by Jed Lanyon
As the upcoming AFLW Draft draws closer, there are several Eastern Ranges prospects who could see their names called out on 27 July.
After a strong season where the club made a preliminary final and had many players featured in Vic Metro’s Under 19 Girls squad, there are a few players who could make a strong case for draft selection.
All-Australian ruck Georgia Campbell is eligible to be selected as a father-daughter candidate for Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, where her father Adrian played 30 and two games respectively.
Campbell put in an impressive 2021 season averaging 20 hitouts and kicking eight goals across nine games. Her impact at ground level and athleticism were a highlight during the 2021 NAB League season.
Tough midfielder Olivia Meagher played just three games with the Ranges this season. Meagher opted to join Collingwood’s VFLW team, where they were set to play off in the grand final over the weekend before the latest lockdown postponed the game.
Meagher, who played for Upper Ferntree Gully as a junior, averaged 18.7 disposals and five tackles in her three games with the Ranges.
Campbell and Meagher were both offered invitations to the AFLW Draft Combine along with Keeley Sherar, Cadhla Schmidli. Both Schmidli and Sherar featured in the Vic Metro Under 19s team.
Other senior players to keep an eye on include: Jorja Livingstone, Izzy Khoury, Matilda Hardy, Bridget Deed, El Chaston, and Ruby O’Dwyer.
