By Tara Murray
The next couple of weeks will be key for Westmeadows as it sets up its Essendon District Football League Women’s premier division season.
The Tigers sit 3-1, with the only slip-up a loss to one of the pacesetters Aberfeldie. Their record shows they are likely to be in the mix again come finals.
Tigers coach Matty Walker said the next few weeks could put them in a good position.
“We play Sunbury Lions, then Burnside in a preliminary final rematch, and then Keilor on Ladies Day in the next couple of weeks,” he said before Sunday’s game against the Sunbury Lions.
“Hopefully we can go 2-1 or even 3-0, which will help us set ourselves up.
“We have a decent draw after that.”
On Sunday, the Tigers ticked off the first of those wins, beating the Lions in a low scoring match, 1.10 (16)-0.1 (1).
Walker said there had been some good signs so far, with several players kicking their first goals.
He said while Aberfeldie is a good side, they know they can match it with them.
“We got them at the wrong time,” he said.
“We had a few out and were undermanned. We were missing five or six players, so that is a fair few out.
“They play a good quality of football and you definitely have to be on your game.
“We will give them a run for their money next time if we get our best team on the park.”
Walker said they had kept most of the core group of players together this season, which had been a big bonus.
He said new players to the team, such as Kirzty Brady and Melanie Pill, had already made an impact.
With a strong group of under-18s coming through, he said some youngsters would get opportunities.
The Tigers were dealt two early blows in the season, with key players Danielle Linton and Emily Law, suffering knee injuries.
Linton, who was injured in a practise is out for the season after doing her ACL.
Law, who came across from Keilor in the off season, will hopefully return later in the season.
Walker said the inclusion of Renae Schwarze, who has played more than 100 games of football, had helped cover the loss of Linton.
“It’s handy to have another target down there,” he said.
“She’s kicked 12 goals in the first two games.”
After missing a grand final spot by three points last season, Walker said they were keen to go at least one step further this year.
“Hopefully we’ll get to the grand final,” he said.
“We sat down as a side and set what goals we wanted to achieve.
“We don’t want to go backwards. We haven’t lost that many players and have picked up some players.
“We still have a good core group.”
In other results, Craigieburn lost to Hillside.
In division 1, Greenvale got its first ever win.
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www.starweekly.com.au/sports/roxburgh-park-breaks-through/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/east-sunbury-on-a-roll-with-a-big-win-over-keilor-park/
