By Tara Murray
Laurimar is hoping to play finals in the Northern Football League Women’s division 3 competition this year – after nearly not fielding a team at all.
With just five players at the start of pre-season, with a number leaving to play closer to home, the situation was grim.
But the Power dug in to notch up its first win – getting a team on the park.
Power coach Darren Fox said everyone was on the same page.
“We owe part of our success so far this season to the players that had faith in our team, our team manager Sally Williams and assistant coaches Scott Toull and Jake Densley who bring a wealth of knowledge to the team,” he said.
“We only had five players so we recruited really hard and we now have 26 players from across different clubs, including Diamond Creek and the St Kilda Sharks. They’ve brought a lot of talent and diversity with them.
“We’ve got players who want to come to our club.”
Despite playing in a brand new side, the Power players have gelled and won five matches – three more than they did for the whole of last season.
Fox said the experience that some of the new players had brought in was invaluable.
Among those to join the club are Renee Grant, Nicole Aldridge, Georgina Goodman, Sarah Scheggia, Dani Toull and Candice Collins.
Scheggia and Grant are among the leaders in the competition best player award.
“They’ve brought the skills and good attitudes, which is really important to the club,” Fox said.
“The new recruits are helping mould the younger girls and new players. All the girls are putting in the hard work.”
Former captain Donna Keogh, who retired at the end of last season, decided to return this year to help out and add some extra experience.
The Power is third with a 5-5 record.
On Sunday, Laurimar defeated VU Western Spurs 1.2 (8)-1.1 (7).
Aldridge was the goal kicker for the Power, with Tessa Mitchell named their best.
Fox said he could see them being in the top four at season’s end.
“It’s really competitive in the third division,” he said.
“The whole division is really evenly matched and there’s no walkovers.
“Injuries are hurting us a little bit, but I can see us finishing in the top four.”
As well as having a senior women’s team, the club has three junior girls sides.
Fox said the club was working hard on getting the under-18s involved with the women’s team.
In other results, Mernda lost a low-scoring match to Wallan 1.5 (11)-1.4 (10).
In division 2, South Morang beat Eltham 6.8 (44)-0.1 (1). The Lions are in second place.
In division 1,Bundoora beaten 10.11 (71)-1.2 (8) by Darebin Falcons 1.
