Tara Murray
Burnside Heights is enjoying the challenge of the Essendon District Football League women’s division 1 competition.
Having dropped down from premier division after finishing bottom last season, the Bears have been competitive in every match this season.
On Saturday, the Bears got their best win of the season, travelling up to Gisborne and coming away with a 7.3 (45)-5.4 (34) win.
There was nothing in the game all day, with the lead changing throughout the quarters. The Bulldogs led by two points heading into the final quarter.
Three goals to one in the final quarter was enough for the Bears to get the win and lock in third spot.
Bears president Justin Peagram said for the girls it was really good to come away with a win like that
“The girls were really excited to get through and get a hard fought win like that,” he said.
“It was a tough fame and a really good hit out for the girls to get over the line
“A wind like that puts the wind in the sails.”
Peagram said dropping down a division meant they were playing competitive games every week and allowed some of the new players to develop their game at a skill level more suited to them.
He said the return of some key players from injury and pregnancy had also helped.
He highlighted Kayla Ravanello, Krissy Trang and ruck Holly McGregor, as they players who have had really good seasons,
The side though is without Sina Mason, who suffered a serious knee injury earlier in the season.
Peagram said Mason, who coaches their under-10s, keeps telling everyone she will be back later in the season.,
The Bears now sit in third spot having played every team once. Peagram said it was a really even competition,
“The division is good and we’ve had really competitive games against Essendon Doutta Stars and Greenvale,” he said.
“Against Doutta Stars it was fairly even, but it didn’t show on the scoreboard. Gisborne had more polish.
“Yesterday [Saturday] it was two even teams and we were able to get over the line.”
Peagram said the group was keen to make finals this season and then go from there.
This week the Bears face Tullamarine.
It was a good weekend for the Bears, with their senior men’s side also getting a win against Hadfield.
The Bears held a slim lead throughout the first half, before kicking six goals to nil in the third quarter to open up a 41 point lead.
The Hawks made some inroads in the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough with the Bears winning, 11.9 (75)-6.10 (46).
Tyson Igleslas was named the Bears best player.
The Bears now sit in fourth spot, with three wins and three losses.
