Eastern Ranges marked a significant milestone, claiming both Boys and Girls premiership flags in the same season for the first time in Coates Talent League history.
Adelaide Caldicott and Brylee Anderson, who developed their interest in football with Healesville Junior Football Club, were happy to be part of this outstanding achievement.
Caldicott plays on the wing while Anderson plays in the midfield.
Caldicott lifted the premiership flag in her first year in the Coates Talent League and Anderson in her third year.
“It felt really good, obviously, because of our history we had. We’ve made the grand final three years in a row, but never managed to win, but this year, we did,” Caldicott said.
“It was pretty exciting. We worked hard all year, and to celebrate with the girls after the siren went was pretty spectacular,” Anderson said.
Eastern Ranges Girls took on Dandenong Stingrays Girls in the grand final.
The Ranges dominated the game from the first quarter and finished up with a 38-point victory.
“We really played well together as a team,” Caldicott said.
Anderson’s performance shone brightly on the ground, kicking a goal and being named as one of the Best Players.
“I think it was one of the best games we’d played all year. Everyone was switched on from the start,” Anderson said.
Anderson naturally got into football by watching her father and two brothers playing, while Caldicott started playing it relatively recently.
Anderson began playing football from the Auskick level, and Caldicott joined the Healesville Junior Football Club in 2022, following her friends.
The two footballers said Healesville has a good football environment where they could develop their skills and which they are thankful for, but there is a huge gap between the Outer East Football League and Coates Talent League in terms of pace, performance and skills.
After experiencing Coates Talent League for one season, Caldicott could get clear direction on what she needs to work on to improve her performance, thanks to the coaches’ advice.
Starting up the season, the presence of Anderson, who used to play together for the Healesville Junior Football Club, helped Caldicott adjust to the new team, environment, and league with higher intensity.
“It was really good knowing that I had a few friends there,” Caldicott said.
“It’s pretty nerve-racking going into a whole different team. But Brylee and a few of my friends are really helpful and supportive, and showed me around.”
Both talented footballers are now dreaming of playing at the professional level.
When asked about the players they look up to, the two 17-year-old girls named different players.
“I look up to a couple of Eastern girls who played last year and got drafted, like Georgie Brisbane and Grace Belloni,” Anderson said.
“I like to model my game on Charlie Rowbottom from the (Gold Coast) Suns. I feel like I kind of play a bit like her, so I love watching her play.”
“Western Bulldog captain Ellie Blackburn is a real inspiration,” Caldicott said.
“Her role modelling and leadership are really good.”
