Melton Centrals got a good indication of where they sit in the AFL Goldfields Women’s competition when they took on second-placed East Point on Sunday.
For Centrals, who went into the match 2-1, it proved to be a tough day.
They went scoreless in the first three quarters in the 8.12 (60)-1.1 (7) loss.
Speaking before the match, Centrals coach Stephen Holmes said he expected the East Point game to give them plenty of things to work on.
“I think we have improved out of sight, everyone is committed as a team now,” he said.
“East Point is sitting second on the ladder and we are fourth, so it’s a good opportunity to have a good look to see where we are able to improve.”
Holmes said he had been thrilled with the start to the season, especially considering the side struggled for numbers for much of the pre-season.
He said having enough players for a bench had been fantastic and allowed the side to run rotations.
“We have between 20 and 30 registered players now,” he said. “That gives us the use of the interchanges … we can always have more though.”
Holmes, in his first season as coach, said he was enjoying what he said was a big learning curve.
“I’ve played footy all my life,” he said. “My daughter plays at the club and I saw they were after a coach.
“I thought I might give it a crack as I thought I had a lot to offer.”
Holmes said he had seen a lot of improvement in the players across the board, with Alanna Porter leading from the front.
“She does everything on the field and beyond it, does a lot of work for the club,” he said. “She’s an exceptional leader and always on the ball.”
He said Alaynna Neve, Sarah Simmons, Linda Morren and Tara McKean were some of the experienced players who had stepped up on the field, while Kyllie Garrett was doing a mountain of work off the field as well.
Of the younger players, Janelle Porter, in her first year, was impressing.
Holmes said the side had set no expectations for this season.
“I just want to do better than last year,” he said.
“It’s a learning season for me and if we make finals that’s fantastic.”
In other results, Darley lost to Ballarat
8.11 (59)-2.5 (17).
Bacchus Marsh won a thriller against Lake Wendouree.
The Cobras started the better of the two teams and led by 13 points at half-time.
The Lakers reduced the margin to two points at the last change.
Both sides kicked a goal in the final quarter, giving the Bacchus Marsh a 7.6 (48)-6.8 (44) victory.
