I can’t believe it’s all over.
What a way to end the season. The wind was fierce and so were those Port Melbourne Colts. A little cocky with their top of the ladder finish, they were champing at the bit to knock us out of their way and into the finals. We may have started the season with a 50-point loss to them, but boy have we come a long way since then. It wasn’t quite enough on Sunday though, and I can’t believe we’re out. It’s been so much fun watching the girls get better every week, as a team, and as individual players.
But back to the game. The Colts were out of the gates fast. With the wind in their favour, they kicked two goals and a bag full of points in the first quarter. Our girls rallied, and in the second quarter I’m pretty sure we kept them scoreless. The tension was palpable on the sidelines, plenty of screams of encouragement and exasperation. However, Squiz kicked a point and finally, we were on the board.
The next few quarters were a battle of wills, and the howling wind. The ball went up and down the field with both teams only scrounging a few more points each for the rest of the game.
Nice kicks and marks from Mika. Daisy was consistently strong, clearing the ball and kicking it forward, and even managed her signature dive roll. Lottie was dangerous, taking on girls twice her height. How about those high tackles? Batman flicked on the angry switch, broke through the pack and kicked another point for the Rovers.
Mia K’s marking and kicking was commendable, and Aliyah was smooth throughout. Everyone went up to the challenge and put their bodies on the line. Lizzie was strong in defence and her ability to kick backwards is now legendary.
In late news, Mika took a nasty blow to the head and has mild concussion. She’ll be OK, but she needs bed rest for a few days and no sport for two weeks. We hope you get better soon Mika and can’t believe you battled on.
Back in the rooms at the end of the game, we were a little disheartened especially hearing the Colts bang out their song through the paper-thin walls. We were only a few goals down at the final siren, which shows you just how much of an arm wrestle it was. Thinking back to the start of the season however, we must remember, that we would never have dreamt of getting this far. It really is a herculean effort from every girl to have stormed our way to the finals in Division 1.
AWARDS
Callum and Pete, our gracious coaches all year, read out the Awards (in no particular order):
Daisy was applauded as BOG for her stunning work through the mid field
Eloise for being diligent and focused as captain today and at training throughout the season
Leni for her determination
Esme for a fantastic return (we’ve missed you!)
Aliyah for playing “out of her mind” and her stunning improvement through the year
Lizzie for her strong, physical game and her legendary kicking straight up or behind
Maddie for being our hardest tackler and getting good clearances
Mia S for her height and great impact on the game
Shanti for her comeback after injury and improving “out of this world”
Mika for her ability to shut an opposition player down and being a key contributor to winning games so often
Caitlin for being eager (bugging Callum to take on a challenge) and for having a ripper game today
Batman for turning it on when it counts, “I want to put girls in the dirt!”
Lottie for being so smooth with the ball and a joy to watch
Lily for putting her body on the line and going in for the tackle
Elicia for punching above her weight, and height
Emily for her efforts down forward, the quiet achiever
Mia K for being the best sweeper and her ability to pick up the coach’s direction so quickly
Well done all and see you at the Awards night next week.
