AMONG Eastern Ranges’ breakthrough premiership side of 2025 was a booming bottom-age crop, now set to steer the ship in 2026. Nine 2008-born players took the field on Grand Final day last year, with a couple more unlucky to miss out, though they will soon have their chance to chase back-to-back flags.

We put the Eastern Ranges’ emerging class of 2026 under the spotlight.

>> ONES TO WATCH: 26 draft prospects for 2026

THE STAR PROSPECT

Harrison Chapman
Wing | 189cm | 06/01/2008

A new-age athlete moulding into a terrific footballer, Chapman played 18 games in the Eastern Ranges’ breakthrough Talent League premiership last year. The rangy 18-year-old established himself on the wing, where his bounding speed suited the outside expanses. At 189cm, he has the potential to impact aerially and is an effective transitional player who helps deliver the ball from end-to-end. Those kind of versatile link-up players are in high demand, and on pure traits, Chapman has the raw upside AFL recruiters will love. Hence, he’s the lone Ranges player selected in this year’s National Academy.

THE ACCUMULATORS

Role players were integral to Eastern’s premiership success last year, a category which Jordan Knapp and Mitch Gillan fit into. The former is a versatile small who spent time on both sides of midfield and up forward, where he proved capable of finding the ball at will. Knapp is clean and composed, showcasing great footy IQ to not only win possession, but make full use of it. He was one of three inclusions to last year’s National Futures match on AFL Grand Final day. Gillan, meanwhile, has already established himself as one of the side’s main distributors. He moves the ball out of defensive 50 with great efficiency and is a keen interceptor, able to shut down opponents or get loose to dispel danger.

THE ONE-TWO PUNCH

There was a time last year where Eastern struggled for ruck depth, but then-bottom-ager Jaden Lawrence stood up to front the tall division. The 199cm prospect cemented his place in the side and maintained it amid the emergence of top-age basketball convert Marcus Krasnadamskis. This year, he is well poised to provide a terrific one-two punch with rover Archie Spencer. The latter offers great power and physicality on the inside, but can also drive his legs on the attack and hit the scoreboard. If not Knapp, expect Spencer to take full advantage of the work from his mobile emerging ruckman.

THE DEPTH

There remains a bunch of potential surprise packets among Eastern’s 2008-born crop. A pair of likely bookends are arguably top of that list, in high-flying defender William Waller and athletic forward Charlie Nash. The former missed out on last year’s premiership success but played 11 games and showcased his strong aerial prowess and two-footed ability. Nash also thrives aerially and while his numbers aren’t mind-blowing, he has the tools to be an effective goalkicking forward the Ranges can push for higher honours. Elsewhere, utility Zac Antonellos put his name in lights with three goals in last year’s Grand Final, while Ryan McConnell has some potential to work with up forward. Sam Devers is another premiership player to keep an eye on. From outside that group, forward Max Bartlett has some nice attributes to work with, and Beau Garrett is highly rated internally.

SPOTLIGHT SERIES:
Claremont’s killer Colts
Gippy’s gun crop
Northern’s tall trio
Rucks to run rampant
South’s star midfielders