Roxburgh Park is showing plenty of heart in the Essendon District Football League women’s competition.
The Magpies have struggled against the more experienced sides but have been more competitive against the lower-ranked teams in the competition, including a win against Avondale Heights-Taylors Lakes.
Magpies coach Jamie Lunt said it had been tough going early on for the side, which sits 1-4.
“We’re still learning the game,” he said.
“You can just tell that some of the other sides have been together since juniors.
“We’ve been playing well, but we don’t have the numbers.”
The Magpies have played with just 18 players for two of their matches, while injuries left them with just 15 players in another game.
At one stage it looked like they would have to forfeit Sunday’s game against Hillside because of player injuries and unavailability.
They managed to get enough players to take to the field and were more than competitive against the Sharks.
The Magpies led by 13 points at half-time, before running out of legs, losing 6.10 (46)-5.2 (32).
Kate Nicolaou kicked two goals for the Magpies, while Jaymi Lei Boreham and Trish Devine were the Magpies best. Lunt said the likes of Trish Devine, Jaymi Lei Boreham, Emma Cranston and Chloe McIntosh had been some of the standout players for the side this season.
He said he was hoping things would get a bit easier when they played more sides towards their end of the ladder.
Lunt, in his first year coaching the side, said he was enjoying the challenge of coaching women.
“They are totally different to coaching the guys,” he said. “The girls are more open to what you think. I’m loving the challenge.”
Lunt said the team was looking for players, who are 18 and above, and wanted to play a game.
He said any one of any ability was welcome to join and everyone would get plenty of opportunity to play.
“Most of the girls are wanting to play and play with their mates.
“It’s a really good club and the girls are all busting their arses.”
Only two matches were played at the weekend in a split round of competition.
In the other match, Burnside Heights easily accounted for Westmeadows 11.8 (74)-1.2 (8). In the second round this weekend, Craigieburn faces Keilor, Sunbury Lions host Avondale Heights-Taylors Lakes, Sunbury Kangaroos play Pascoe Vale and Aberfedie faces Strathmore.
