U14 Girls Match Report

Round 1

This was a great day for local footy to kick off the season proper. A cold wet day with club colours on display, families and supporters cheering on the different teams on the day.

Pre-game, we raised some concerns about the state of the ground with the area around the centre square in particularly bad shape. It was decided that this area would be cordoned off and declared out of bounds. This was noted with the officials and reported to the league.

Kyra and Leah made their debut for us and were given a baptism of fire. These girls have quickly been accepted by the group and have assimilated into the team. It is great to see our girls welcome and accept new players like they have.

Out on the field, with only nine players available for this round, (due to illness, injury and previous commitments as it was still school holidays,) playing against a strong and full side, we were up against it. The players that were able to attend accepted the situation we were faced with and were not intimidated at all by the enormous task before us. I am very proud of the fighting spirit this team showed.

Lexi, in ruck up against wave after wave of talls coming at her at every bounce did incredibly well and her efforts in the centre were commendable. Great leadership effort from Lexi.

Raelene, Ella, Kyra and Leah, two of whom were making their debut for us did extremely well in defence again, faced with waves of attacks from Chirnside Park.

We held our own in the one-on-one contests out in the middle, but with an opposition with a full bench and good use of their rotations, they were always going to be the fresher side.

Raelene was singled out by Chirnside Park for her efforts in defence and awarded player of the round by them. We thank Chirnside Park for this gesture and their acknowledgment of our efforts. Even they were impressed by our tenacity despite the odds!

This game was a real test of our mettle and the fact that the playing group has remained committed to the team is testament to their character. In only a few short weeks as a team, I am blown away by how much these girls have come together as a group.

This was also a test for the coaching group as we begin our path in our new roles. With the help and support of those around us, we will work to bring out the best in the playing group this season.

Round 2

Today was another difficult day, lining up against a strong Mitcham side. With some players playing with injury and others recovering from illness, it was always going to be a hard task against a strong side.

The first quarter was excellent! We held the reigning premiers scoreless with an energetic and gritty start. Kyra held her opponent well, a great effort. The team held its formation well and used the width of the ground to keep Mitcham at bay.

Mitcham kicked away from us as our depth was challenged in the next two quarters.  We lost our way a little bit as the game moved to the centre of the ground where Mitcham had the numbers and size, but this is something we can work on together as a team in the coming weeks.

We spoke to the players about the need for communication, shepherding, and using the width of the ground and lateral movement of the ball to our advantage. We also spoke about keeping our formation and staying on our players. We will work on some drills that will address this.

It was good to have Lily back on deck and this gave Lexi a reprieve in the centre ruck contests. Mitcham had quite a few ‘rucks’ and really pressed our ruck duo hard, but they held strong and ball ups in the centre square were hard fought all day.

We laid some great tackles, had some great effective kicks, and kept the pressure on throughout a lot of the game, and we really showed that we are not too far off being a formidable opponent to teams like this.

Raelene and Ella stayed in the backline for the duration of the match and had a hard job keeping the waves of attacks at bay, and this dynamic duo did well against some very strong kickers. I am very proud of both girls as they maintained a composure well beyond their years in very trying circumstances. Lesser players would have folded.

Clara was one of the standouts today, she showed her versatility, playing well in a few different roles, as we tried different tactics to stop their run.

Overall, our team had some great passages of play, laying some great tackles and effective disposals, and showing some great vision. Again, we are still coming together as a team, coaches included, and we have had two difficult games that would have tested the mettle of any team. I have every confidence that we can all grow together as a team and success is not far off.

Round 3

This round was a BYE

Round 4

Pre-game, both teams lined up in silence, and bowed our heads as a sign of respect to our troops who have served and continue to serve our country.

The game itself was fitting of the occasion, with both teams playing very well, and pushing each other for the whole four quarters. It was a true arm-wrestle of a match.

We matched their intensity in all aspects of the game. We kept our formation and were in most of the contests for the majority of the game.

Our back line of Raelene, Ella, Leah and Kyra kept their formation well and kept the opposition’s scoring to a minimum.

Up front Fenix and Clara were instrumental in getting the ball from the centre to Jess deep in attack and we showed that we can score goals and move the ball forward. We scored more in the first quarter of this game than the two previous matches combined.

Our centre trio of Lexie, Lily, and Gemma held the middle well, with support out wide by Shayla, Pippa, Gypsie and Ruby, who took the ball away from the centre and pushed forward.

Lexie took a nasty knock and had to come off for a spell. Ava, who had been chomping at the bit to get involved, got her chance. Despite advising her to stay away from direct contests, she quickly found herself in the thick of it. Ella also took a knock to the ankle and came off for a spell to reset.

With the inability to rest and rotate players, and still being a reasonably new outfit, we lost our formation as fatigue set in and gave away a few uncontested possessions at crucial times.

All in all, we showed that we are a team that has a lot to offer and have the arsenal to be competitive this season. We can score goals, defend well, and get the ball out of the centre.

I am very proud of the effort the girls have put in and feel confident that we can only improve from here. We will continue to work on our skills, match tactics and getting to know each other. Most importantly we will work on enjoying our footy and being part of a team.

Round 5

We went into the match down to 13 players just prior to the game, and without the Head Coach due to illness. Heathmont offered to loan us a player so we were able to take to the field. What our team lacks in player numbers, they continually more than make up for in effort and determination.

This week we also acknowledge not only the amazing players but also the parents and volunteers. From stepping into duties last minute, helping with mental health, and offering valuable coaching advice. We would not be able to make it out onto the field without this wonderful support. Thank you.

Overall the scoreboard did not reflect the effort, with Heathmont finishing 25 points clear. The work rate that our girls put in was once again phenomenal, with increased effort and contests from Shayla finding another gear in the middle and displaying her rapidly evolving skills getting into contests, to Leah and Fenix seemingly covering everywhere on the ground including Leah in the ruck, Lexie offering up the crushing tackles, even with a banged up finger and Ruby quit literally giving every breath she had. Our midfield executed their plan really well incorporating some strategies we worked on at training, while we made some rotations through the midfield in an effort to save some energy to last out the game. Just prior to half time we lost Lily to injury finding ourselves down another player.  Jess extended her lead as our leading goal scorer. The girls could easily have given in, but everyone of them continued to fight until the final siren, a testament to their character.

We will reflect on the challenges and review what further changes we need to bring in and continue to work towards fixing the small things to reach our full potential. 

Round 6

On a beautiful Mothers' Day morning, Raelene, who was celebrating her 50th Game, led the team out onto our home turf. Many of the players and people in the crowd were wearing pink to mark Breast Cancer awareness.

We started the game off well, scoring the first goal in a hotly contested first few minutes. A late first quarter hiccup, and some unlucky bounces saw the opposition score a couple of quick goals leading into the first break.

In the middle two quarters, as the intensity of the game picked up, we lost our way and gave away undisciplined free kicks. We did not mark closely when we should have and gave away uncontested possession in key areas at critical times. 

The final quarter saw our girls show the true grit and determination that we know they have. They went out there and played one of the best quarters of football they have ever played. Unfortunately, a deep bench of six or seven players, and the opposition's rotation of fresh legs was the telling factor again this week.

Pippa and Kyra showed that they are understanding their roles and what is required of them. Pippa with her quick hands and feet around the pack and Kyra shutting down her opponent very effectively.  Raelene and Leah rotated from the back line up to the centre of the park and they did an outstanding job. Jess showed her speed and strong kicking up front and in defence. Lexie and Gemma teamed up well in the centre again this week. Lily played with an injury and was limited in what she could do, but not wanting to let her teammates down, took to the field as well and we appreciate this gesture. Ava, Clara and Lexie, although nursing back from injuries, played well today too.

Individually, the girls did extremely well and despite being up against 21 players, they held their own and we showed that we have the mettle to win games.

Although they did not come away with the points they made their mothers, grandmothers, aunties and all the special women in their lives proud. 

We will work on picking up players, contesting marks and our hard ball gets will need to improve. We will also need to learn to reset quickly at stoppages and neutralise the opposition overlapping runs. Skills we can work on. The camaraderie, and the way the girls respect and have each other's back cannot be established in training drills. They just have it.

Round 7

In contrast to the last few games, today was a cold and rainy afternoon which saw Kyra lead the team out as captain. Pre-game we spoke about what the expectations were and what we needed to work on:

· Picking up your player

· Contest marks, not giving away easy possessions

· Running back from midfield to help the backline

We recognised that we were up against a team with a similar number of players and having the same niggling injuries that we have. They also have a similar standing in the ladder to us. This was going to be an evenly contested game. We spoke about how this was going to be a tough game given the conditions.

The opening quarter saw only one point kicked, a clear indication of how much of a tough game this was going to be.

In the second quarter, with a near-full squad, and with a bench, we were able to capitalise on being able to rotate players. We went into the long break with a 13-point lead.

We recognised that they would throw everything at us in the third quarter. And they sure did! They started off with two quick goals and threatened to derail our game. Again, we were able to use our rotation and scored a timely goal that steadied the ship and stopped their push. We managed to end the quarter with a 7-point lead.

Going into the final quarter, we knew that they would again try and throw everything at us, so we prepared by bolstering up our backline with some of our proven performers. Ella, Leah, and Lexie took to the backline with Kyra in her role stopping the charge up the middle. Our midfielders knew they would be called on to race back to assist the defenders as East Ringwood pressed forward. Shayla, Pippa and Ruby did great in running back to help the defenders. Gemma and Gypsy roved with determination assisting our rucks out in the middle. Clara and Jess, again rotating into different on-ball positions around the square, did a great job, both feeding the forward line and racing back to help the defence. Fenix and Ava again teaming up well to get us into the attack. This last quarter was another arm-wrestle with every possession being a hard ball get. Fortunately, we were able to score a goal and get some breathing room. East Ringwood, to their credit, kept coming at us, but our girls stood up to the challenge and came away with a hard-earned 13-point victory. The final score was not a true indication of how close these two teams matched up.

Tori made her debut for the club and had an awesome first hit out. After a tentative start, she soon found herself in the thick of the action and fearlessly crashed through the pack to put the team into attack. Tori has made an impression with the team, and we are encouraged by her enthusiasm and enjoyment of the game.

Matilda made her comeback, joining the line-up for the first time this season, with immediate impact. She too found herself in the action stringing some great passes and helping the forwards to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Lily, still nursing an injury, was not able to join in the ruck and took another hit to the shoulder taking her out of the game for a spell. With Lexie taking a knock to the leg, Raelene was asked to step up to the rucking role and was inspirational in her effort.

Last but not least, our runner, Nick covered so much ground today, often running out to move players around only to be sent out again to make some more changes as soon as he got back to the bench. We acknowledge and appreciate his efforts.

This squad has a never say die attitude, respect for each other and has each other’s back. This was truly a team effort and the way the girls came together as a team today was memorable.

Round 8

The sun was out but it was a cold day that saw Ella lead the team out to our home game.

Grace Howard, recruited from our Pizza night, made her debut.

We started off well scoring the first couple of points, unlucky not to start with goals. Unfortunately, we soon lost our way with players losing their position and leaving unmarked players to score easily and take the lead.

We found ourselves in injury trouble with Lexie, Shayla, Gemma, Ruby and Gypsy all sustaining a knock or exacerbating an existing niggle. Lily, out of the game nursing that shoulder. Thankfully we had Mackenzie, Tigerlily, and Grace B on loan from the under 12’s to help bolster our bench.

Tori, in only her second game, again stood out with her tremendous efforts. Scoring her first goal and working so hard that not even her boots could handle the intensity!

Jess and Fenix had standout games in the centre. Ella and Raelene played their roles well and again held their own in trying circumstances. Clara the quiet achiever did incredibly well and her subtle touches were fantastic to see.

Lexie, again commanding the respect of all on the ground with her strong presence out in the centre.

It was during this adjustment period that we further lost our way and found ourselves up against it to come back. On the scoreboard we had as many scoring shots as they did but they were more accurate than us. But that is the nature of the beast.

All in all, today was a disappointing result, but it was not out on the ground that the biggest lapses occurred. This was a defeat that as coach, I will need to accept responsibility for. I was not clear in explaining what I wanted the team to do out in the field. And without a clearly laid out game plan, this is the result we would expect. I will take this knock as a learning opportunity in my coaching journey.

This group has every quality that makes a great team, and I will continue to work on capturing and bringing this out.

Round 9

A sunshiny MND round saw Shayla lead the squad out on our home ground.

We started off with good intensity and it was just bad luck with a few bounces going the wrong way that stopped us from opening the scoring.

Kilsyth are a polished side and their depth, and rotations soon became evident. With a limited bench we, again, were stifled in what we could do with our rotations.

With Lily still out with her injured shoulder and a few players going down with early winter ailments, we struggled to field a full side. We thank Mackenzie for stepping up from the under twelves to give us a bench of one.

Our inexperience was exposed as Kilsyth were able to free a couple of players out the back of the pack and charged our defence time and time again. As has happened a few times this season, we found ourselves chasing runaway players as they closed in on our defensive lines putting our back line under tremendous pressure.

We rotated our players as well as we could around the ground. Although we were strong in the contest, Kilsyth were better at getting on the end of the loose ball and moving it to their advantage.

The positive takeaways were that we were able to find our positions on the field quickly and our starts have been improving each week. We have been competitive at the start and have not been caught flat-footed early on. This is testament to the team going on to the field with a conviction that every game is within reach and set out to prove it. Our last quarter, despite being outnumbered and tired, saw us play the best quarter of the game, with Lexie scoring a goal with a great long kick.

We need to improve on our shepherding and tackle pressure, we often allowed their players to tackle our hard-ball getters and sat back while they took possession of the ball before we moved to shut them down. We also need to be more decisive with our possessions and need to move the ball quickly, especially when under pressure. We need to be in every contest. We will be working on these skills in training.

Round 10

A cold morning saw Tori lead the team out for a 10:05 match at Heatherdale away to Heathmont. No Paul as trainer this weekend so Scott stepped into the role, and we thank him for his assistance today.
 
We knew coming into this game that Heathmont were going to be a physical opponent. Last time we met them with an undermanned side, they exerted their physicality, and they took the win. This time, even though we were not at full strength, with illness and injury again taking its toll, keeping us to 16 players and no bench, we were ready to stand up as a team and show that we came here to play! 

Mackenzie again stepped up from the under12’s and she proved to be a pocket rocket! Thank-you again for your efforts.  

It was a tough, tough match from the opening bounce to the final siren. They tried to exert their physicality on us, but we held strong across all positions on the field. Like we discussed, their intimidation of an undermanned side  was the difference in the last game, and we knew that if we let them intimidate us, they would walk away with an easy win. Well, they did not walk away with an easy win.

As the game wore on, Heathmont realised that we were more than standing up to them and they intensified their physical game. We did not capitulate, and they had to battle for every possession.

Tori and Lexie, a couple of late casualties of this physical game, but these girls proved our fighting spirit. Leaving it all on the pitch.   We played as a team and most of our attack and scoring was the result of a team effort. We put into play our rehearsed pressure play and they were lucky not to be tackled to the ground more often! Our tackling was outstanding, and our pressure was great. We still need to improve a bit on getting to the ball first, but this is about the only thing that let us down during the game, and certainly not the theme of our day.

I could see our girls at the end of the day looking tired but overall satisfied in the knowledge that they have the fortitude as a team to stand up to the physical and mental game. They did not give in. Right to the final siren, they fought, stood up to and hustled the opposition all over the ground. A couple unlucky bounces and umpiring decisions went against us, but that is the nature of the game.

An unlucky one-point loss to a team that was probably thinking of a walkover victory is something that the girls can be proud of. The girls showed that they are not a team to be taken lightly. Heathmont found that out today.

Round 11

Another cold morning saw the girls travel to North Ringwood, where Ava led the team out onto the field.

As has been the case so often this season, our arsenal was heavily depleted with six of our players out with illness or injury. This was going to be a difficult ask of the remaining fifteen girls who took to the field, some of whom were carrying niggling injuries or recovering from winter ailments themselves.

The first quarter was an evenly contested affair. We went into the first break only two points in arrears.

The second quarter saw us dominate and spend a lot of time in the goal square, unfortunately only scoring three behinds, this to the credit of North Ringwood who tied up the ball in that goal square frustrating our attacks. Ella’s game came to an untimely end exacerbating an existing neck injury, she wisely chose to sideline herself, a difficult choice I’m sure as she is a strong team player, and she would not make that decision lightly.

The third quarter started off well for us, even with one less player on the field. Clara kicked a great goal to give us the early lead. Ruby had advised that she was feeling unwell and, as a precaution, she too made the wise decision, under the guidance of our trainer (and dad), Paul, to sit out the remainder of the game. We found ourselves down to thirteen players. With two free players and a bench to rotate through, North Ringwood soon began to use their two extra players to their advantage, scoring two more goals, as we scrambled to try to set a field to negate this advantage. Again, even though depleted in numbers, we were able to play a lot of the game in front of the goal square. Raelene kicked true late in the third quarter to give us a sniff going into the final term.

The final quarter started off well for us and we did the early attacking, again unlucky not to score early. A few unlucky bounces and some unfortunate umpiring calls, and North Ringwood were able to keep us goalless in that last quarter.

We were able to move players through the centre positions and we are beginning to show we have great depth in the middle. Fenix, Clara, Leah, Jess in roving roles were able to support our stand-in rucks of Ava and Raelene, often bursting out of the packs and putting us into the attack. Shayla, Matilda and Summer in the half forward line were able to put us into attack. Anouk and Summer did great rotating from forward to defence in an effort to rotate players as the game wore on. Pippa and Gypsy strong in the wings running both to support our attack and getting back to help defenders as needed. Kyra, holding the centre half back position, marking her player well, ensuring no easy passage up the middle. Ava a real captain’s effort playing where needed and leading the team.

I am extremely proud of the girls, again they held strong in the face of incredible pressure and adversity, again they did not give in and made the opposition earn every possession for four quarters of football. North Ringwood took the points, but the way our girls stood up, I am convinced we too had a victory.

Round 12

A cold morning saw Leah lead the team out away to Blackburn. We knew going into this game that Blackburn was going to really put the pressure on us as we sit just above them on the standings. And come out hard they did! The girls had to be on their game to ensure we were not steam-rolled early on. With our regular runner, Nick being delayed, stand-in runner Lily was called upon early to go out there and ensure our defenders were marking their forwards tightly. And again, soon after she ran out there to let Fenix know how good her early goal was. A close first quarter indicative of how close this game was going to be. 

The second quarter saw Matilda come off the bench to score a goal and Ava too putting one between the sticks to give us a 17-point buffer going into the main break. On the scoreboard this looked like a good lead, but we knew that the scoreboard was not a true picture of how close this game really was. 

The third quarter saw Blackburn deep in attack, with most of the quarter played in the goal square. Our defence somehow kept them at bay. The pressure was non-stop, and we were lucky not to concede on more than a couple of occasions. 

The fourth quarter started out much the same as the third, with the ball in the Blackburn goal square early on in the quarter. At about the halfway mark of the quarter, we were able to move the ball up the ground and the arm wrestle moved to the middle of the ground.  

It was a big team effort to keep Blackburn scoreless in the second half of the game. The scoreboard was not indicative of their determination and the pressure that we had to withstand. 

Leah was inspirational as captain and controlled the centre of the ground. Lexie left it all on the pitch with another big game in the ruck. Great contributions from Raelene who played in the back line and ruck. Strong play from Tori and Clara who fed the ball into the forward line. Pippa, Gypsy, Anouk, Ruby and Summer going up and down the ground to help move the ball forward and coming back to bolster the defence. Ella, Kyra and Shayla holding strong in the backline and Jess and Gemma rotating through on-ball positions to give the rovers much-needed reprieve. 

Thanks to Amy noting tactical requirements and making effective recommendations as we rotated players through the bench. This tactical approach was instrumental in the team victory. Nick again for putting our plan out to the girls on the ground. Paul did great work mentoring the coaches and acting as trainer. Bec, the ever-reliable manager for keeping the sanity on the bench. 

Last week at training, Lexie stated she wanted the team to sing its song this week. And she was one of the loudest voices as we sang our song with gusto after a great win. 

Round 13

A cold morning saw Pippa and Ruby lead a depleted list against a full The Basin squad. We knew this was going to be a big game and we were aware that the ladder leaders probably were of the belief that they were going to claim an easy four points from us. With four extra players on their bench, they had more than just home-ground advantage. The girls were aware of the task ahead of them but were not daunted. They knew that I had faith in them, and they knew they were not going to put their heads down and capitulate. Not without giving it a red-hot go. The girls ran out to prove they had the will to take the game up any team.  

The game was a great credit to the girls who were determined not to give away an easy win. The whole game was played with great energy and intensity. We had our chances, as did they, to put a few goals on the board, but both teams were determined not to let the other take control. 

Our stand-in runner Lily was in the action early reminding players to mark their opponents closely, and to not allow easy possession, especially in key areas. 

The wet heavy conditions made it very difficult to score. With every possession contested, any score was hard to come by.  

Being stifled by no bench to rotate our players through, Amy and I had to rely on our on-field rotations to rest our players, moving them from off ball to on ball positions to allow some reprieve. Raelene and Tori helped Lexie in the ruck, while Matilda and Leah rotated with Jess and Fenix in the on-ball positions. Ava moving from forward to centre and Ella coming off the back line to centre half forward. Shayla moved from the back line to full forward with great effect. Clara moved from centre to full back. Summer moved from back line to wing and Anouk and Gypsy moved from wings to forward roles. 

The game was very close from start to finish. At half time they lead by less than a kick. The third quarter was a scoreless arm wrestle. The last quarter was more of the same. We had our chances as did they, with no team able to add substantially to their tally for most of the quarter. Our tired legs after a long hard game in the wet against twenty players saw The Basin scramble a goal in the last minute and a half to take a hard-earned victory.  

This is what we can do with an undermanned side up against ladder leaders. If nothing else, today’s display shows that these girls are a special group, and I have no doubt this group will continue to improve. 

A big thank-you to Amy again for her input, especially at times when rotations were needed, and options were tight. Paul, our reliable mentor and trainer who filled the tactical gaps, and ensured our tired girls were not getting hurt. Bec, manager extraordinaire, reminding me to observe ‘Silent Round’ when I was getting somewhat less than silent. And a big thank-you to Lily, our stand-in runner, who did a wonderful job in Nick’s absence while he recovers from a cold.

Round 14

Matilda and Clara led the team out and away to East Ringwood. With our opponents one rung above us in the standings this was going to be another ripper of a game. 

The first half was one-way traffic - East Ringwood’s, with only inaccurate kicking keeping us in the game.  

We were giving away too many easy kicks in their forward line, and we were in danger of being walked over if the onslaught kept going. At half time, the team was told that their effort needed to lift and although we were not in finals contention, we did not want to let the game get away from us like this. We were in real danger of the floodgates being thrown open and being handed a resounding defeat. This team is capable of a lot more, and the girls agreed that they needed to and would put in a stronger effort in the second half. 

True to their word, the third quarter proved the girls’ determination and courage, because, to their credit, the girls came back strongly to be only four points down at the three-quarter time siren. 

The last stanza was another arm wrestle, a situation we have been in several times this season. The girls were on the attack most of the quarter, unlucky on several occasions not to score goals. The girls never gave in and kept going, striving for that elusive goal, but time and luck were not on our side today. 

During the game, East Ringwood, who like us for most of the season, found themselves low on player numbers due injuries and no bench. We decided to drop a player to match their on-field numbers, a gesture from our team that was not always extended to us during the season, but I believe the better sporting decision.  

To East Ringwood’s credit they held on to take the win. A great example of two evenly matched sides having a great final hit out for 2024. 

Thank-you to Amy for co-ordinating rotations and keeping fresh legs on the ground – something we were not used to. Paul, our mentor and trainer, made sure the girls’ wellbeing was paramount, keeping an eye on a couple of girls who picked up knocks and twinges during the game. Bec, again the best manager a team can have (, helping me stay cool when I called her on arrival at the ground, finding no-one there and thinking I was at the wrong oval). Nick our runner back on board and clocking up the k’s. Thank-you. 

This year has been a real learning experience for me as a new coach, and I have enjoyed watching the girls progress as a team throughout the season. Presentation night will not be an easy task with so many girls worthy of recognition and accolades for their efforts this year. 

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