditions in the contest.”

Donders was pleased the club was able to expose “as many girls as possible” to the Coates Talent League Girls standard, and that only added to the Ranges being as connected as they are. A host of players also went on to don the ‘Big V’ for Vic Metro, which Donders took part in with his opposition grand final coach Ty Vickery having the reigns as head coach.

“For our girls any elevation to a higher standard of footy continues to develop them as players,” Donders said. “They learn new skills, they play a faster style of game at a more elite level. “All of those strengths and those learnings they get from that, just value add to our team.

“I’m pretty sure Oakleigh would say the same thing. Ty, myself and all the other head coaches obviously coached that Vic Metro team, and you build good connections and relationships through there as well.”

While Oakleigh made one change to its grand final team, Eastern went in unchanged. While an early injury last week to talented top-ager Stasia Stevenson had her kept off the ground, Donders described it as “precautionary” more than anything else.

“Given that we had a potential grand final that if we were to win and she’s pulled up really well,” he said. “She’s available and fit and ready to play tomorrow and we’re looking forward to her stepping out onto the field for us because she’s quite an important player for us.”

Looking ahead to the match, Donders believes that for any grand final, it will be the “moments” that matter in deciding which team tastes premiership glory, and which side falls agonisingly short.

“The team that can execute on the scoreboard, the team that can come away and win those big moments or the moments that matter and the momentum swings is going to define the best team on the day tomorrow,” Donders said.

“We lineup really evenly across the board, there’s going to be some cracking matchups with our defenders and their forwards, and our forwards and their defenders, and then also through midfield. Coming back to those things that I mentioned are going to be key absolutely.”

Eastern Ranges tackle Oakleigh Chargers tomorrow from 10:45am at Ikon Park.