- Team<\/li><\/ul><\/div>
Eastern Ranges<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Swans Academy<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\nEASTERN RANGES:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
#8 <\/strong>Adelaide Caldicott<\/a>
Forward | 172cm | 18\/04\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats: <\/strong>14 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 goal, 1 behind<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Outside the usual suspects, Caldicott was one player who stood up and kept presenting, looking lively in that front half. As a medium-tall forward, Caldicott moved well and had a number of chances on goal, including kicking her side’s first major in the seventh minute of the second term. She just missed another just 90 seconds later, and continually looked dangerous despite having limited supply. Worked hard in the air and also cracked in when required at ground level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#12<\/strong> Emily Rankin<\/a>
Midfielder | 166cm | 11\/05\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats:<\/strong> 26 disposals, 2 marks, 8 tackles, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The skipper is always going to bring 100 per cent effort, and while the going out of the middle was tough, she continually buried herself around the contest and fed out handballs when required. She applied as much pressure as anyone else, and while her efficiency was down on her usual impact by foot, Rankin never stopped having a crack. She possesses such clean hands and nice smarts, and will keep fighting until the final siren, which is something she certainly did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#17<\/strong> Lara Williams<\/a>
Defender\/Midfielder | 168cm | 29\/08\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats: 17 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 2 clearances, 1 inside 50, 4 rebound 50s, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most impactful ball user on the day from Eastern, Williams spent the bulk of her time in defence, often taking the kickouts or being the first receiver, then went into the midfield where she got forward and even kicked a goal in the fourth quarter. With a memorable ‘team photo’ celebration that Eastern players have been known for over the last couple of years after the major, it showed the spirits were still high despite the scoreline. Rarely wasted a disposal, and kicked her goal from a high free kick, a quarter after she gave one away in unlucky circumstances. Ran at 82 per cent disposal efficiency and also put her body on the line when required too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#29<\/strong> Ellie Busch<\/a>
Defender | 174cm | 13\/03\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats:<\/strong> 16 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles, 5 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The younger sister of Essendon’s Mia<\/em><\/strong> continues to build a really rock solid season to put her hand up for Vic Metro representation. A nice balance of offensive and defensive traits, Busch provides run and carry out of the back half, and while often under pressure she can make some errors, always competes and with time or space makes nice decisions. Took a nice contested mark and continued to drive the ball from danger across half-back down the field in tough conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#35<\/strong> Brylee Anderson<\/a>
Midfielder | 173cm | 25\/03\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats: <\/strong>26 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Returned to the side after missing last week and had an equal team-high 26 disposals, albeit with some highs and lows. She always provides a contest, put her body on the line and won her fair share of the ball, though like many Ranges, did not have the space afforded to her as she has in past weeks. Worked hard across the four quarters and always competes at the coalface, while providing a strong aerial presence when around the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.central.rookieme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ER-Lara-Williams-1024x683.jpg\")
Lara Williams was impressive in defence and then kicked a goal late. Image credit: Rookie Me Central<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n SWANS ACADEMY:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
#1 Charlotte Tidemann<\/a><\/strong>
Defender\/Wing | 169cm | 08\/08\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats:<\/strong> 20 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 7 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The National Academy member provided her typical run and carry out of defence, usually being one of the first options from the kickout. She is constantly on the move to try and provide speed in transition and is not afraid to cut off angles when required, looking for those one-two’s to keep the opposition guessing. Came off late in the match when run-down in a tackle, but prior to that, had been a key cog in the defensive half with her ability to mop up and add that outside class in tough conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#2 Evie Bowie<\/a><\/strong>
Midfielder | 170cm | 31\/12\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats:<\/strong> 17 disposals, 4 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Has enjoyed a really strong start to the 2026 season and that continued in the win over Eastern. Bowie cracked in and found her fair share of the ball, able to extract it out for teammates and using her strength to dish off even when under pressure. Had minimal room all game with the bulk of her disposals coming at the coalface, but was able to link up by hand or clear the danger zone, recording an impressive five clearances against a quality opposition midfield. Paired well with Russell around the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#3 Frances Walsh<\/a><\/strong>
Wing | 173cm | 30\/01\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats:<\/strong> 25 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Was one of her side’s best early and kept that momentum going throughout the game, with her defensive pressure and high-level competitiveness on show. She brings others into the game with quick handballs and continually holds her width to get into ball-winning positions. Found plenty of the pill in the game and took it on whenever possible. If given any time or space can be damaging with ball in hand, and though less effective under pressure, will always follow up with a second or third effort to ensure her team either wins the ball, or she can neutralise the threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#8 Grace Parsons<\/a>
Ruck | 180cm | 10\/12\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats:<\/strong> 15 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles, 26 hitouts, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 2 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was a big question mark coming into the game with Amaia Wain <\/strong>drafted as to who would take over the ruck minutes and how they would fair, but Parsons just slotted straight in from being the pinch-hit ruck to holding the number one mantle fairly comfortably. Using her experience over her younger opponents, she competed well at the stoppages, and also followed up around the ground, getting involved in transitional plays with her mobility there for all to see. One over-ager who is in the mix at year’s end, she is generally a lovely field kick and looks comfortable around the ball even if she is a touch undersize compared to some of the modern day rucks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#9 Lucinda Watson<\/a>
Forward\/Midfielder | 161cm | 25\/11\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats:<\/strong> 23 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 1 behind<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another over-ager who impressed and arguably played her best game of the 2026 season was Watson, who played well in that half-forward\/mid rotational role. She pops up and just finds the ball, while linking up with teammates consistently. A little hit or miss at times with her kicking, she worked hard into space, continued to dig deep and set up scoring opportunities by winning the ball and putting it into dangerous positions. Was one of the busier Swans throughout the four quarters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#10 Aurelia Russell<\/a><\/strong>
Midfielder | 160cm | 03\/12\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nStats:<\/strong> 27 disposals, 6 tackles, 7 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the ground Russell looked best afield, and the statistics back that up with her ability to consistently not only get into ball-winning positions, but her natural footy smarts allow her to maximise both her work in traffic, and her vision forward of centre. The amount of times she would win the ball in heavy congestion and use her low centre of gravity to spin or weave and get out of trouble was outstanding, and she often drew multiple opponents which freed up a teammate. She is classy when in open space, and showed an all-round ability to win the ball in space as well as at the coalface. The best midfielder on the day, while also kicking a brilliant goal to cap off a memorable afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n