REIGNING premiers Eastern Ranges locked in a finals berth with a comprehensive 66-point win over Northern Knights at Preston City Oval on Saturday. The Ranges conceded the first goal of the game, then piled on 12 of the last 13 majors to run out 12.11 (83) to 2.5 (17) victors in Round 20.

We took note of some of the players who caught the eye from the contest.

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

#1 Somer McCormack
Midfielder/Forward | 162cm | 22/01/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 6 marks, 5 tackles, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

The Vic Metro representative was really busy across the ground finding plenty of ball in the Knights’ loss both on the inside and outside. Her efficiency was down with most of her disposals coming under pressure or perceived pressure, but she did well extracting the ball out of the contest and tried to create some transitional running. Had a shot on goal from 25 metres out that uncharacteristically fell short, but did well using her vision to switch play when further afield.

#2 Maddison Meagher
Wing | 164cm | 02/08/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 3 marks, 8 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s

Eastern was well aware of the danger that Meagher possessed and ensured she did not have too much free time to break lines and burst away. While there were no four-bounce running goals in this one, she still had a couple of highlight reel moments when getting a gap on her opponents and she was hard to stop from there. Kicking was hit and miss considering the pressure and Ranges’ setup, but her metres gained whenever she managed to get time, is always going to be a massive plus, as her her elite defensive pressure.

#5 Lola Stone
Wing | 172cm | 27/05/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 8 marks, 1 tackle, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Running hard up and down the ground, Stone was usually helping mop up at half-back and look to settle down play and retain possession. She continually worked into space, took a number of relieving marks, and was able to create some ascendancy with her work. She had a nice moment streaming inside 50 late in the second term then marked and killed the clock less than two minutes later in the dying seconds. Finished strongly with the last kick of the day.

#12 Deena Gerges
Midfielder/Forward | 175cm | 21/06/2010

Stats: 18 disposals, 1 mark, 4 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 behind

Always looking like doing something amazing, Gerges had her moments around the ball and pushing forward to try and impact the scoreboard, with her defensive pressure up to match that of her offensive impact. Her ‘almost’ play of the day was when she launched a shot on goal from 50 off a step but the bounce close to the goalline went astray for just a behind. Gerges did well with her stoppage craft, often sharking the ball and getting it going the other way, and her coalface impact was superb.

#17 Alli Allen
Defender | 172cm | 15/10/2008

Stats: 23 disposals, 9 marks, 5 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

The Vic Metro MVP was back in her defensive role, but her added hard-running offensive flair was still there, and it culminated in a nice running goal midway through the second term to answer seven straight from the Ranges. For the most part, Allen did her best work intercepting in the backline, and was usually the chosen target from the kickout so she could mark in the back pocket then thump it long or take the game on. Allen produced a number of crucial defensive moments, none bigger than her sprinting, courageous spoil to get the ball over the boundary line on the wing.

EASTERN RANGES:

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackle, 5 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Showcasing her usual power and surge mentality, Semple tried to create some clear runs forward and break forward to get her side on the front foot. She didn’t have it easy with the Knights aware of that explosive power, and there was even a moment when Semple was caught holding the ball by the even quicker Meagher. Overall was solid and both got her dirty on the inside, and also looked to be a receiver on the outside.

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

Stats: 14 disposals, 7 marks, 1 tackle, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 goals, 1 behind

Fresh off reward of a National Draft Combine invite for her outstanding season, Caldicott was stationed forward where she continually presented and provided a fantastic target in the front half. Her aerial presence was a strength, and she had plenty of looks both at the ball and the goals, kicking her first after a terrific contested mark inside 50 and nailed the 20-metre slight angled set shot goal. Her second game after playing on and slotting the goal on the run midway through the fourth term. Liked her ability to crash packs and play as if she is more of a 180cm-plus key forward.

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

Stats: 16 disposals, 2 marks, 2 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

Goulding’s ability to create some nice run in the front half and is neat with her skills going forward helps keep the pressure on opposition defences. She kicked a goal of her own late in the first term when the momentum was going the other way, kicking a great major from a handball receive out of a forward stoppage. While she did spray a latter attempt out of bounds, she was lively, and her hands through traffic and footy smarts come to the fore. Only small, but has some great footy traits and will be a midfielder to watch next season.

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

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 3 goals, 1 behind

Eastern’s envious depth of talent was on display with Rankin have the flexibility to just go forward in the second and fourth terms and kick three goals, while having a couple of other chances as well. The clean and hard midfielder has had some enormous performances, but from an impact perspective none might be better. She kicked her three, but also set up two goals to Isabella Lord and another couple of passes that resulted in shots on goal as well. Just about everything she touched turned to gold, and her reading of the play and ability to just find space was fantastic. Even when less efficient at the coalface, she continued to burrow in, get her hands dirty and keep the ball moving forward.

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

Stats: 24 disposals, 8 marks, 3 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

Racking up a game-high 24 disposals in the win, Williams provided plenty of dare and dash from the back half, while also spending time on the wing too. She is an aggressively offensive player with her running capacity, and she converts intercepts into forward thrusts, while also getting deeper in defence to mop up and clear the danger. Williams’ point of difference is her ability to use her opposite foot which was most evident late in the game. She clunked an intercept mark on the wing, kicked into the corridor, ran past with a one-two handball receive then nailed the pass inside 50 off the non-preferred left to find Caldicott on the lead. Second best behind Rankin in the game.

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

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Held up strongly in defence, taking a number of relieving marks in the back half, and her positioning allowed her to be a thorn in the Knights’ side. The left-footer’s kicking is still an area that is refining, but her aerial prowess and defensive positioning stands out, with Gill able to read the play from downfield and then send it back from where it came. Not too dissimilar to Tahlia Gillard at the same age.

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

Stats: 18 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

The ever reliable Glew was constantly helping clear the dangers from defence, and attacked the ball hard. At one point a crude tackle on McCormack – with no harm done – ushered an apology from the defender, as she continued to go about her business to both quell the Knights’ forward thrusts, and also begin the first point of attack. A little hit and miss by foot coming out of the back half with the pressure both there and further afield, but has some nice vision and is willing to take the riskier pass if it opens the game up.

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

Stats: 22 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal

Anderson started forward and rotated on-ball, essentially switching with Rankin in the role for the match. She kicked a major in the first term with a clever snap at the top of the goalsquare, and while that turned out of be her only major, she still got her hands on the ball. Unsurprisingly she had 15 of her 22 disposals in the quarters when she was predominantly on-ball, but her traits still shone wherever she played. A strong body who can get her hands free and cleanly dish off, Anderson set up scoring chances through her releases, and she reads the play exceptionally well.