NAB League Girls: Eastern Ranges captain Bridget Deed gathers 36 touches in Round 1 win

An Eastern Ranges gun could make a shock AFLW debut after a monster game in the NAB League Girls season-opener.

Bridget Deed with the ball for Eastern.

It was a scorching first-up performance.

Eastern Ranges captain Bridget Deed had 36 touches in her side’s 23-point win over Calder Cannons in the NAB League Girls season opener on at Kilsyth Reserve on Saturday.

She racked up 18 kicks and 18 handballs — and was equally adept on both sides of her body — to accumulate the most possessions in the league by some distance.

Throw in five clearances and seven tackles and she was brilliant.

“They’re numbers you see in the boys program and at AFL level,’’ Eastern Ranges coach Travis Cloke said.

“She was sensational.’’

Deed’s dazzling display was noticed by AFLW clubs, with Cloke revealing several had “reached out” in the last couple of days, enquiring about the former Mt Evelyn junior.

It’s understood West Coast Eagles, who play against St Kilda in Frankston on Friday night, are interested in securing the 18-year-old as a fill-in player.

“It would be fantastic if she got an opportunity at AFL level this year,” Cloke said.

Eastern Ranges players Isabelle Khoury (fourth from left) and Bridget Deed (fifth from left) during the 2021 NAB League Girls Testing Day. Picture: Mark Jesser

Eastern Ranges kicked the first three goals of the game to set up their 5.8 (38) to 2.3 (15) win over Calder.

Isabelle Khoury was influential with 23 touches, 10 tackles and nine clearances as the Ranges controlled play.

Ranges best and fairest winner Mia Busch had an outstanding game off half back and through the midfield, starting the season like she finished 2021.

Newcomer Mia Austin was lively up forward and in the ruck, having a game-high 24 hit outs and showing amazing athleticism and vertical jump.

Tilly Hardy (21 disposals) and Ruby O’Dwyer (19) also impressed.

Cloke was delighted with his players’ composure with ball in hand.

“On numerous occasions we held possession which at this level is quite important,” he said.

“And the girls did things which I was actually kind of blown away with a little bit. You think, ‘gee, we’ve got this’.

“You kind of look forward to the next training session because you can advance so much quicker than you thought you might have.”