NAB League Girls: Charlotte Baskaran and Montana Ham among Western Jets’ best prospects

Two young guns touted as potential top 10 AFLW draft selections headline a Western Jets squad littered with talent. Here’s who to keep an eye on.

Two of the Western Jets’ most promising talents are grabbing the headlines on the eve of the NAB League Girls season but the squad runs much deeper according to coach Robbie Chancellor.

The Jets will have to wait a little longer to start their season having been handed a bye in the opening round.

They’ll kick things off with a trip to Tasmania on Sunday, January 30 as they look to improve on last year’s eighth place finish.

AFL Academy members Charlotte Baskaran and Montana Ham have both been touted as potential top 10 selections in this year’s AFLW Draft and have caught Chancellor’s eye throughout pre-season.

Charlotte Baskaran is regarded as one of the Jets best prospects of 2022. Photo: AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“Charlotte and Montana are two examples of where the women’s game is going with their ability and knowledge,” he said.

“They’re both different types of players but have the ability to impact games in all different parts of the ground.”

Baskaran won plaudits from onlookers last season for her “skilful” ball use having played for Vic Metro at under 17 and 19 level in 2021.

She is still one of the youngest players among this year’s potential draft crop as she will not turn 18 until December.

“Charlotte is a player who can win her own ball on the inside and outside,” Chancellor said.

“And it’s an added bonus she is skilful on both sides of her body which still remains an underrated skill in today’s game.”

Ham, who Chancellor described as a “powerful footballer”, was the only bottom aged player to represent Vic Metro in both of their Under 19 Championship games last year.

She averaged 18 disposals, 3.3 marks and five tackles in NAB League action last season.

“Her clearance and stoppage work is fantastic,” Chancellor said.

“Montana has got a great potential to go onto higher honours. One of her standout traits is the fact she can play in a variety of positions across the ground but predominantly as an inside midfielder.”

Montana Ham will be aiming to build off the back of a successful 2021. Photo: AFL Photos/Getty Images.

Krystal Russell and Kiera Whiley are the two other members of the Jets squad who have earned selection in the Vic Metro under 19 hub this season.

Russell is expected to play in the ruck with Chancellor most impressed by her followed up work having “improved out of sight”.

Chancellor said Whiley was an outside midfield who showed a “strong commitment” to earning her place in the team last season and is ready to take the next step in 2022.

The quartet including Stephanie Asciak, Paige Ryan, Caitlin Sargeant and Trinity Skenderis were also named as players to keep an eye on.

WESTERN JETS 2022 NAB LEAGUE GIRLS SQUAD

Charlotte Baskaran (Aberfeldie)

Gracie Lamers (Burnside Heights)

Camryn Tyrrell (Werribee Districts)

Trinity Skenderis (Essendon Doutta Stars)

Hayley Baber (Spotswood )

Jasmine Farrugia (Spotswood)

Annie Gray (Hillside)

Paige Ryan (Point Cook)

Paige Trajkovski (Spotswood)

Tamara Henry (Darley)

Stephanie Asciak (Caroline Springs)

India Barker (Maribyrnong Park)

Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner (Spotswood)

Kiera Whiley (Caroline Springs)

Sierra Grieves (Yarraville Seddon Eagles)

Ella Tyson (Darley)

Lou-Lou Field (Werribee Districts)

Isabel Choate (Spotswood )

Emily Heaney (Yarraville Seddon Eagles)

Stella Cossey (Williamstown Juniors)

Kensley Ward (Spotswood)

Jade Desira (Spotswood )

Giselle Lambley (Caroline Springs)

Laura Elliott (Coburg Lions)

Nicole Besnard (Darley)

Macy Vicino (Williamstown Juniors)

Caitlin Sargent (Caroline Springs)

Mia Spiteri (Hillside)

Kiera Leare (Hillside)

Megan Smart (Altona)

Joudy Joud (Spotswood)

Montelle Pontisso (Darley)

Kymberly Bays (Point Cook)

Kasey Maddock (Spotswood)

Bella Page (Point Cook)

Bella Phillips (Melton Centrals)

Sarah Dickie (Spotswood )

Montana Ham (Keilor)

Najet Ajaimy (Keilor)

Hayley Borg (Williamstown Juniors)

Jade Cilia (Point Cook)

Mia Graf (Spotswood)

Kate Maxwell (Moonnee Valley)

Merisa Laga Aoga Isu Leota (Spotswood)

Shiralee Nicholls (Spotswood)

Hannah Juricskay (Yarraville/ Flemington)

Serena Zammit (Caroline Springs)

Akima Manoah (Burnside Heights)

Tara Phillips (Spotswood )

Krystal Russell (Yarraville Seddon Eagles)

Jess Court (Williamstown Juniors)

Lily Hudson (Williamstown Juniors)

Hannah Brodie (Taylors Lakes)

Jasmine Chambers (Point Cook Centrals)

Madison Mountjoy (Hillside)