By Tara Murray
Injuries haven’t halted the progress of South Morang in Northern Football League Women’s division 2.
With just 23 players on their list, any injury has an impact on the Lions’ playing numbers.
But despite that, they are in the top four and have won eight of their 10 matches.
Lions coach Gary Moran said the players were galvanised.
“We have probably done a little bit better than I thought we would,” he said.
“We’ve struggled for numbers with injuries and had 16 or 17 players in some games.
“Credit to the girls – they’ve still been finding ways to win.”
Moran said most of the injuries had involved four to five weeks of recovery, meaning players are out for several games.
The Lions playing group, though, is experienced – and that is showing through.
Several players are around the 100-game mark, while most have played 40 to 50 games.
Moran said that experience helped on field.
“We have a couple of first year players and a couple who have come up from juniors,” he said. “They are all quite close off field.
“They know each others games and they know what everyone is capable of.”
Moran said they had benefited from the return of Demi-lee Hallett, who is the runaway leader in the division coach’s most valuable player award.
Cassie Hurst and Paris Schmiedel are also in the top five of the voting. Schmiedel has come up from under-19s this season.
Moran said Kellie Lynch was another to watch. She is set to return from a head injury in coming weeks.
South Morang, coming off the bye, will this week face St Mary’s before finishing the season against Darebin Falcons 2.
Moran said having a tough run home would be good preparation for finals, for which they have already qualified.
“We’ve played St Mary’s twice already and those matches have been fairly competitive,” he said.
“We haven’t played Darebin so we’re not sure what to expect … VU Spurs is probably the team to beat.
“We want the girls playing under extra pressure and ready for finals.”
