New Eagles mentor Jody Roth said the Merrivale premiership midcourter had slotted back into the Eagles’ line-up seamlessly.

Carter was among the Bushfield-based club’s best in its four shortened hit-outs as part of Hampden league’s pre-season competition at Friendly Societies’ Park on Saturday.

Roth said Carter’s experience and game nous were invaluable.

“Elisha Carter has just been pivotal today,” she said.

“She’s come back after three years of being in the minor league and she’s hit her straps today.

“She is just a powerhouse. She’s a great example.

“She doesn’t have height on her side but when it comes to training she puts in and everyone else lifts to her tempo.”

Roth, whose Eagles played Hamilton Kangaroos in a mini final, said the pre-season matches gave her a chance to test out players in different positions and play juniors, including Laura Lafferty and Sophie Chow.

“One thing I am really pleased with the girls is they’re following instructions and they’ve been accountable,” she said of her squad.

“I have really tried to push home communication.”

The Eagles — the competition’s surprise 2013 premiers — are aiming for another finals tilt.

Roth said the club had a good mix of youth and experience to push for a double chance. 

“Even though we have a young team and have lost three big powerhouses (Maddie Smedts, Laura Blackburn and Sophie Barr), I have the skill there and it’s about nurturing the girls through,” she said.

Roth said she’d enjoyed her first pre-season as Eagles coach and was excited about the potential of their list.

“Every coach has got their own coaching style, it doesn’t make us right or wrong,” she said.

“I am about communicating with my players. I am not here to dictate, I am here to guide them.

“I think at A grade level that’s how it should be.

“They are in A grade because they have the skill and now it’s about bringing it all together.”

Roth is based in Tarrington, five minutes from Hamilton.

But the commute is not a hindrance, rather a positive for the busy mother-of-five.

“As a coach I am really enjoying it because that hour I get to drive home, it’s all fresh in my mind,” she said.

“I’ll pull over on the side of the road and write a note down and will think ‘yep, we’ve got to work on that’,” Roth said.