Tara Murray
The Calder Cannons are ready to take to the field in the Coates Talent League girls competition this weekend.
After a longer pre-season than usual, with the season starting later than it normally has, the Cannons have put plenty of work out on the track.
Coach Ross Smith said it had been a good pre-season.
“It’s been the longest we’ve ever had,” he said. “We did a bit less before Christmas as we knew it was going to be long.
“We have our last practice match this week [March 27] which will be a full dress rehearsal.”
Smith said the list was in good shape at the moment with not many injuries.
Maddison Albrecht will miss some football early after having a non-football related procedure.
“We’ve had a couple of girls come good at the right time,” he said.
“We’ll play all the 18s less Maddy, pending on fitness in the practice match. We’ve added some new 18-year-olds which is always nice.
“The girls have developed a little bit later on and been added to the list.”
Smith said all three would play early in the season.
Smith said the list breakdown was similar to last season.
He said they had two 19-year-olds on the list, not wanting to have too many on the list. He said they would push for both to play some Victorian Football League Women’s matches this season.
They have one more 18-year-old and one more 17-year-old on the list than 12 months ago.
Smith said they would also add nine players who have been part of their under-16 program.
“We have a final list of 41,” he said. “With the extra games we felt we needed it.
“When I started the boys played five practice matches and it was an 18 round season which was a long season.
“The girls have never been as long and it all got cut back due to COVID in recent times. The boys will have one more than us.
“It’s nice to have a 14 game season.”
The Cannons playing group has selected co-captains for this season in Ava Gerada and Grace Azzopardi.
Chloe Baker-West, Amelia Wright and Camryn Bux have been named joint vice-captains.
Smith said there were plenty of girls who were already putting their names up for higher honours.
“Kayla Forbes is in the Vic Metro program already,” he said. “A couple of the 18s like Jayla Rutley, Stephanie Mitchell, Grace Azzopardi and Michaela Chalhoub could be in the mix as well.
“Of the 17s, Chloe Baker-West and Jade McLay are in the squad and possibly Shauna McElligott could be another.”
The Cannons start their season on Saturday against the Northern Knights.
