Albury-Wodonga Lady Bandits coach Michael Brookens couldn’t be happier to have young playmaking dynamo Eaton on board for this year’s SEABL campaign.

The first-year coach said Eaton would be a crucial component of a rebuilding effort that will hopefully drag the Border outfit back to respectability.

Albury-Wodonga suffered through yet another miserable season last year, winning just one solitary game.

“I think Ashton will fit in perfectly,” he said.

“The conversations we’ve had, her professionalism, her work ethic, her attitude, is the one thing I think we can all learn from.

“My expectations for her is to try to get the best out of her I can.

“I trust her to handle the ball and make decisions and to make the team better.

“She’s a great asset for the club, the sky’s the limit for her and I think here is the right time and place for her to take her position as one of the best point guards in the league.”

Eaton comes to the Lady Bandits as a highly rated recruit, playing a critical role in Hobart’s conference championship last year, averaging 8.5 points, three rebounds and two assists a game.

Having endured several seasons of being the league’s doormat with the Lady Chargers, Eaton said her experience in helping build a successful club would be an important aspect of her role.

“When Hobart started out, we were in the same situation,” Eaton said.

“The first year we didn’t win a game.

“So I’ve been in that situation before and there was a lot of building before we got to the championship last year.”