By Tara Murray
Caroline Springs put together a good first up performance to come away with a convincing win against Yarraville Seddon in the Western Football League women’s competition.
The Lakers showed no signs of rust in the opening round match as they controlled the contest throughout to come away with an 11.4 (70)-0.4 (4) win.
Lakers coach Alex O’Shea said it was nice to be back out on the field and see the group put together all the hard work and effort they had done during the pre-season.
“It was a good game, Yarraville Seddon is a very respected side,” she said. “We stuck at our structures and focused on what we wanted to focus on and stuck to the game plan.
“We played four quarters of footy and we were happy with the effort.”
Jacinta Kondis kicked four goals for the Lakers and was named among their best with Nyomi Stowers and Jordin Williamson.
O’Shea said it was a really even team contribution across all the lines.
It’s been a good off season for the Lakers, who are hoping to go one step further than last season.
O’Shea said they have now put last season behind them.
“We’ve put in the hard yards in the past couple of years,” she said. “Last year and the way it panned out, we didn’t take our opportunities.
“It’s stuck with a lot of girls over the pre-season. It was a learning curve and how we want to improve and what we want to implement this season.
The Lakers have been able to strengthen their squad with some key additions.
“The Stevens sisters [Ebony and Brodie] have come across from Burnside Heights and have played a lot of women’s footy and have great experience and skills,” O’Shea said.
“Akima Manoah [joint league best and fairest winner] comes from the Suns and brings a high level of experience. She reached out to us and we invited her down and she enjoyed herself and decided to stay.
“Vanessa Baldwin was a Caroline Springs junior and has come back to the club. They all want to be part of the program and we have more depth in the team.
A big plus for the Lakers this season is the return of their reserves side.
The team is playing in the Essendon District Football League reserves competition and started with a win also against Yarraville Seddon.
“It gives opportunity for the girls who have different aspirations for footy,” O’Shea said.
“Some want to have a social kick and a bit of fun. We have the opportunity for seniors or reserves and no one is missing out.”
Meanwhile, Caroline Springs and Yarraville Seddon men’s sides played out another thriller with the Eagles getting over the line.
The Eagles led at every break, including by 36 points at three quarter time as the Lakers failed to convert in front of goal.
The Lakers came home hard in the final quarter, kicking 5.5 to two points but it wasn’t enough as they fell just short, 9.15 (69)-11.6 (72).
Malik Elfakahani and Tate Wood kicked two goals each for the Lakers. Lachlan Mellon, Alipate Bryant and Ben Caluzzi were named their best.
In division 2, Western Rams lost to Sunshine Heights.
