Tara Murray
Greenvale has become more adaptable in the Essendon District Football League women’s division 1 competition this season.
With some injuries, unavailability and players out for long periods, the Jets have had to look at different players in different roles.
Coach Troy Newton said it had been a positive start to the season.
“I’m pretty happy,” he said. “We’ve played some really good quarters and looked good at times.
“Three out of four isn’t bad. Burnside Heights [who they lost to] we expect them to be hard to beat.
“Hopefully we’re at our best when we play them again.”
Newton said this season they were seeing more players in different roles out of necessity, which would only benefit the team in the long term.
They lost Chanel Caruso, who moved to play premier football with Hillside, while skipper Paige Caparello is out for the season with pregnancy.
With the side not having a lot of height, Newton said the loss of Caparello, who has been their main ruck hurts.
Zoe Hardiman is yet to play this season due to work commitments.
“They are in our top half a dozen players,” Newton said of the three. “It hurts but it gives some of the younger girls more opportunities which is good for their development.
“We’ve also lost our full back for the season after an injury in a practice match and we have another defender out for six to eight weeks.”
Newton said they were seeing encouraging signs for those who have taken on new roles.
Nicolette Paschalis is playing further up the ground, while Rhiannon O’Keefe has gone from playing in a pocket onto the wing.
Taliah O’Connor is another who has moved up onto the wing, but she is out for six to eight weeks with an injury now.
Recruit Sophie Pettman, who was set to play at either half back or half forward, has had to play in the middle of the ground and has been good,
Riley Anderson has gone from being in the midfield rotation to playing in the back line.
“It gives us a bit more versatility,” Newton said. “It’s not something that we’ve had in the past.
“This year we’ll be more adaptable and can use that in the big games.”
The Jets this week face Strathmore-Pascoe Vale, the only side they are yet to play this season.
Newton said they were keen to keep on building.
