Wet, cold, gale force winds; these were the challenging conditions for our girls this week. But we didn’t give up, and as Shannah said: “These are the days that make for memories.”
Blinded by the rain, we were a little stunned by the end of the first quarter and Prahran definitely had the upper hand. My notes are a soggy mess but I’m pretty sure there was some tough tackling from Aliyah, Eloise and Mia S. Lottie was solid on the sideline cheering and teeth chattering. She’s only got a week and a day before that blasted cast is off. We’re looking forward to your return and Andrew screaming, “Go Lotta!”
The girls were soaked but Callum and Pete had words of encouragement as they ran back into the fray. It was hard enough trying to keep our umbrellas from blowing in, let alone marking the ball. Another two goals to Prahran meant we had to dig deep. Their mid field was hard to beat, well-structured and consistently skillful and strong. One Hampton kick collected a Prahran head but that didn’t stop them. Stefi and Leni were dogged in defence.
The rain pelted down, and the wind howled into the second quarter. No amount of dancing or star jumping could keep the girls warm. We even resorted to huddles with opposition players (so cute). Then the sky thundered and lightening flashed, the siren sounded, and the girls screamed and ran for their lives, or as if Justin Bieber was in club rooms. Or was that just me?
“Do we have to go back on?”, “What are the rules?”, “Can we go home yet?” said ALL of us. My pants were soaked, Pete’s hair looked like wet dog, but Katie was toasty in her Winter Olympics uber jacket. Looking good.
No weather is going to stop the SMJFL girls footy comp though! We were back on the ground to face those Prahran warriors. And did our Hampton girls fight back? Oh yes, they did. The rain relented slightly, and even the wind seemed to drop in deference.
Despite the burning red hands, and the chicken wing arms left to the mercy of the elements, we showed them what we’re made of. Mia K kicked a goal, Aliyah a point. Maddie thought with her feet, narrowly missing her target, but showcasing a perfect passage of play. Lizzie was strong, tall, and good on the mark.
“Footy is a winter sport”, said Callum, “And we’ve got to learn how to play when it’s wet, when it’s cold, and when it’s hard.” But I thought Leni’s comment was spot on: “If it’s a winter sport, then why do they make us play in summer, basketball tops?”
The girls did us proud despite going down by a few goals or so. Our second half was much better than our first, which shows that we don’t give up and that’s what’s it’s all about.
Best on ground to Lizzie, tough all day today; well deserved. Awards to Stefi, the quiet achiever, who played the role Callum asked of her, and Leni had her best game yet. Eloise got the award for best at training, consistent and conscientious. Well done to all the girls for soldiering on in those bloody awful conditions.
