Tara Murray
Hillside will take some time to click in the Essendon District Football League women’s premier division competition,
The Sharks are without a win after the first two matches, but have played last season’s finalists Oak Park and Keilor.
Sharks coach Rob Davis said they were still finding their feet this season.
“It’s been a little bit up and down start to the season,” he said. “We’re coming off a good pre-season, but we’ve had a little bit of mix and match of players available early in the season.
“I didn’t think we would connect straight away, but we are not too far off.
“It might take us half way through the year to find our straps and start pushing for finals, it is what it will be.”
Davis said there had been some changes to the playing list with a few girls dropping out, while some others had joined the club.
He said it would take time for the girls to adjust, but was happy with how things are going so far.
Davis said the opening two rounds had been mixed for the club.
“The first game we didn’t come to play until half way through the game,” he said. “The game against Keilor was a competitive game, but we didn’t have umpires so it wasn’t a real reflection of where the two teams are at.
“We are going okay. It takes a few weeks for every side to adjust to the competition, but that’s no excuse.”
The Sharks, like many other sides, have a number of Victorian Football League Women’s players in their sides, but Davis said that isn’t something they worry about.
The Sharks had the bye on the weekend, having played on Good Friday. Davis said it came at a good time.
“The girls ran pretty hard on the weekend,” he said. “They have a little bit of time to reflect on the game and adjust for the next game.”
The Sharks face Aberfeldie this Saturday.
In other women’s results, Burnside Heights made it two from two in the division 1 competition.
The Bears were able to build throughout the match on the way to a 9.9 (63)-0.1 (1) win.
Kayla Ravenello continued her good form up forward kicking four goals.
In the men’s division 1 competition, Hillside is undefeated after beating Craigieburn.
The Eagles led at quarter time before the Sharks started to find momentum. They continued to build throughout on the way to a 17.18 (120)-10.15 (75) win.
The Sharks have a bye this week having played their round three match on Good Friday.
